Oklahoma freshman Blake Griffin to return next season

Oklahoma freshman Blake Griffin said Wednesday that he is returning to play next season for the Sooners.

Griffin, a 6-9 forward, was named first team All-Big 12 by the Associated Press and league coaches after averaging 14.7 points and 9.1 rebounds. He shot 56.8 percent from the field.

“Obviously it means a lot to our program to have a guy who will be one of the best players in college basketball next year coming back,” Oklahoma Coach Jeff Capel said.

--Blair Kerkhoff, bkerkhoff@kcstar.com