2028 & 2029 Sooner State Standouts at Session 9: Norman

Session 9 in Norman, OK brought the energy, passion, competition, and skill. Each guy on the floor was ready to go to work and claim what is theirs. I saw an abundance of standouts from each class. As a native of Oklahoma and a journalist for high school hoops here in the area, I already had previous knowledge of which Oklahoma hoopers would perform this weekend. To recognize them all, I will start out with the soon to be juniors of the 2028 class, then finish up with the future sophomores in the 2029 class.

2028 Standouts

Bennett Richardson | 6'3 | G | Oklahoma Chaos 16u | Heritage Hall

Bennett Richardson proved himself as one of the top guards in the gym this past weekend with his complete offensive skill set and overall consistency. The 6’3 guard earned first team honors with the way he impacted games on both ends of the floor, especially as a scorer. Richardson consistently found ways to create offense, whether attacking off the dribble, knocking down shots, or making smart reads within the flow of the game. He played with confidence, composure, and strong feel throughout the weekend while showing the ability to step up in big moments. His all-around production and leadership separated him as one of the standout performers in attendance.

Owen Wynn | 6'6 | F | Team Oklahoma 16u | Norman North

Owen Wynn impressed with his versatility, physical tools, and smooth overall game throughout the weekend. The 6’6 forward had a strong presence in the paint where he finished effectively off the glass, battled for rebounds, and used his strong base to hold position against defenders. Wynn also showed the ability to stretch the floor and knock down shots from deep, making him a difficult matchup for opposing defenses. His all-around style and feel for the game resembled a younger version of Jalen Williams from the Thunder with the way he played under control, impacted multiple areas, and stayed poised throughout the action. Wynn also flashed athleticism with his ability to elevate for dunks and rebounds, making him one of the more intriguing forwards in the event.

Josh Dockum | 6'4 | F | Oklahoma United 16u | Edmond Memorial

Josh Dockum brought toughness, versatility, and a winning mentality every time he stepped on the floor. The strong 6’4 guard/forward proved capable of doing whatever was needed for his team, whether scoring, defending, facilitating, or bringing energy. Dockum matched up effectively against positions one through four and consistently played with physicality on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he attacked downhill aggressively and created scoring opportunities for both himself and teammates. Defensively, his active hands and toughness helped disrupt opposing offenses while setting the tone for his team with his competitiveness and effort. His all-around impact made him one of the tougher matchup players in attendance.

Court Sumrall | 6'3 | SG | Team Oklahoma 16u | Okarche

Court Sumrall showcased one of the better perimeter shooting strokes of the weekend while also making a strong impact defensively. The 6’3 shooting guard consistently knocked down shots from deep range and stretched the floor with confidence every time he got clean looks. Sumrall’s long arms and instincts also made him disruptive on defense, where he frequently interrupted passing lanes and created problems for opposing ball handlers. With Okarche losing its leading scorer to graduation, Sumrall looks poised to take on a much larger offensive role this winter and could be in line for a breakout season given his shooting ability and two-way potential.

Michael Dixon | 6'2 | G/F | Oklahoma Chaos 16u | US Grant

Michael Dixon, also known as “Big Mike,” delivered one of the more impressive all-around performances of the weekend and immediately stood out with the way he impacted the game at all 94 feet. The 6’2 guard/forward played with toughness, physicality, and nonstop effort while dominating inside the paint through contact and strong finishes around the rim. Dixon rebounded aggressively, boxed out consistently, and played much bigger than his listed height because of his strength and motor. What made him even more impressive was his versatility, as he comfortably handled the ball in transition and even took coast-to-coast drives himself. Beyond the on-court production, Dixon showed strong leadership qualities by remaining loyal to US Grant following a coaching change while actively working to help build and strengthen the team around him. His toughness, versatility, and leadership made a major impression throughout the weekend.

2029 Standouts

Deacon Lyles | 6'4 | G/F | Oklahoma Chaos 15u | Newcastle

Deacon Lyles continued to prove why he is one of the more impactful young prospects in Oklahoma after averaging nearly 20 points per game this past weekend. The 6’4 guard/forward consistently set the tone for Oklahoma Chaos with his physicality, toughness, and ability to anchor the defense. Lyles made his presence felt early in games by protecting the paint, competing on every possession, and bringing energy to both ends of the floor. Offensively, he showed the ability to score efficiently while playing within the flow of the game. His combination of size, defensive intensity, and production should make him a major piece for the reigning 5A state champion Newcastle squad heading into next winter.

Cooper Beltz | 6'0 | PG | Team Oklahoma 15u | Norman

Cooper Beltz delivered one of the more explosive scoring stretches of the weekend with 12 straight points in under a minute to completely swing momentum for Team Oklahoma. The 6’0 point guard knocked down two threes and converted two and-one finishes during the run, showcasing both confidence and toughness under pressure. Beltz is an extremely crafty guard who consistently finds ways to get wherever he wants on the floor using his handle, pace, and creativity. He plays with poise and aggression while creating offense both for himself and his teammates. His ability to take over stretches of a game and make difficult plays look routine stood out throughout the event.

Brayden Ball | 5'11 | G | Team Oklahoma 15u | Westmoore

Brayden Ball showcased his scoring ability in a major way after exploding for over 20 points in a single half during one of the weekend’s games. The 5’11 guard proved to be a confident and dangerous shooter who looked comfortable from every area of the floor. Ball consistently got to his spots, played under control, and knocked down shots with confidence throughout the event. His offensive skill set and feel for scoring were evident every time he touched the ball. After already starting every varsity game as a freshman at Westmoore, Ball looks poised for an even bigger role and continued development moving forward.