Tanner Groves, one of the breakout stars of the NCAA Tournament in Eastern Washington, has committed himself to Oklahoma to play basketball, sources told ESPN.
Groves, a big man of 9 feet, scored Big Sky Conference Player of the Year after scoring 17.2 points and 8.0 rebounds last season. He shot 34.9% from the three-point range and 56% from the field. He scored nine doubles, including 14 points and 14 boards in the Big Sky title game against Montana State.
Groves increased his stock dramatically in the NCAA Tournament, scoring 35 points and scoring five tries in a first-round pick against Kansas. Eastern Washington was double figures higher than the Jayhawks in the second half.
Less than a week later, Portland hired Eagles coach Shantay Legans and Groves decided to enter the transfer portal.
He cut his list before Sunday’s decision to a final four from the Sooners, Portland, Texas and Washington state.
Groves is the first major addition of Oklahoma coach Porter Moser since arriving in Norman to replace Lon Kruger, who retired after the season. Moser needed a replacement for forward Brady Manek, who transferred to North Carolina last week.
Tanner’s brother, Jacob Groves, also entered the transfer portal last month. It is unclear whether he will follow his brother from Eastern Washington to Oklahoma.