SHAWNEE – Oklahoma Baptist men's basketball head coach
Jason Eaker and assistant
MJ Smith signed seven student-athletes during this past recruiting cycle. Over the next couple of days, we'll tell you about those young men who have joined the green and gold.
Chase Dupree | Combo Guard | 6-3 | Atlanta, GA | Southwest HS
A standout at Southwest, he left the program with more than 2,000 points, a school and county record. Dupree was named Region Player of the Year for three consecutive seasons (2024-26) as well. During the 2026 campaign, he earned Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) Player of the Year honors, and a year prior was recognized as Co-Player of the Year. Furthermore, the Atlanta Journal Constitution named him First Team All-State during his junior and senior campaigns, seasons in which Southwest was state runner-ups.
Coach Eaker's thoughts: "What's exciting about Chase is the fact that's he's a winner having been to the state championship the last two seasons. He comes from an absolute fantastic family and was raised by the best in his mother and father. Basketball wise, Chase is a gym rat who can score in so many ways playing multiple positions. But what's most exciting to our staff is how he defends and causes opponents headaches on the defensive end of the floor."
Jack Sheriff | Point Guard | 6-2 | Edmond, OK | Edmond Memorial HS
During his days at Edmond Memorial, Sheriff was a two-time All-District and All-Central Oklahoma Athletic Conference (COAC) award winner. Plus, Sheriff earned All-State recognition too. He plans on majoring in theology at OBU.
Coach Eaker's thoughts "Jack has been an outstanding addition to our squad, and he is prepared in every way to be a valuable member of a championship caliber program. He comes to us immediately after playing for the best high school coach in Oklahoma these last four seasons. Jack has established himself as a spiritual leader within our unit and he checks all the boxes of what we are about. His ability and presence to play the point guard position - from the vantage point of whatever winning and the team requires - we will take zero credit for and that's why recruiting decisions make or break all of us. Jack's family and past coaches certainly have provided him with outstanding support and examples, but what sets Jack apart is who he continues to become and strive to be."
Jake Thomas | Power Forward | 6-6 | Mount Pleasant, SC | Moravian Prep
High-motor player who is an effective rebounder on both ends of the floor. Has also displayed being a consistent finisher around the rim. Thomas played on the club circuit with EYBL Champions. During the most recent season, he averaged 10 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, shot 33 percent from deep and added 1.4 assists per contest.
Coach Eaker's thoughts: "OBU Basketball and
Jake Thomas are a match made in heaven. With us losing Jose (Waring) and Jackson (Greene), we were hard at work looking for someone of that ilk and we hit the jackpot in that pursuit. Jake is everything we value in high character, versatility, defending, winning, toughness, size and a great feel and understanding of the game at such a young age. Above all else Jake, is a winner and champion on and off the basketball court who will make an immediate impact."
Press Lippoldt | Small Forward | 6-4 | Tuttle, OK | Blanchard HS
Brother of former player
Ty Lippoldt who graduated last season. During this past season at Blanchard, Lippoldt helped the Lions to a 23-6 record and appearance in the OSSAA Boys Basketball Championship Tournament. Over the past two seasons, Blanchard has attained a 43-14 record. He intends to major in athletic coaching.
Coach Eaker's thoughts: "Press is someone who we have had our eye on for several years watching and following his development. He can defend and rebound very well and he's an attacking athletic wing who can score in different ways. Signing Press is OBU Basketball continuing to stick with our winning formula which is a younger player who wants to keep developing, and who comes from a great family. He's a wonderful youngster with a great upside and has an uncommon coach ability and team-first mentality that embodies our program."
