When Blake Griffin started his first game as an OU freshman, there were high expectations. But after living up to his hype and giving the fans more than they had bargained for two years in a row, Griffin is now on his way to the NBA.

For the few years that older brother Taylor Griffin was the Sooners’ only Griffin in the OU lineup, Blake was in high school waiting to explode on the scene. His potential was unquestionable and his athleticism was unfathomable.

Despite high expectations, not many expected the immediate impact Blake Griffin would make his freshman year, and his astounding sophomore season only added to his reputation.

Coming off of a first round NCAA tournament loss in the 2007-2008 season, Griffin and the rest of the Sooners went into an offseason of hard work and preparation.

Since first OU basketball game in the 2008-2009 season, Griffin has been regarded as the best player in college basketball.

During the year, Griffin set the Big 12 Conference record for double-doubles in a season with 30, one shy of David Robinson’s 1986-1987 record setting 31 double-doubles.

He led OU with 23 points and 15 rebounds per game and led the nation in rebounding. He also set the Big 12 record for rebounds in a season with 504.

Texas Tech head coach Pat Knight compared Griffin to the “Terminator,” after his team gave up 40 points and 23 rebounds to the All-American.

ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said, “If you locked all of the college basketball players in the country in a room and only one could battle his way out, it would be Blake Griffin coming out of that room.”

The whole country watched as Griffin battled injuries and took cheap shots from opposing players. He was hit in the groin, tripped, elbowed and on February 21, 2009, against the Texas Longhorns, Griffin received a concussion that would sideline him for the rest of the game and result in the Sooners first conference loss.

After two games of resting, Griffin led the Sooners to a 78-63 victory over Texas Tech as he dove into the crowd for loose balls and racked up 20 points and 19 rebounds.

Griffin’s sophomore season solidified a spot for his jersey to be hung in the rafters at Lloyd Noble.

He carried the Sooners to a 31-6 overall record and a long-awaited 10th Elite Eight appearance. A heartbreak loss to the eventual national champion North Carolina Tar Heels ended his college career but opened up the door for a career in the NBA.

On April 5, Griffin won the Naismith Trophy, given to the best player in college basketball. The honor made OU the first school to ever have Heisman and Naismith Trophy winners in the same academic year.

At 6-10 and 250 lbs, Griffin made his way from being a McDonald’s All-American in high school to the NCAA Player of the year, and is now at the top of every teams’ draft board.

“Blake Griffin is a man,” ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith said. “You can end whatever speculation there is right now. Come June, he will be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft by anyone who gets it.”