SOONERS REPORT: “Once a Sooner, Always a Sooner: Rashard Odomes Appointed as Oklahoma’s…

Rashard Odomes, the once‑rusty freshman guard who proudly donned the crimson and cream at Oklahoma from 2015 to 2019, has come full circle. In 2025, the university announced his appointment to Porter Moser’s men’s basketball staff as a graduate assistant coach—a move that delights the fanbase and underscores why the phrase “Once a Sooner, always a Sooner” resonates more than ever. From his humble beginnings at Copperas Cove in Texas to his professional exploits overseas, Odomes’s path has been shaped by persistence, leadership, grit, and a deep connection to the Sooner way.

Born on December 21, 1996, in Anchorage, Alaska, Odomes spent parts of his childhood across the country—including Baltimore and Copperas Cove—where his mother, a retired U.S. Army First Class Sergeant, instilled a disciplined, no‑nonsense attitude. At Copperas Cove High, he emerged as a prolific scorer, averaging over 25 points per game in his junior and senior seasons, while earning honors like Texas 8‑5A Offensive Player of the Year and District 12‑6A MVP . His dominance on the court made him the school’s all‑time leading scorer coming out of high school, securing his place as a three‑star recruit and catching the eye of Oklahoma’s coaching staff.

In November 2014, then‑head coach Lon Kruger officially announced Odomes’s commitment alongside other incoming recruits. Kruger lauded Odomes as a long, athletic wing, left‑handed and with range, who thrived in transition—a player poised to unleash energy and boost the Sooners’ versatility . He joined the Sooners to join a team deep with talent, including Buddy Hield and Isaiah Cousins, and thus began a journey rooted in perseverance.

Odomes’s freshman year (2015–16) saw limited court time—just 6.1 minutes a game in 18 appearances off the bench. But he accepted the challenge of guarding the likes of Hield and Cousins in practice and embraced the role of scout team leader. As Kruger explained, the message was clear: “Be patient RO,” a mantra Odomes tweeted early on . Teammates recognized his quiet growth from these strenuous practices. Buddy Cousins noted that Odomes showed up every day ready to improve and eventually stepped into a leadership role when the time was right .

When his freshman season concluded, Odomes had evolved—not only as an on‑court competitor but also as a student of the game and a professional in attitude. “That time last year matured me… It grew me as a person, not only on the court but off of it as well,” he reflected . And indeed, the following season would test that maturity.

The 2016–17 campaign offered a dramatic transformation. Odomes leaped into the starting lineup for all 30 games, jumping from under 2 points per game to a commanding 10.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.8 apg, and averaging 1.0 steals over 26.8 minutes . His scoring reached a season‑high 29 points (and 10 rebounds) against arch‑rival Oklahoma State on February 18, and he recorded another double‑digit effort with 24 points against Texas Tech in early January . This season was remarkable—Odomes became the only Big 12 player to average under 2 ppg one year and over 10 ppg the next . Coach Kruger applauded his work ethic, noting that Odomes was the “most consistent player in practice” and a lead-by-example figure .

As a junior, Odomes continued to shine, earning spots on the Academic All‑Big 12 First Team while maintaining steady court contributions. He was named team captain, complementing the rising star of Trae Young, and remained a stalwart defender and glue guy . One highlight came in February 2018, against Baylor, when he nailed two three‑pointers and helped seal a tight 98–96 victory . Odomes’s balanced play—scoring efficiency, tough rebounding, and anchored defense—cemented his reputation as a player who performed when it mattered most.

By his senior year, he had mastered clutch performances. In March 2019, he erupted for a team‑high 20 points in the Sooners’ NCAA Tournament first‑round upset of Ole Miss. That season, he averaged 6.9 ppg while maintaining a .542 two‑point field goal percentage (10th in Big 12) and once again earned Academic All‑Big 12 First Team honors . Odomes had parlayed his physical tools and mindset into a career that reflected growth on and off the court.

Graduation in 2019 marked a new chapter: professional basketball abroad. His first stop was Umeå BSKT in Sweden (2019–20), where he averaged 16.4 ppg and 2.8 apg. The following season took him to Finland’s Joensuun Kataja, where he posted 18.2 ppg and 3.0 apg. Then, in 2021–22, he inked with FC Porto in Portugal. Finally, since 2022, he has been starring for Hapoel Gilboa Galil in Israel’s Premier League as a guard‑forward hybrid . His game matured overseas—he added scoring, improved his perimeter shooting, and retained rebounding and defensive tenacity, quickly becoming a key contributor on each roster.

Then, in June 2025, the news reverberated through Norman. Oklahoma announced that Odomes would return—not as a player, but as graduate assistant coach under Porter Moser . Sources reveal Moser’s excitement about Odomes’s embrace of energy and toughness—a perfect match for his coaching philosophy . Former On3 reporter Bob Przybylo referred to Odomes as “a former fan favorite” coming back full circle, highlighting his leadership as a junior captain and his clutch displays—including that 29–10 Bedlam outburst and 20‑point NCAA Tournament performance .

This move represents more than a job—it’s symbolic of dedication, legacy, and homecoming. Odomes brings empathy and insight. He knows what it’s like to underperform, to earn minutes, to lead maturely, and to make big shots. As a graduate assistant, he’ll be instrumental in mentoring guards, instilling work ethic, reinforcing defensive toughness and hustle—qualities he epitomized at his best. And his international experience adds a global dimension, especially useful in today’s game, where perimeter skills and positional versatility are vital.

Fans have responded with gusto. Cheering social media posts celebrated his return, recalling his Bedlam dominance and clutch NCAA performance. They view his appointment as reinforcing Oklahoma values: loyalty, toughness, and intellectual growth. For the young Sooners under Moser, Odomes represents a role model who seamlessly blended academic commitment (a Human Relations major with two Academic All‑Big 12 nods) with stellar athletics .

Moser’s comment, echoing Kruger’s praise years earlier, captured the sentiment: “He brings the toughness and energy that align with everything I’m about” . It’s a philosophy rooted in accountability, growth mindset, and high character. Odomes fits it to a tee, ready to work relentlessly behind the scenes as well as influence in the film room and on the practice court.

On a personal level, this return signals Odomes’s deep emotional connection to Oklahoma. His timeline began in 2015 with that “Be patient RO” tweet that chronicled a young man hungry to earn his moment . It ends in 2025 with an alumnus eager to mentor, guide, and elevate the program that shaped him. His story is one of cyclical loyalty: from freshman scout to starter, to overseas pro, and now Sooners staff.

Looking ahead, questions buzz: Is this a first step toward full-time staff? Could Odomes parlay this role into a director position, or run a debut in the high school or D‑II circuit before returning to NCAA coaching ranks? Oklahoma fans speculate with hope and excitement. Many note that successful trendlines suggest he’s being groomed for bigger responsibilities—in the tradition of former players returning to their alma mater’s coaching ranks.

Odomes’s return also serves as a recruitment boon. When incoming guards and wings see a recent Sooner who’s navigated college hoops, pursued academics, played professionally abroad, and come back—not cashing in but pouring in—it resonates deeply. That’s a story of loyalty, journey, and fulfillment. It makes OU more than a landing place; it’s a launching pad and home base.

This move is one part institutional strategy, one part heartfelt gesture. It reminds us what Oklahoma basketball can be: a program steeped in toughness, intellectual excellence, professional readiness, and full-circle narratives. In Odomes, the Sooners staff have a living embodiment of those values, a man who can bridge the player and coach, the scholar and athlete, the newcomer and the alumnus.

For Porter Moser, this first year at Oklahoma inaugurated his tenure. Bringing someone like Odomes into his staff signals a commitment to deep ties, community, continuity—and a willingness to embrace the Sooner culture. It tells recruits and alumni alike: the program isn’t just about wins and stats; it’s about relationships, life after college, and long-term identity.

As players stride into the practice gym, Odomes will smile knowingly. He remembers what it was like to earn trust slowly, to make clutch shots in the March spotlight, and to grind professionally on foreign courts. He can relate. And in his quiet, efficient way, he’ll impart that same grit to a new generation. “Once a Sooner, always a Sooner” isn’t just a phrase then—it’s a living, breathing cycle he now continues to embody.

Watching Odomes on the sideline next season, fans won’t just see a former player; they’ll see a mentor, a connector, a homegrown leader who dared to chase pro dreams overseas—and returned not for glory but for service. It’s a powerful image in a sport that too often churns through players and coaches without pause. He reminds everyone of what holds a university together: people, stories, and the love for a program bigger than any one person.

At a ceremony in Norman or a press conference introducing him officially, Odomes will likely reflect on the gratitude he feels—for coaches who believed in him, teammates who lifted him, mentors who grounded him—and the opportunity to do the same for others. His words might echo themes of patience, preparation, perseverance—lessons he preached even before he became a starter .

So as we welcome Rashard Odomes back to the sideline at Oklahoma, let us remember that his story isn’t unique—it’s quintessentially Sooner. It’s the story of a young man who joined as raw potential, grew through effort, represented with intelligence, pushed himself further abroad, and returned to shape those who come after. That’s what makes a Sooner. That’s what makes a legacy. And that’s why, when you say, “Once a Sooner, always a Sooner,” you mean exactly this kind of journey—and this kind of return.