Tulsa adds Hurtt to 2007 class

Just a few days ago, 6-foot-4 and 185-pound guard Justin Hurtt of Kansas City (MO) Archbishop O'Hara was content to be headed to New Hampton Prep School with the promise of joining the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane team a year later. However, a surprise visit and immediate scholarship offer from TU Coach Doug Wojcik changed everything.

"I was really surprised when Coach Wojcik made a visit to my home a week ago and told me he wanted me to come to Tulsa this year," Hurtt stated. "I was planning on going to prep school for a year and then coming to Tulsa. But he said things had changed and they had a scholarship available."

Hurtt was a first-team all-conference performer as a senior, averaging 18 points and seven rebounds per game, while shooting 47-percent from the field, 33-percent from behind the arc and 74-percent from the free-throw line.

He will bring great athleticism to the Golden Hurricane and should help the team in the fall with his skills.

"Coach Wojcik said if I worked hard and give it everything I have, that I can play next year," Hurtt added. "I know I can get to the basket and handle the ball well. I'm very athletic (42-inch vertical) and can defend. I have a good mid-range game, as well."

However, Hurtt acknowledges that he can improve and plans to do so over the summer months.

"I can get better on defense and would like to work on my outside shot."

InsideTulsaSports.com spoke with O'Hara Head Coach Todd Maguire early last week, and he stated that Hurtt was headed to New Hampton in August. When ITS spoke with him again just a few days later, he was as surprised as Hurtt to hear of the immediate scholarship offer from Tulsa.

"It surprised both of us," said Coach Maguire. "But it really made Justin happy. He was thoroughly elated. When I talked to him, he had a big smile on his face."

"He would have done anything Coach Wojcik told him, even spend a year at prep school. Doug and his staff did such a great job in recruiting him. He had other options, but was just sold on the coaches and the school."

Hurtt explained why he has such great respect for the Tulsa coaches.

"Coach Wojcik was different than the other coaches recruiting me," he explained. "He really got to know me as a person, not just a basketball player. It was not just about him being a coach."

"He first started recruiting me back in mid-July of 2006. That was just before I went to Las Vegas to play. We built a strong relationship over the next few months, and I visited Tulsa around the first of October and committed in mid-October."

Hurtt signed his letter of intent with Tulsa this week and held a signing ceremony at his school.

He recently participated in the Missouri-Kansas All-Star Game and won the slam-dunk contest, held at halftime. He has been informed that he will be participating in another all-star game in June and most likely will have a chance to show his athleticism once again.

"I've been selected to play in the Hall of Fame Game in Springfield (MO) on June 1," concluded Hurtt. "If they have a slam-dunk contest, I imagine I'll be participating."

InsideTulsaSports.com will be on hand in Springfield to bring you a first-hand account of Hurtt's performance.

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