Blake Griffin
Profile:
Born: 1989/03/16
Age: 22
Height: 6-10
Weight: 251
Place of birth: Oklahoma City, OK
Seasons: 1
Class: Sophomore
Biography:
The Griffin boys may not have had schoolmates, but they had no shortage of teammates. Both were gifted athletes who competed in youth leagues for football, baseball and basketball. Their greatest battles were in the family driveway. Balke was known as “Little Griffin” by just about everybody, and he didn't like it.
Blake was a typical younger sibling, always looking for a challenge. If Taylor wouldn't play him, he’d find something else to turn into a competition between the two. Blake was always trying to run a little faster or jump a little higher.
One of Blake’s friends was Sam Bradford, who would go on to be the top pick in the 2010 NFL draft. His parents owned a gym, and they got all their trophies from the Griffins. Taylor and Blake spent endless hours playing in the Bradford complex.
That spring, one of the many fans in the stands watching Blake was Jeff Capel, the new head coach at Oklahoma. With Taylor on his roster, Capel already knew a good deal about Blake. The teenager got rave reviews from other Sooners as well. Capel was impressed by Blake’s size, speed and jumping ability. He also liked the fact that Blake had not yet become a household name among recruiters.
But while Capel was sold on Blake, he wasn’t sold on Oklahoma. That was Taylor’s job. He convinced his younger brother that the Sooners could be a national powerhouse. By the time Duke, UNC, Kansas and other schools began wooing Blake, he had already made up his mind. He officially committed to Oklahoma before the opening tip of his senior season.
Photos:
Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin