Norman's five-star talent, Keeley Parks, returns home from Kansas as the first addition for the Oklahoma Sooners in the transfer portal
Oklahoma women's basketball head coach Jennie Baranczyk announced the signing of former five-star recruit and Norman native Keeley Parks on Monday. The move brings one of Oklahoma's most decorated high school talents back home to the Sooners, where she is expected to make an immediate impact as a rising sophomore.
Parks, a versatile 5-11 guard, spent her freshman season at the University of Kansas before entering the transfer portal. She arrives in Norman with three years of eligibility remaining, providing the Sooners with valuable experience and scoring punch in the backcourt.
Prior to her time in Lawrence, Parks was a standout at Norman High School, where she earned Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year honors in both her junior and senior seasons.
Nationally, she was ranked as the No. 16 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class by USA Today Sports and No. 31 by ESPN, cementing her status as one of the top prospects to emerge from the state in recent memory.
During her lone season at Kansas, Parks appeared in 16 games, earning nine starts—including three in Big 12 Conference play. She averaged 5.1 points and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 34% from three-point range (specifically 33.9% according to detailed stats).
Her freshman campaign featured several standout performances that highlighted her shooting ability and potential. She dropped 11 points against Oral Roberts and another 11 against Missouri State, connecting on three three-pointers in each contest. Against a powerful, undefeated Iowa State squad, Parks contributed nine points while shooting a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, demonstrating her composure under pressure even as a newcomer at the collegiate level.
Before stepping onto the college stage, Parks built an extraordinary legacy at Norman High School. As a senior, she averaged 25.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 5.1 steals, and 3.6 assists per game, leading the Lady Tigers to a 25-3 record.
She guided her team to a state runner-up finish in 2023 and a semifinal appearance in 2025, including a dramatic game-winning shot in a 46-45 victory over Tulsa Union that advanced Norman to the state semifinals.
A three-time Adidas All-American, two-time Oklahoma Super 5 Player of the Year, and MaxPreps All-American, Parks retired from her high school career as Norman High's all-time leading scorer with 1,859 points. Her junior year was equally impressive, with averages of 26.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.6 steals, and 3.0 assists, including a school-record 51-point performance in overtime.Parks joins the Sooners from a deep basketball family.
She is the younger sister of Mikayla Parks, who will enter her senior season at Kansas State in 2026-27. Their parents, Frankie and Melissa, both competed in college basketball. Frankie currently serves as an assistant coach at Southern Nazarene University and spent 11 years on the coaching staff at Norman High School, where he helped shape Keeley's development from an early age.
This family foundation has instilled in Parks a strong work ethic, competitive fire, and deep understanding of the game.
"We're thrilled to welcome Keeley back home to Norman," Baranczyk said in the announcement. "She's one of the top players to come out of this state and brings a special level of talent and competitiveness. She's a perfect fit for our program on and off the court, and I know Sooner Nation is going to love everything she brings to Oklahoma. Keeley has already proven she can perform at a high level, and her experience in the Big 12 will serve her well as we continue building toward our goals."
The addition of Parks comes at an exciting time for Oklahoma women's basketball. Under Baranczyk's leadership, the Sooners have made back-to-back Sweet Sixteen appearances in the NCAA Tournament, establishing themselves as a consistent contender in one of the nation's toughest conferences.
Baranczyk herself has been recognized as a national coach of the year semifinalist for her transformative work in Norman. The program was ranked No. 18 in ESPN's early preseason poll for the 2026-27 season, a projection that did not yet factor in potential transfer additions like Parks.
With her scoring versatility, defensive instincts, and hometown connection, Parks is poised to help Oklahoma push for even deeper postseason runs.
For Parks, the decision represents a full-circle moment, returning to the community where she first honed her skills and became a local legend. Fans will get to see how her blend of elite athleticism, shooting range, and basketball IQ translates in a Sooner uniform.
As the 2026-27 season approaches, this signing signals Baranczyk's commitment to blending high-character, high-talented players who can elevate the program's culture and on-court success.