Work ethic, Circumstances led Hammer to Connors State

Work ethic, Circumstances led Hammer to Connors State
Posted: Feb 22, 2024

Warner, OK- A strong work ethic and fortuitous circumstances have been the keys to this small town-boy-makes-good story about Connors State basketball freshman Buddy Hammer.

After taking Westville to the area consolation finals last year, Buddy and his 6-7 frame had a couple of junior colleges eyeing him seriously and then Connor's Hall of Fame coach Bill Muse and his son, assistant coach Bill Muse Jr., entered the picture.

"We got on Buddy a little late but when I saw him play, I knew he had a chance to be a really big-time player, so we recruited him hard," said the elder Muse. "He's just very athletic and can score from inside or outside and he's a tough matchup because of his athleticism. He's one of the best Oklahoma recruits we've had in the past few years."

"I talked to big Muse and junior a lot and prayed about it and I just felt like this is where God wanted me to be," said Hammer who's averaging 14 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.

But at the start of the season Buddy's future was unclear. Among the transfers that Muse brought in was a 6-9 center from Division-I Florida A&M, Saiyd Burnside.

"I figured since he had D-I experience and was a sophomore I would have to work really hard to make myself seen," said Hammer. and as it turned out Burnside was beset by injuries early on and Buddy got his chance to start, and no one has been able to dislodge him from that spot.

"I felt all along that he would eventually take over the starting spot at some point and so to see him have the kind of season he's having is great though not necessarily a surprise," said Muse.

Hammer says there are several things that have been adjustments for him coming from a small-town high school.

"I think the speed, the size, the physicality and the shot clock were the main things I had to adjust to going to college ball, especially the size because there weren't a lot of guys bigger than me playing at the 3A level in high school," said Hammer.

As the regular season winds down, the Cowboys find themselves in a battle with NEO for the top seed in the Region 2 post season tournament which will again be played at Muskogee's Rougher Village March 13-16.

"I don't pay a lot of attention to stats or standings," said Hammer. "I just go out and play my game and play to win and help make the team better to get us to the national tournament this year."