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Future Sooner Kelbie Washington

BY: JOSH HELMER

The Oklahoma women’s basketball program didn’t have to search very far to find one of its potential future stars. Standout Norman High senior point guard Kelbie Washington signed with the Sooners in November, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

“My goal was always to play Division I basketball at the University of Oklahoma,” Washington said. “The coaching staff at Oklahoma was really helpful with the process. Picking the University of Oklahoma was just a gut feeling and I’m happy about it.”

The 5-foot-7 guard averaged 13.2 points, 4.4 assists and 4.3 steals per game during her junior season. She’s a two-time First Team All-COAC selection, a two-time COAC Defensive Player of the Year and earned Big All-City First Team status last season.

A proven winner, Washington helped the Tigers to the program’s fifth state championship in 2019. She earned First Team AllState Tournament honors during that title run. Norman was the favorite to repeat last spring with a record of 24-1 before the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of the state tournament.

The four-star point guard is ranked as the No. 66 player nationally in ESPN’s 2021 HoopGurlz Recruiting Rankings. OU head women’s basketball coach Sherri Coale knows the Sooners are getting a talented hometown addition.

“Kelbie Washington is a kid I fell in love with watching her play as a junior high kid,” Coale said. “I love her intensity. She’s got some shooting range. She can score it, she can pass it, she can score it going to the rim, crafty finisher, draws a lot of fouls and is a great defender. She has a chance to be one of the best on the ball defenders we’ve ever had here. The passionate, emotional way she plays the game gives her a chance to be an extraordinary leader.”

Washington has worked hard to expand her game in her time at Norman High. Known as a tenacious defender, her offensive game continues to improve.

“From my freshman year to now, I’ve grown a lot,” Washington said. “I think that’s because of Coach Neal and the program and the girls, of course. As I got older, I got more confident with my scoring. Shooting was not my biggest strong point when I was younger, but, I think as of right now being a senior, it’s gotten a lot better and I can’t wait to improve it at OU.”

Washington is used to playing with Division I talent, too. Norman High teammates Chante Embry, Mikayla Parks and Myka Perry all will be playing Division I basketball in the future. Embry signed with Texas Tech, Parks is committed to Kansas State and Perry boasts a number of Division I offers.

Norman High head girls basketball coach Michael Neal says that experience should ease her transition into the Sooners’ program.

“Kelbie has been playing with high-caliber players for a long time,” he said. “With her competitive AAU team, they have Division I players across the board. She understands who needs the ball and how to get it to them. She’s played with tremendous talent in high school and even more so in the competitive realm. The things that she’s gone through personally on and off the court will definitely help her with her transition next year.”

Washington hasn’t taken that experience for granted.

“It’s been a blessing,” she said. “You don’t always get to play with such a good group of girls. Not everyone has that. We’ve done a lot of good things, winning state, going to state last year. These girls are not just teammates. They’re family. People I’ll know for the rest of my life, people that I’ll care about for the rest of my life. The basketball part, it’s amazing that we do that together, but the memories are what stick out to me.”

Joining Washington in OU’s 2021 signing class are 6-foot1, guard Kaley Perkins (Houston, Texas), 6-foot-3, forward Emma Svoboda (LaQuinta, Calif.) and 6-foot, forward Bre’yon White (Houston, Texas).

“They’re awesome,” Washington said. “I talk to them a lot. Just really excited about coming to college with them. We talk about their season and I talk about mine. I have a really good relationship with them. They’re a good group of girls, really good players. I’m excited to make memories with them as well.”

For now, Washington is focused on winning another Gold Ball with the Tigers. After that, she hopes to be an immediate contributor at Oklahoma.

“What I want to improve on to end my high school career is my leadership. I want to come in and not just be a freshman,” Washington said. “I want to be a role player for the team. I want to help the team. Overall, just trying to get better and better every day and it really helps when I have Coach Neal as my coach.” –BSM