Humphrey Returns to OU, Joins Men’s Hoops Staff

Oklahoma head men’s basketball coach Porter Moser announced the addition of former Sooner Ryan Humphrey to his staff as an assistant coach Friday. 

“I am excited to have Ryan join our staff and bring him back home to Oklahoma,” said Moser. “His passion for the state of Oklahoma is unmatched. He is a high school legend from Tulsa who reached the highest stage of the NBA. He is a high-character and energy-driven coach. He did an outstanding job on the national stage under Mike Brey at Notre Dame. I am looking forward to bringing his passion for the state of Oklahoma and the Sooners back to Norman.”

Humphrey started his collegiate playing career with OU in the 1997-98 season and was a McDonald’s All-American at Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa. 

“I am excited to come back to the state of Oklahoma, where it all started for me, and join Porter and his staff,” said Humphrey. “Twenty-five years ago I had a goal to bring a national championship to the University of Oklahoma, and now everything has come full circle. The opportunity to join this staff presented itself and it was too good for me to pass up. I am excited and believe in what Porter and his staff are doing, the goals and standards of excellence. I have unfinished business and am ready to go to work. The future is bright. Boomer Sooner.”

Humphrey returns to Norman following a six-year stint as an assistant coach for Brey at Notre Dame. 

In his first season with the Fighting Irish, Humphrey was instrumental in the development of All-American and All-ACC forward Bonzie Colson. Colson averaged a double-double (points and rebounds) in 2016-17 and tallied career highs in points, rebounds and blocked shots under Humphrey’s tutelage.

In 2018-19, he aided in the growth of John Mooney, who led the ACC in rebounds. Mooney earned third-team all-conference honors and posted 13 double-doubles in league play, the most since Wake Forest’s Tim Duncan tallied 15 during the 1996-97 ACC campaign.

Mooney’s progression didn’t stop following his stellar junior campaign. With Humphrey on the bench, Mooney led the nation in double-doubles (25) and finished second overall and first among Power Five conference players in rebounds per game (12.7).

Prior to his time in South Bend, Humphrey served as the director of player development at Northwestern for two seasons and started with the Wildcats in November 2014 after a stellar professional career.

Humphrey started his playing career with the Sooners and was named a third-team All-Big 12 selection as a sophomore in 1998-99. He appeared in 63 games in the Crimson and Cream and made 54 starts, averaging 10.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game.

In Humphrey’s final season at Oklahoma, the Sooners reached the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16. His tip-in with 21 seconds left against No. 4-seeded Arizona propelled No. 13-seeded OU to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. It was the first NCAA Tournament win for the Sooners in nine years.

The Tulsa native transferred to Notre Dame and finished his career with the Fighting Irish. He was named a 2002 Basketball News Second-Team All-American and All-BIG EAST First Team honoree.

In his two years at Notre Dame, Humphrey tallied 166 blocks and set a program record for blocks per game (2.8). He finished his senior season with 87 rejections to set the single-season school standard.

During his final season, Humphrey was named a captain and averaged 18.9 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. He finished the season with 11 straight double-doubles and led the Irish to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Humphrey was the 19th selection in the 2002 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz. He was traded to the Orlando Magic on draft night and appeared in 13 games in his first season. Humphrey was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies prior to the 2004-05 season and appeared in 85 career NBA games. He averaged 2.3 points and 2.2 rebounds per contest.

He continued his career on the international scene and played in Italy, Spain, Puerto Rico, Cyprus, Uruguay, Argentina and Venezuela. Humphrey concluded his ‘Euro League’ career with 127 games played, 1,644 points (12.9 per game) and 778 rebounds (6.1 per game).

Humphrey also played for his hometown NBA D-League 66ers in 2008-09 and averaged 15.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.

Humphrey and his wife, RaSheda, have two sons, Ryan and Rylan.
 

https://soonersports.com/news/2022/7/1/mens-basketball-humphrey-joins-ou-hoops-staff.aspx