The Oklahoma State Cowboys men's basketball team is currently on a foreign tour in Puerto Rico, where they are taking on professional squads and using the island setting to tighten chemistry ahead of the upcoming season.
Coach Steve Lutz and his assistants have turned the trip into a recruiting showcase, spending long hours on the road scouting the elite prospects who could shape the 2027 class.
A Caribbean Stopover Fuels Recruiting Momentum
The Puerto Rico stop is more than a vacation. It gives the staff a chance to evaluate players in a different environment, to build relationships with prospects who might otherwise be difficult to reach, and to let the team experience a new culture together.
Among those prospects, four‑star guard Payton Jones stands out. Ranked No. 49 nationally, the youngster is being chased by a handful of Big 12 programs, including Cincinnati, Baylor, Houston, Kansas State and TCU.
The Cowboys have already locked in a pledge from Tyson Pogi, a four‑star guard who happens to be the top player in Oklahoma for the 2027 class and the son of former Oklahoma State quarterback Aso Pogi. He will not be able to sign until the early signing period in November.
The program also benefited from a strong 2026 recruiting haul that featured McDonald’s All‑American forward Latrell Allmond and several other highly touted signees, giving the team a solid foundation as they look ahead.
With the island experience fostering camaraderie and the staff’s focused outreach, the Cowboys hope the momentum will carry them into a competitive future, both on the court and in the recruiting rankings.