5. Marcus Smart
Position: Point Guard
Years: 2012-2014
Smart was actually recruited through a current OK State player, senior shooting guard Phil Forte. Both players went to high school at Flower Mound Marcus. Smart was a five-star recruit that was one of Travis Ford’s prized commits during his tenure in Stillwater. At 6’4″, 220 pounds, Smart had a combination of size, strength, and athleticism that’s hard to find at the point guard position.
Smart led the Cowboys to an enormous victory over the Kansas Jayhawks in Lawrence during the 2012-13 season. He averaged 15.4 points per game, 5.8 rebounds, 4.2 steals, and 4.2 assists in 2012-13. Those stats paved the way for Smart to be named Big 12 Player of the Year. He was also named a First Team All-American and First Team All-Big 12 as a true freshman.
Unexpectedly, Smart announced that he would stay for his sophomore season in 2013-14 after being considered a lottery pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. Led by Smart, the Cowboys came into the 2013-14 season ranked no. 8. However, that transpired much differently than expected. At one point, the NCAA suspended Smart for pushing a Texas Tech fan in Lubbock.
In 2013-14, Smart averaged 18.0 points per game, 4.8 assists, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.9 steals. Smart might have had the most talent of any player to play for the Cowboys in the last 15 years. Yet, a shortened career and not making it past the Round of 64 held him back.