Puerto Rico Trip Prepares OSU Men's Basketball for New Era
The Oklahoma State men's basketball squad is set to depart for Puerto Rico, where it will contest three exhibition matches while participating in a series of team‑building exercises designed to tighten chemistry before the regular season.
Coach Steve Lutz, now in his fourth year at the helm, has instituted a phone ban during select activities to eliminate distractions and force players to focus on collective goals. The approach reflects his belief that genuine bonding occurs when teammates interact without digital mediation.
The roster arrives with only four players returning from the previous 20‑15 (6‑12 Big 12) campaign, making the upcoming trip a critical laboratory for experimentation. Among those returnees, fifth‑year senior point guard Kanye Clary stands out as the clear leader, having posted a career‑high 4.6 assists per game while ranking second in minutes and fourth in scoring last season.
Clary’s decision to remain at OSU for a second season was framed as a pledge to Coach Lutz, underscoring a mutual commitment that could stabilize the young squad. The 2026 recruiting class, positioned eighth nationally, brings fresh talent such as McDonald’s All‑American Latrell Allmond, who is expected to assume a prominent role alongside other highly touted newcomers.
Freshmen are already feeling the intensity of Lutz’s renowned practices, which are described as both physically demanding and mentally taxing. The new arrivals — including Latrell Allmond, Anthony Felesi, Jalen Montonati and others — are adapting to a system that emphasizes relentless effort and disciplined execution.
With the starting lineup still undecided, Coach Lutz plans to rotate combinations during the Puerto Rico stint, using the exhibition games as a live testbed for chemistry and strategy. The trip also provides an opportunity to evaluate players like Kashie Natt, who has recently been cleared to compete after a period of eligibility uncertainty.
Beyond the on‑court work, the schedule includes matches against Texas‑Arlington, Texas‑Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico State, and others, as well as a showdown with Texas A&M‑Corpus Christi, Western Kentucky and Sam Houston State. These non‑conference opponents will help the Cowboys gauge their progress before entering the rigors of Big 12 play.