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 See you, OU Sooners forward Humphrey prepares to transfer
Posted: Monday April 05, 1999 10:31 PM
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- Oklahoma forward Ryan Humphrey, third on the school's career blocked shots list after just two seasons, has decided to play elsewhere, coach Kelvin Sampson said Monday. Sampson said Humphrey had asked for and been granted a release to transfer to another school. "This is something he wanted to do," Sampson said. "We talked about it and he sat on it for a couple days, then came back and said that's what he wanted to do. "When a kid wants to do something, I just don't think a head coach should hold that over him or not give him his wishes. Ryan wanted to transfer." Humphrey, a 6-foot-8 sophomore, averaged 11.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game this past season while playing nearly 27 minutes per game. He averaged two blocks per game and compiled 119 blocks in his 63 games. "I've enjoyed my two years at the University of Oklahoma," Humphrey said in a statement issued by the school's sports information office. "I wish my teammates and the coaching staff the best. They've been very supportive of me. The people of Oklahoma have given me something to remember and I'll never forget it." Humphrey, a Parade and McDonald's All-American as a senior at Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, was named to the Big 12's all-freshman team in 1998 after averaging nine points and a team-high 6.5 rebounds per game. Sampson said the idea of transferring had been broached previously. "There was not great shock value in our office [about Humphrey's decision]," Sampson said. "There's a little disappointment and maybe some shock when it does happen. But at the same time, you've got to think this is what the kid wanted, so don't be selfish about it. "This happens. This is part of programs." He said the departure won't affect Oklahoma's recruiting plans for the spring signing period, which begins Wednesday. "We had four big guys coming back, and that included Ryan," Sampson said. "We're going to sign an up-front guy during this April signing period and that will leave us with four again."
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