Chandler Rickey joins the 1,000-point club

By Kervy Robles, Sports Editor

During the game against University of Arkansas at Monticello, Chandler Rickey, junior business management major, carved his name in the books of the OBU men’s basketball 1,000-point club.

“I was a little nervous, but I was getting close to make the shot that put me at 1,000 points,” Rickey said. “I made the shot, and when I saw it go in, all I could do was smile.”

Although he is on a successful path now,  recently receiving honorable mention All-Great American Conference honors, Rickey did not start playing basketball until his junior year of high school. 

“That was the year I first dunked,” he said. “Once I did it for the first time, that was all I wanted to do.”

Precisely, it is Rickey’s ability to dunk that gave him a chance to play basketball at Oklahoma Baptist University.

“I came to OBU to play the OBCA (Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Association) All-Star game, and I won the dunk contest,” Rickey said. “Coach Tolin [former OBU head basketball coach] asked me to come on a visit.”

Although Rickey had some offers from other schools to play baseball, his ambitions were placed in Bison Hill.

“I knew I wanted to play basketball,” Rickey said. “I am 100 percent happy with my decision to come to OBU. I cannot think of anywhere else I would rather be.”

As a power forward, Rickey is characterized with some key strengths in the court.

“He has a great scoring touch around the rim, and uses his body really well on the offensive,” head coach Quinn Wooldridge said. “Chandler has an exciting ability to play above the rim and finish in traffic.”

Rickey also takes his role as a team leader with tremendous responsibility.

“I make sure that I am one of the first ones at practice,” Rickey said.  “I work as hard as I can for my team and myself.”

Hitting 1,000 points was not something Rickey thought would be possible.

“This just shows what people are capable of when they set their minds to something,” he said.

Rickey prioritized the role of his teammates in his success throughout his first three years at OBU.

“Without my teammates, none of this could have even happened,” Rickey said.

“They were all supportive and wanted me to be successful.”

In addition, Rickey acknowledged his parents to be his major inspiration.

“My parents are my biggest fans, supporters and critics which is important when you try to succeed,” Rickey said.

“They are the reason that I am still playing; everything I do is to make them proud.”

Finally, OBU and head coach Wooldridge hold big expectations from Rickey.   

“We will play a more spread offense next year that will give [Rickey] more space to operate,” Wooldridge said.

“This should allow him to be his absolute best and build on his Honorable Mention All-GAC status from this season.”

Rickey finished the season with an average of 17 points, eight rebounds and three blocks per game.