Jamal Bieniemy opts in, commits to Oklahoma

Oklahoma has become known for its ability to evaluate and land versatile prospects that fit their system. Jamal Bieniemy, a wiry and skilled 6-foot-4 guard that can do a litany of things in the backcourt, became the latest find for the OU staff as the top-150 junior has committed.

Bringing excellent size, length and ball skills to the perimeter, Bieniemy is the type of ballplayer that can play point, shooting guard or wing at any given time. Suiting up for the Houston Hoops travel program this summer, while his numbers aren’t mind-blowing, it is his ability to play various spots on the floor and dabble in the miscellaneous that caught Oklahoma’s eye.

“They love his versatility and playmaking skills,” Troy Bieniemy, the father of Jamal Bieniemy, said. “They think he can guard the one through three and will look for him to be more of a lead combo type once Trae (Young) leaves for the NBA.”

Oklahoma made giant waves on the hardwood two years ago by reaching the Final Four and caused a giant stir this past winter by landing the commitment of five-star 2017 guard Trae Young. Bieniemy, though not as recruited as hastily as Young had, still boasted offers from programs such as LSU, Creighton, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M.

It was Lon Kruger’s hands-on approach and the fact that the staff in Norman made Bieniemy a priority that won out at the end of the day.

“Their staff was relentless trying to convince us that Jamal was a priority,” Troy Bieniemy said. “Carlin Hartman, in particular, was on Jamal since arriving at OU. Once Coach Kruger got involved, he really turned up the effort and made a giant impression on my wife.”

After securing a top-25 recruiting within the 2017 class, Oklahoma is now off to a tremendous start in 2018 upon landing Bieniemy, the 122nd ranked prospect in his class nationally and the type of prospect that should flourish under the tutelage of Kruger.