[bigboydan]

kinda shocking that they would release them from the commitments.

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -Oklahoma on Wednesday released three basketball recruits from national letters of intent they signed when Kelvin Sampson was the Sooners' head coach.


Guard Scottie Reynolds, a McDonald's All-America, and forwards Damion James and Jeremy Mayfield were all granted releases.

``Naturally, it would have been our preference that all of the signees stay with OU, and we exerted considerable energy toward that end,'' Jeff Capel, who was hired as Sampson's replacement last month, said in a statement. ``The releases have been granted, and, while we remain hopeful that these three individuals will wind up as Sooners, we must forge ahead with our program and the young men who aspire to play and excel here.''

Reynolds averaged 27.3 points and 4.7 assists as a senior at Herndon (Va.) High School.

The three were thought to be crucial additions to a team that lost Taj Gray, Kevin Bookout and Terrell Everett, three seniors who combined to score more than half of the Sooners' points last season.

In March, Sampson left Oklahoma after 12 seasons to take over at Indiana. The Sooners went 20-9 last season, losing in the first round of the NCAA tournament to Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Sampson replaced Mike Davis, who announced Feb. 16 he was resigning after leading the Hoosiers the past six seasons.