Getting to know Sooners: Rivaldo Soares
Sooners basketball season is just around the corner, and it’s OK if you need a primer of who these guys are. Now in year No. 3 at Oklahoma, head coach Porter Moser is confident the program has checked all the boxes to make an NCAA run.
Here is a brief overview of some of the key pieces for OU for the 2023-24 season.
OU begins its season next Monday vs. Central Michigan in Norman.
Guard Rivaldo Soares – Super Senior
Easy dots here to connect. Once OU hired Armon Gates as an assistant coach, you started to look through the Oregon roster. Soares hit the portal, OK, bring them both to Norman from Eugene.
Soares’ shooting will be something to really monitor. If he can stretch the floor, he’s going to have a very nice spot in Norman.
He was the third transfer to be added, and the first super senior. OU needed some older guys, and Soares checked that box.
What to expect?
It’s hard to think he’ll be doing the same things he was doing with the Ducks. A lesser role might not be the term, but a different one. That’s the challenge of a team with so many portal guys. What you did at your previous spot might not translate nearly as much at the next.
If nothing else, you know Soares will bring the defensive intensity. He’s someone who was usually asked to take on the opponent’s best scorer. If you can do that in the Pac-12, then that will probably translate just fine to the Big 12.
Soares said he’s feeling right at home in Norman. He’s excited to work once again with Gates and believes in Moser’s vision. We’ll see if they can all put it together.
Moser says
“At 6-6, Rivaldo gives us a long and competitive athletic wing who has played at the highest level. He is an elite defender who can create offense with his defense. At Oregon, he was always tasked to guard the other team’s best player. His addition to the roster continues to build our length and athleticism as we aim to build a more athletic and up-tempo team.”
