RECRUITING: Bishop Gorman basketball standout Ellenberg orally commits to Oklahoma

Aaryn Ellenberg makes the game look so easy, Bishop Gorman girls basketball coach Sheryl Krmpotich compared the junior’s athletic prowess to Michael Jordan and Walter Payton.

High praise, but Krmpotich isn’t the only one lauding the 5-foot-7-inch combo guard. Ellenberg also has raised eyebrows among college coaches across the country.

But she has ended the recruiting process.

Ellenberg said Thursday she orally has committed to Oklahoma. She committed by phone Monday to Sooners head coach Sherri Coale.

She made an unofficial visit to Oklahoma last month. It was enough to solidify her choice, and she picked the Sooners over Arizona State, California, Baylor and Connecticut.

“I got a feeling that’s the place I wanted to be,” Ellenberg said. “I really like the campus. Everybody was really nice. I took a tour around the campus and really liked it.”

Ellenberg averaged 18 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 3.1 steals this season, leading the Gaels to a 29-5 record and second-place Class 4A finish in the state.

Gorman’s streak of three consecutive state titles ended in heartbreak, with a 59-58 loss to rival Centennial in the state final at the Orleans Arena on Feb. 27.

And Ellenberg already is recharging for next season.

“I don’t have to worry about the (college) decision,” she said. “I can just focus on school and playing.

“We just lost our title, so we’re looking to get it back. That’s the main goal.”

Ellenberg said most recruiters viewed her as a point guard because of her size, but she said she could play either guard spot for the Sooners.

“She’s probably one of the best guards I’ve ever coached,” said Krmpotich, who has coached 19 Division I signees in 10 years. “She makes the game look easy, effortless.”

Ellenberg’s strengths are her mid-range jumper and ability to get to the basket, Krmpotich said.

“She changes speeds better than anybody I’ve ever seen,” Krmpotich said. “She’s exactly what a lot of the colleges need right now — a person to come in and change the game and make a difference.”

In November, Gorman 6-foot-4-inch post player Dannielle Diamant signed with Northwestern. Another Gaels senior could sign during the April 15 to May 20 signing period, Krmpotich said.

Gorman wing Yahindra Edwards is drawing interest from Austin Peay, Alabama State, Houston and Southeast Missouri State, Krmpotich said.

“She can play a two (position) through five in a conference like those,” Krmpotich said of Edwards.

Ellenberg will be set to ink her name on a national letter of intent during the early signing period in November.

“They’ll take care of (Ellenberg),” Krmpotich said of the Sooners. “She deserves that. I really feel that Coach Coale is going to groom her to be one of the best in the country.

“I think it’s a weight off her shoulders. She knew when she stepped on the campus, it was right.”