Oklahoma State's basketball coach, Steve Lutz, is focusing on personality assessments to build a more cohesive team. This season, he relied heavily on the "Profile" test, a behavioral assessment used to gauge players' character traits, communication styles, and decision-making abilities. Lutz believes that a more intentional approach in evaluating players' personalities will help avoid internal conflicts observed in past seasons, like suspensions and on-court deficiencies. Increased funding has also allowed Lutz to attract more well-rounded talent that aligns with the team's cultural goals.

By the Numbers
  • Profile takes 15 to 30 minutes for players to complete.
  • Marcus Domask, a player recruited using similar assessments, averaged 15.9 points and 5 rebounds per game for Illinois.
State of Play
  • Last season, the Cowboys dealt with internal issues, including suspensions and inconsistent effort.
  • Lutz has more funds this season to recruit higher-caliber players with both talent and strong character.
What's Next

Future recruitments will likely prioritize fit and personality alignment, potentially leading to a stronger locker room dynamic and improved on-court performance. Lutz's approach may influence other programs to adopt similar strategies in roster construction.

Bottom Line

By leveraging personality assessments and increased funding, Oklahoma State aims to build a more cohesive and successful basketball team, emphasizing the importance of character and cultural fit alongside talent.