What happened to Kevin Bookout?

[Jack Slocombe]

Threw over 71' as a junior in HS and 70' as a senior. Have not heard a word after he entered college. Anyone know what happened?

[theman]

Re: What happened to Kevin Bookout?

Kevin threw a last season for Oklahoma i believe 61'8 was his best as a freshman, he also plays basket ball for oklahoma, his shoulder was hurt this year so he did not throw.

[ycn]

Re: What happened to Kevin Bookout?

Bookout is a great track man in both discus and shot, but his heart has always been more drawn to basketball. In 2002 Bookout was the only high schooler to surpass 70 feet in the shot.

Last year's Big 12 Freshman of the Year in basketball injured his shoulder, and attempted through great pain to try to contribute to the Oklahoma basketball team this year.

His injury and several others doomed Oklahoma to a mediocre basketball season, the first and only time that Coach Kelvin Sampson failed to guide his team to the NCAA tournament.

Bookout finally could not play with the pain any longer, and underwent surgery in January. He will be back for both basketball and track next year.

He was a freshman All-American in both sports. What's interesting about Bookout is that he does not look very athletic at all, but then he does things that you think no person his size could ever do. He is the all-time Oklahoma high school home run leader in baseball, and as a pitcher had a 95 mile per hour fastball.

[jhc68]

Re: What happened to Kevin Bookout?

Given the injury (which, judging by the expected rehab time, must have been significant) and Bookout's focus on BBall since high school, I'd bet he is all done as a thrower with world class potential.

[ycn]

Re: What happened to Kevin Bookout?

Bookout will be fine. His surgery was a complete success, and I can tell you, he got top quality attention for his injury.

As has been said before (maybe not here), after rehab he is not expected to lose any of his athletic prowess, either on the court or in the field.

Bookout was on a timetable to compete for the Olympic games in 2008, not 2004. I expect him to be close to that quality by then, at the very least. He is a special athlete.

[jhc68]

Re: What happened to Kevin Bookout?

Bookout is a fabulously talented athlete, no doubt one of the best of his generation. But he has concentrated on BBall and his track marks last year did not approach his apparent potential. He was just another college level thrower--24th on the NCAA list at just short of 60 feet. Impressive for a part time performer but not on track to world level standards. No matter how well the surgery went, such a long lay off would impact throwing ability. Now, if he returns to BBall and is able to perform back to previous levels he will be in the running for a fat NBA contract year after next. It doesn't seem realistic to believe that a person can pursue a serious D-1 and NBA BBall career and develop into an Olympic contender in the shot. It would certainly be a great story if it happened, but don't hold your breathe.

[dl]

Re: What happened to Kevin Bookout?

Bookout's situation was reported in the Status Quo section (the best way to keep up on who's injured/redshirting/etc) in the March issue.

He underwent surgery on his right (throwing) shoulder.