Exhibition Tour Gives Point Guard Chance To Fit In With Sooners

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ Just learning Oklahoma's practice routine was the first challenge for newcomer Omar Leary. After a quick baptism, he'll try to become the Sooners' floor leader. <br/><br/>Leary

Thursday, August 30th 2007, 3:03 pm

By: News On 6

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) _ Just learning Oklahoma's practice routine was the first challenge for newcomer Omar Leary. After a quick baptism, he'll try to become the Sooners' floor leader.

Leary will get an early chance as Oklahoma's starting point guard when the Sooners visit Canada this weekend for a four-game exhibition tour. Following the dismissal of starter Bobby Maze and an injury to Austin Johnson, Leary is left as the only true point guard on the roster heading into the trip.

``My eyes are open right now is really what I can say,'' Leary said. ``I'm really trying to learn as much as I can from them and the coaching staff before we get headed into competition.''

Oklahoma leaves Friday for Vancouver, and will play the University of British Columbia the following day before a double-header against Simon Fraser and Trinity Western on Sunday. The trip concludes against Douglas College on Monday, and the team will return afterward to resume classes.

College teams get to take foreign exhibition tours once every four years, giving them clearance for an extra 10 days of practice sessions before the trip.

The opportunity could be particularly useful as the Sooners seek steady production and leadership that's been elusive in recent years at the point guard position.

After runs to the Final Four in 2002 and round of eight in 2003 with Quannas White at the point, Drew Lavender had mixed results in two seasons before transferring and leaving the position void. Johnson took over off-and-on while being slowed by injuries, and eventually Terrell Everett was moved from the wing to shore up the spot.

McDonald's All-American point guard Scottie Reynolds, who was expected to take over, bailed on his commitment after coach Kelvin Sampson left for Indiana. Maze took Reynolds' roster spot, and he was just coming into his own when he was dismissed in April.

Leary, a junior college All-American, signed with the Sooners two weeks later and arrived on campus in July _ a month late because of summer school.

``He missed a month playing with the guys, and as a point guard you've got to learn where guys like the ball and just all different things like that,'' said Sooners coach Jeff Capel, a former point guard. ``He's gotten better and better each day, and we think as the season goes on, as we get to October's practices, we think he'll be even more advanced because of this experience.''

Leary, who is 5-foot-10, averaged 14 points and 6.3 assists last season as Northeastern (Colo.) Junior College went 34-2 and reached the national junior college tournament. He picked Oklahoma over Colorado, Nebraska and Colorado State.

``It was a great opportunity, and I'm not one to shy away from challenges,'' Leary said. ``I knew it was going to be a challenge, in terms of the point guard position and in competition in Big 12 play. With that challenge ahead, it can only make you stronger and build your character as a person when you get out into real life.''

Leary was thrown into the fire after Johnson suffered a herniated disc in his lower back in July. The junior remains sidelined and won't make the trip to Canada. Guard Tony Crocker will also miss the trip with a leg injury.

``I'd say it's a whole lot better than it was in the summer,'' Johnson said. ``It was pretty bad then, but it's starting to feel a lot better.''

Johnson, who averaged a team-high 2.8 assists last season, has started 36 games over his first two seasons but his right ankle has troubled him throughout his career since he sprained it early on as a freshman.

``Our concern right now with him is making sure he's 100 percent by the time we get to October,'' Capel said. ``If he rehabs right and we're smart about what we do with him, there's a good chance that should happen.''

At least until Johnson returns, Leary will get the majority of the minutes at point guard. Capel said freshman Tony Neysmith could also help out at the position.

``With Austin being out, I've kind of taken responsibility for the point guard job,'' Leary said. ``I just hope it works out, having a good showing in Canada, working hard here in practice and ultimately giving me that chance to be the point guard of this team.''