Oklahoma basketball: Sooner women add North Carolina transfer

Women’s Oklahoma basketball coach Jennie Baranczyk has added an important new piece to the Lady Sooners’ 2021-22 roster.

Joining the Sooners is  North Carolina transfer guard Kennady Tucker. Considered one of the nation’s top recruits in the 2019 class, Tucker averaged 14.0 points and played in all 30 North Carolina games as a freshman in 2019-20.

A two-time all-state selection in high school, Tucker led her North Little Rock High School team to a Class 7A state title as a junior and to a state runner-up finish as a sophomore. Her senior season in 2018-19, she averaged 12.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2,8 assists and 2.9 steals per game.

In high school, Tucker played both shooting guard and point guard. She finished her high school career with 1,120 points, 423 rebounds 267 assists and 188 steals.

All-Star Girls Report ranked Tucker as the No. 25 overall prospect in the 2019 recruiting class.

Tucker is Baranczyk’s first commitment since being hired as the new OU women’s coach on April 10.

"“She (Kennady) brings experience, length and athleticism as well as a love for the game,” Baranczyk said about her new recruit in a press release issued by the OU athletic department.“She really fits our up-tempo style of play and will be an incredible addition to our chemistry.”"

Tucker will become part of a talented Sooner backcourt that includes senior Taylor Robertson and junior Gabby Gregory. Robertson averaged 16.1 points a game last season, and Gregory averaged 16.6.

The Oklahoma women were 12-12 overall in 2020-21 and finished 9-9 in Big 12 games.

Before coming to Oklahoma, Baranczyk was the head coach of the women’s program at Drake for nine seasons, where she compiled an overall record of 192-96.