Las Vegas – Two phrases rolled up the tongue to Brooks Barnhizer When he spoke of one among his Thunder’s summer time league Deputy coaches, Ryan Greer.
“Coach Greer” referred to as him Barnhizer with confidence.
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Others on the Barnhizer shoe would have tripped on these phrases. The will to be casual when a pal was referenced would have been too sturdy, since he performed collectively Northwest For a season in 2021-2022.
However Greer confirmed the qualities of management of a coach on the time. That is what makes the official title pure for Barnhizer now that the previous teammates met as a participant of participant coach.
“It was actually cool,” stated Barnhizer. “(Greer) was actually large in my improvement in Northwestern and reassuring the kind of participant I might be. … I’m actually grateful to have it right here.”
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The previous northwest goalkeeper Ryan Greer (photograph in 2019) is as an assistant coach within the Thunder’s summer time league staff.
The northwest head coach Chris Collins nonetheless remembers when he first crossed Barnhizer on the recruitment path.
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Northwestern had a recreation on the street towards Purge On December 8, 2019. The boilermakers are situated in West Lafayette, Indiana, which is 10 minutes by automotive by way of the Wabash river, from the place Barnhizer performed in highschool.
Collins and one among his assistants due to this fact made the quick journey to observe Barnhizer, a junior at Jefferson Excessive on the time, the day earlier than their match.
Barnhizer stuffed the statistics sheet with 27 factors, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, two interceptions and two blocks in a 99-55 victory towards McCutcheon. However none of those figures stood out in Collins as a lot as Barnhizer’s ardour for the sport.
“I am large on this,” stated Collins Oklahoman. “He simply had an vitality for him, a bop in his step, competitiveness and a spirit on the sector. You noticed him straight away, 5 minutes to observe him play.”
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Northwestern was the primary and the one Massive Ten program that supplied Barnhizer a scholarship, which he accepted. Sadly, he couldn’t hit the ground as soon as he joined the Wildcats due to a damaged foot which he all the time recovered.
It was a irritating interval for Barnhizer, who had bother breaking the rotation as a recruit even when he turned wholesome. However it was additionally roughly on the identical time he approached Greer, who was a senior.
Greer solely made two profession begins in 4 seasons in Northwestern, and but he was thought-about a staff captain. He knew each bit as if there could be a last examination on them. He knew use these books on opponents with important skills.
And Greer knew when one among his teammates wanted an elevator, which is why he turned a mentor to Barnhizer.
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“He actually taught me the ins and outs, simply the little issues in college basketball,” stated Barnhizer. “Like, the place to be and be the best with what you may work with. He and I aren’t probably the most athletic guys within the group, however we are able to have constructive impacts on the defensive and know every little thing on the offensive aspect and be merely clever with the ball.
“And likewise, he was like a father of the staff. It is humorous to say that, nevertheless it’s actually what he was. He was all the time simply on the lookout for everybody. … He is so mature. If you happen to have been to have a dialog with him, you’d assume he was 45 years outdated. However he is like 20 (24).”
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January 26, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, United States; The northwest Wildcats goalkeeper Brooks Barnhizer (13), the ball towards the Illinois combating the Illini Kasparas Jakucionis (32) throughout the second half on the State Farm Middle.
Greer confirmed the primary traits of teaching, which didn’t shock Collins.
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Even when Greer was recruited outdoors the highschool, the three -star prospect of Atlanta informed Collins that he hoped someday to enter coaching. That is why he selected to not use his final 12 months of eligibility in 2022-2010 and quite joined Notre Dame’s workers as a improvement and recruitment coordinator.
Greer then joined OKC the next season as a video analyst and is now assistant coach for the staff’s summer time race race in Salt Lake Metropolis and Las Vegas.
“I am actually pleased with Ryan,” stated Collins. “I feel the factor earlier than transferring on to the coaching I all the time informed him was simply to enter, work laborious and be accessible for every little thing the staff wants you. … Simply present that you’re able to do every little thing you should assist the staff succeed.”
Collins needed to give the identical recommendation to Barnhizer.
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The 6 -inch 6 -inch striker turned a participant to do for Northwestern by the top of his 4 -year college profession. He arrived in his place in assault. He stole from every place from the bottom in protection. And he noticed all of the teammates who wanted assist alongside the way in which, simply as Greer did for him.
“I am simply making an attempt to have a constructive affect wherever I’m going,” stated Barnhizer. “Whether or not it is locations, individuals or a staff. … I am actually pleased with that. I am simply making an attempt to be somebody of a excessive character as a result of I feel your character should match your name. If I feel my vocation is actually excessive, my character too.”
Barnhizer recorded a median of 17.1 factors, 8.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists in his first 17 video games as a senior. However his final marketing campaign was interrupted when he re-aged a damaged foot that he had suffered the earlier summer time.
Fortuitously, Barnhizer was licensed for full basketball actions on Could 15. He then held his first coaching earlier than the cog precisely every week later in preparation for the 2025 NBA Draft.
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It was with OKC, and Greer helped handle it. The coaching went nicely for Barnhizer, who acquired constructive feedback from a well-known face.
“It was actually cool to have a full second in my coaching in my coaching earlier than the cog,” stated Barnhizer. “(Greer) was like,” hey, you killed coaching. I really feel prefer it’s a really perfect place for you. Keep in touch all through the method. “”
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Brooks Barnhizer reached a median of 17.1 factors, 8.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists final season in Northwestern, which led the Thunder to pick out it within the second spherical of the NBA draft final month.
This course of was to work lastly for 16 groups. However whereas Barnhizer’s lengthy journey earlier than the division befell, he could not assist however have a look at the place he began.
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“One thing about this place stood out,” stated Barnhizer about OKC. “I’ve one way or the other completed this course of all the time in my thoughts as if it may work, it might be cool.”
That is precisely what occurred.
Okc Barnhizer chosen within the second spherical (N ° 44 total) of the venture, and he has Since has signed it to a two -way contract.
Barnhizer should show himself if he probably needs to carve out a job within the NBA Thunder championAnd he’s already beginning to do it in the summertime league. It has a median of 9.2 factors, 6.6 rebounds, 3.6 interceptions and 1.8 assists in 5 video games.
Barnhizer should additional drop his 3 factors with extra consistency. It solely attracts 28.6% on this division. However the 23 -year -old striker learns alongside the way in which, and he has a trusted trainer in Greer.
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This is a perfect state of affairs for Barnhizer, who described it a number of occasions with two different phrases which have rolled the tongue.
“I am blessed,” stated Barnhizer.
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Justin Martinez covers sports activities for Oklahoman. Do you’ve got a narrative concept for Justin? It may be hooked up to [email protected] or on X / Twitter at @justintohoops. Register for the E-newsletter Thunder Sports activities Minute To entry NBA protection. Assist the work of Justin and that of different journalists from Oklahoman by shopping for a Digital subscription at the moment on subscription.oklahoman.com.
This text initially appeared on Oklahoman: Brooks Brooks Brooks Barnhizer “grateful” to play for the ex-team
