Ollie Bailey has his two father figures to thank for his being at Oklahoma City University.
His uncle Richard Pollard and his mentor Mark Lee.
“They are the reason I am here today," said Bailey. "They have been around my whole life, like father figures, they helped me with my basketball and always made sure I was always with them so I would stay out of trouble.
"Growing up in Chicago was hard, with all the violence, but God has blessed me.”
Bailey, a 6-foot-7 senior from Chicago, is this week’s Super Star of the week after a week where he averaged 16.5 points and eight rebounds per contest.
Bailey is averaging 17.6 points along with a team-high 9.3 rebounds this season. He has helped the Stars to be 11-5 on the season, 7-2 in the Sooner Athletic Conference.
OCU is tied for first place in the conference with Oklahoma Baptist. The Stars knocked Wayland Baptist (Texas) out of a four-way tie for first with a 74-63 win on Saturday.
Bailey had 18 points and nine rebounds Saturday.
“The team has great chemistry, everyone gets along and the young guys have stepped up and played well too," said Bailey. "When the new guys came at semester everyone has picked up their game."
Bailey said one of his best memories at Rutgers was during his sophomore year against Louisville when he had 14 points and seven rebounds. He hit the game winning shot with seven seconds left with an ESPN audience watching.
More on Ollie:
My hero: Richard Pollard and Mark Lee
Best player I've ever competed against: Dwight Howard
Favorite sports movie: He Got Game
The best time I ever had was: When my high school team made it to state
My pregame ritual: Listening to Lil' Wayne
