'It's his mindset': How walk-on Sam Godwin became breakout player for OU men's basketball

NORMAN — When Sam Godwin entered the transfer portal in late March, he joined over 1,000 Division I players around the nation who were also looking for a new home.

Godwin didn't have much to separate himself from the jungle of journeymen when it came to his stats. The 6-foot-10 junior averaged 6.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game the previous season on a mid-major team in Wofford, and he primarily came off the bench.

But when OU head coach Porter Moser was told by his staff that Godwin was an Ada native and a former Southmoore standout, he began to dig deeper.

"We started watching him more on tape," Moser said. "Some of his best games were against the high-major teams at Wofford. We thought he can do it... He's got a lot of good traits that we liked."

More: OU men's basketball pulls away from UMKC thanks to Grant Sherfield's hot shooting

Godwin joined OU on April 9 as a walk-on, and his lack of a scholarship shouldn't be mistaken for a lack of value.

Godwin has emerged as the top bench contributor for the Sooners, who face No. 9-ranked Arkansas at noon Saturday at BOK Center in Tulsa. He's averaging career-highs of 6.3 points and 4 rebounds per game while shooting 75 percent from the floor.

Godwin is the definition of an energy player. He boasts an offensive rebound percentage of 16.3%, while no other OU player is above 9% in that department.

"Coming in, I knew what my role was," Godwin said. "Come in and provide hustle plays and offensive rebounds, anything I could do to get the team extra possessions. So that’s my focus going into the game every night and just giving my best effort."

Godwin is thriving just a few miles from where it all started.

The big man dominated during his time at Southmoore. He finished his career as the program's all-time leader in blocks and rebounds, and he earned a spot on the Oklahoma Class 6A All-Tournament First Team as a senior.

Godwin always had an interest in playing for OU. So when he got offered a spot on the Sooners' roster as a walk-on, he stopped talking to other suitors and packed for Norman.

Oklahoma men's basketball: Breaking down Sooners' roster entering 2022-23 season

“Once I told him he’s got a spot on our team it was over," Moser said. "I get chills thinking about it... Our conversations were about how much he loved Oklahoma. Loved the Oklahoma Sooners. Wanting to play for your state. That was a big thing for me too."

Godwin found himself in a position to contribute right away when he joined OU.

The Sooners' frontcourt depth got depleted in the offseason. Ethan Chargois graduated, Akol Mawein transferred to Sacramento State and Rick Issanza transferred to Loyola Marymount.

That depth got tested during OU's ESPN Events Invitational semifinals game against Seton Hall on Nov. 25. Starting center Tanner Groves only played 15 minutes due to foul trouble, but Godwin shined in his absence.

The veteran forward racked up season-highs of 12 points, six rebounds and two blocks in 21 minutes to help OU advance with a 77-64 win.

"Tanner's energy is really what gets us going," Godwin said after the game. "Coming off the bench, the energy he brings just inspires me to do my thing."

More: Five things to know about OU men's basketball's 2022-23 season

Godwin will have to do his thing Saturday when OU faces an Arkansas team that prides itself on winning the battle down low.

The Razorbacks love to get to the rim on offense. They've scored 59.1% of their points this season from inside the arc, which is the 25th-highest percentage in the nation.

Arkansas also doesn't allow many second-chance opportunities on defense. The team has an opposing offensive rebound percentage of 21.9%, which ranks 16th in the nation.

Frontcourt play will be key for the Sooners, and Godwin will be looked to provide some valuable minutes off the bench.

"His role is he uplifts us when he gets in there," Moser said. "He comes in, that energy is going up... I think it's his mindset why he's been so valuable."

OU vs. Arkansas

TIPOFF: Noon Saturday at BOK Center in Tulsa (ESPN2)

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU men's basketball: Walk-on transfer Sam Godwin is Sooners' X-Factor