Watch Out Bowie State, Here Comes O.J. Wright

Ron Bailey, Publisher

August 23, 2006 – Sometimes basketball players arrive at their present destinations via a circuitous route. That’s not a knock on them, as a plethora of reasons could be behind the need to change scenery. In O.J. Wright’s case - a 6’3”, 205lb guard - his path ranging from South Carolina State, Tennessee State, West Virginia Tech, Prince George’s Community College and culminating with Bowie State, should be a boon for the Bulldogs.

During a productive senior year at Riverdale Baptist School (Largo, MD) in 2003, he averaged 17 points, six rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals as a senior according to the school’s coach then and now, Louis Wilson. His play helped the team finish 20-3, and was marked by competitiveness and versatility. “He was a smart player with that winning attitude” said Wilson. “He loved the three ball and when that was not on he would take attack the basketball. We also used Orlando in the post because he was so rugged around the basket”.

Wright committed to South Carolina State, but never set foot on the institution's Orangeburg, SC campus. “That summer, Coach Alex (Cy Alexander) took the (head coach) job at Tennessee State, and asked me to come with him”, he recounted.

O.J. agreed, and enrolled in Tennessee State for 2003-2004. From a personal standpoint, he “enjoyed the school”, as it is located in Nashville and has long been one of the more geographically diverse HBCU’s (Historically Black College’s and Universities). But on the court, problems would ensue.

“We had a rough year in terms of wins and losses”, in part due to a “monster schedule” said Wright, and being 13 hours away from home proved somewhat challenging as well. But more importantly, he recalled “After a while, me and the coach didn’t click”.

Their failure to see eye to eye was predicated on the lack of playing time. Wright would start early in the season, and by the end of the season wasn’t playing. Knowing he could contribute, and not being provided an opportunity to, was the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back, forcing O.J. to reluctantly transfer.

After spending 2004-2005 at West Virginia Tech, it was on to P.G. Community College and now Bowie State University. Though he knew his final destination was Bowie State, Wright chose to attend P.G. last year, “because I would have had to sit out a year at Bowie” due to all his credits not transferring, which would have not meshed with his desire to get on the court after two years of not playing much or at all.

O.J. established his per contest averages of approximately “18 points, four assists, and five rebounds” for the Owls of P.G. last season – a squad that according to him finished 27-4, before losing in the junior college basketball's regional championship. His on-court success brought new college suitors, causing him to assess all options, but Wright knew he was destined to be a Bowie Bulldog. “I felt more confident with Bowie” said O.J. during this phone interview. “They showed they wanted me, and it’s close to home”.

Having recently moved into Bowie’s on campus housing – his roommates are former UMass hooper Art Bowers and several football players – Wright is excited by his new school. O.J. brings an associates degree to the campus, plans to major in Business management, and is “excited” his friends and family are “close to him” and thus providing “a lot of support”. Additionally, Wright stated one of the positive things about Bowie is “most of the players transferred from Division I basketball” programs.

He also holds Bowie State’s league, the Central Collegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), in high regard. In Wright’s opinion, this collection of HBCU’s competing on the NCAA's Division II level has historically produced very formidable teams. In fact, he would opine “I think the comp is better than the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference – South Carolina State’s league). He would go on to label the CIAA “a guard oriented league” that brings exposure to its players, which in Bowie’s case includes a contest with league rival Virginia Union at Madison Square Garden.

As a combo guard capable of scoring and has two years of eligibility left, Wright is expected (and expects himself) to be an impact player in the league, playing both guard positions at various times. Minutes are available, as O.J. indicated “The (Bowie’s) whole starting lineup is up for grabs”, and consequently he plans to be on the floor a lot.

O.J.’s road to Bowie State started at 10, the point he started playing basketball at age 10 due to a football injury. Hoops is a family affair with the Wrights, as he shared his father, Orlando taught him a lot about the game, while his brother, Chris (four years younger), has served as an excellent training partner.

“We work out together” said O.J. about his highly recruited younger brother who he refused any credit for teaching the game per se, though did submit “I helped him get better, as he did me. We don’t compete against each other, we work out together”.

Orlando doesn’t doubt his son’s effectiveness going forward, as he said via email “Bowie is a great situation for OJ. He is an outstanding shooter that can also create his own shot and is the best on-the-ball defender at Bowie. He will do well in the CIAA”.

The young man’s former coach at Riverdale Baptist, Wilson, believes if O.J. is able to display the same will to win he did in “team free-throw shooting, team drills, player on player drills, situation (drills), scrimmage games and official games”, he will in fact be very successful at Bowie State.

From the way he talks, it seems O.J. himself expects success at Bowie State. Those close to him also seem to think he’s capable of making s distinct impact with the Bulldogs. O.J. Wright seems to have indeed found a home.