Basketball: Former Tustin standout, who got into legal trouble at Notre Dame, is optimistic about Cowboys’ future.

Doug Gottlieb, who spent one troubled year at Notre Dame, said Monday he has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Oklahoma State.

Gottlieb, a 6-foot point guard from Tustin High, sat out last season while attending Golden West College. He played in 27 games, starting 23, at Notre Dame during the 1995-96 season. He averaged 4.6 points and led the team with 154 assists.

But Gottlieb left school that June, then was charged in September with felony theft for using stolen credit cards to buy nearly $1,000 in merchandise. He had taken the credit cards from students in his dormitory.

Gottlieb pleaded guilty in November and was placed on one-year probation, fined $500, plus court costs, and was required to undergo counseling.

“I’m sure people are going to ask about it [at Oklahoma State],” Gottlieb said. “It’s all how you handle yourself from now on. The past is just that. It’s time to move on, learn from the bad experiences and the good ones.”

Gottlieb also was recruited by Marquette, Alabama, Northwest Missouri State, Oregon and California. He said he choose Oklahoma State for several reasons, including the atmosphere.

“Oklahoma State has good young talent and a legendary coach [Eddie Sutton] and it’s a great basketball school,” Gottlieb said. “They not only draw well every game, but it has a real college feel to it.”

Oklahoma State reached the NCAA Final Four in 1995, losing to UCLA in the semifinals. The Cowboys finished 17-15 last season.

“I expect to earn a lot of playing time,” Gottlieb said. “It should be a great situation. They had a point guard by committee last season. They need a true point guard and a leader. I’ll have a lot more freedom than I had at Notre Dame.

“They were in the Final Four two years ago. I don’t see why we can’t get back in the next three years.”

Gottlieb was The Times Orange County player of the year in 1995. He averaged 19 points and nine assists in leading Tustin to a 28-3 record. The Tillers reached the Southern Section Division II-A final, losing to Compton Dominguez, 77-59.

He was a first-team all-county pick as a junior, when he averaged 19 points and nine assists.