Leary off to Oklahoma

Oklahoma's search for a point guard in the 2007 recruiting class has certainly stretched longer than most Sooners had anticipated. As the summer approaches the Sooners received news on Friday they were no longer in the race for McDonald's All-American Jai Lucas, but was not known was the point guard expected in Norman for the weekend.

Northeastern (CO) Junior College star point guard Omar Leary received a release from his signature with Colorado State after they had made a coaching change this past April. He was in Norman this weekend to check out the University of Oklahoma and it did not take long for things to fall into place between Leary and the Sooners.

"I committed to Oklahoma today," Leary said. "I'll sign my letter of intent tomorrow. I felt like it's the best opportunity for me to take my game to new heights that I couldn't think of before. (I want to) come out of there with a degree and as a better person."

The news of the weekend was initially former UCLA transfer prospect Ryan Wright visiting Norman. However, Leary snuck in under the radar and became the big news on Sunday.

"(Oklahoma coaches) made it a point when they came to see me," he said. "They only had two more visits. They said to me, 'So we can't bring in someone on a visit who's not serious about coming here.' So as soon as the visit was solidifed I was pretty comfortable with the situation knowing the offer was on the table.

"It physically got put on the table for me this morning over breakfast with the coaches."

Leary told the coaches this morning he was going to go home and sign with Oklahoma on Monday. Why was the decision so easy for the 5-foot-11, 170-pound point guard?

"I knew I'd go somewhere I was wanted, but it feels good to have a new breath of fresh air," he said. "I was talking to various schools and had some visits set up, but I decided to pull the trigger and settle into my situation at Oklahoma. They are in need of a point guard and I think I could really help their program."

With the point guard position officially pinned down the new question rise as to what kind of player the Sooners should be expecting to bring into Norman next fall.

"I like to win," he said. "I will do anything it takes to win whether that means being a vocal leader or distributor or scorer. I have a lot of ways to be effective."

As a point guard at Northeastern Junior College, Leary led his team to a 66-6 record. The left-handed point guard averaged 13 points and seven assists this past season and shot 49-percent from behind the perimeter.

He was, also, one of the outstanding performers at the NCJAA National Championships last month averaging 22 points and seven assists in four tournament games.