Two months after committing to Bobby Hurley at chilly Buffalo, junior college star Maurice O’Field committed to Bobby Hurley at sunny Arizona State.
A 6-foot-5, 210-pound small forward from Midland (TX) College who averaged 15.8 points, 5 rebounds and 2.9 assists and has three years of eligibility left, O’Field pledged to Arizona State on Friday.
The No. 16-rated junior college player in the nation according to Brad Winton of JUCORecruiting.com, he also had offers from Gonzaga, Marquette, Louisiana Tech and Buffalo, among others.
“I just want to follow the coaching style of Coach Hurley,” O’Field told SNY.tv by phone from his visit. “I liked what he did at Buffalo and I saw that. It just makes it even better at a higher level in the Pac-12.”
This continues the remaking of the Arizona State roster under Hurley. Two weeks ago, he landed Buffalo transfer Shannon Evans, a 6-1 guard and second-team All-Mac selection. The Devils also picked up 6-8 athletic freak Obi Oleka, the No. 6 JUCO player in the nation and retained No. 10-ranked Andre Spight.
Arizona State is also among the Final Four for 7-footer Thon Maker of Orangeville Prep (Ontario), who is also considering Kansas, Kentucky and Indiana.
O’Field is essentially following the former Duke legend-turned college coach from a cold-weather climate in Buffalo to the sunny confines of Arizona State. Hurley won two NCAA championships at Duke and guided Buffalo to the NCAA Tournament in his second season last year.
“I think he’s a player’s coach, something I could be comfortable with for the next three years and I love the idea of being coached by him,” he said
O’Field plans to be in impact player for the Sun Devils.
“Just an open-style, really attacking, get it up and down in transition, things that I’m great at,” he said.
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