Wed Apr 9 17:48:34 2008

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Oklahoma's Griffin to return for sophomore season

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Norman, OK (Sports Network) - Oklahoma standout freshman forward Blake Griffin announced Wednesday that he will be returning to school for his sophomore season.

"Our team has a chance to be really good next year," Griffin said. "We want to be one of the top teams in the country and make a statement with what we're trying to do as a program."

Griffin averaged 14.7 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, shooting a team-best 56.8 percent from the field despite missing time with a sprained MCL. His scoring average was the highest for a first-year player since 1983-84, and he also registered 1.8 assists per contest, the highest percentage for a Sooner forward since Eduardo Najera in 2001.

Oklahoma finished the year 23-11, including a 9-7 mark in the Big 12 Conference. The Sooners fell in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to Louisville after a first-round win over Saint Joseph's.

Griffin's older brother, Taylor, a 6-foot-7 forward, will also return next season for his senior year.