Porter Moser reveals future of Tanner Groves, Elijah Harkless and Umoja Gibson

Oklahoma received some news about the future of three of their most important players for next season. On Monday, Porter Moser revealed what Tanner Groves, Elijah Harkless and Umoja Gibson are planning for 2022.

“Oklahoma’s Tanner Groves and Elijah Harkless will return to school next season and use their additional year of eligibility, per Porter Moser,” tweeted Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports. “Umoja Gibson will explore professional opportunities with the option to return to school.”

First, the return of Groves and Harkless is big for the Sooners. Groves averaged 11.6 points and 5.8 rebounds for Oklahoma last season, while Harkless averaged 10.0 points and 4.1 rebounds himself. As you can see, that’s two productive players making their way back to Norman.

However, losing Gibson would be a big blow for Oklahoma. While the ultimate goal of any college basketball coach is to send their players to a long, successful professional career, Moser wouldn’t mind Gibson returning to the Sooners next season. He was their spark throughout 2021-22, averaging 13.3 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.

Oklahoma finished last season 18-15, an uneven campaign that concluded with a loss to St. Bonaventure in the 2nd Round of the NIT. Next season, the Sooners have bigger aspirations for their program.

More on Oklahoma Sooners

Moreover, the highs were high for Oklahoma throughout 2021-22, but the lows were extraordinarily low. The team defeated some of the best competition the nation has to offer, like when they sent Baylor home from the Big 12 Tournament. However, the lows kept them out of the NCAA Tournament — a losses to Butler and Utah State sticking out.

Continuing, Oklahoma will need to be better against the Big 12 next season. The Sooners won just seven conference games, losing 11 of their matchups to conference foes. That can’t happen if Oklahoma wants to make a run at the NCAA Tournament.

Nevertheless, it’s a win for Oklahoma that Tanner Groves, Elijah Harkless and possibly Umoja Gibson will return. For Porter Moser to continue to build his program, the Sooners will need to develop their culture and lay a foundation.