New GM Lucas McKay joins head coach Porter Moser, as they look to reshape the Sooners' roster in the NCAA Transfer Portal
The NCAA Men's Basketball transfer portal officially opens today. The Oklahoma Sooners men’s basketball program under head coach Porter Moser will have a much clearer picture of its 2026-2027 roster in the coming weeks.
On Monday, Oklahoma officially announced the hiring of Lucas McKay as the team's general manager, and he'll get to work right away to help Moser assemble the roster. McKay comes over from Clemson, where he held the same position.
As of April 7, 2026, the Sooners return eight scholarship players, add one high-profile freshman, and say goodbye to five players who exhausted eligibility plus two who entered the portal.
No incoming transfers have been announced yet, leaving the coaching staff potentially hunting for depth pieces before the spring window closes.
The returning core brings a blend of experience, size, and continuity that should allow Oklahoma to compete in the SEC.
Leading the way is senior guard Xzayvier Brown (6-2), a proven veteran who has started extensively and provides stability at the point. Brown’s basketball IQ and leadership will be crucial as the Sooners replace multiple departed guards.
Joining him in the backcourt are juniors Dayton Forsythe (6-2) and redshirt sophomore Kuol Atak, both of whom saw increased roles last season and now step into larger responsibilities.
The frontcourt returns significant length and athleticism. Junior forward Derrion Reid (6-8) is poised for a breakout year after flashing scoring ability and defensive versatility as a sophomore.
Sophomore Kai Rogers (6-10) gives Oklahoma a true center presence with rim-protecting tools and improving touch around the basket. Redshirt sophomore Kuol Atak (listed as forward) adds frontcourt depth, while sophomore guard Jake Hansen (6-0) and redshirt freshman forward Finley Keeffe (6-7) provide valuable multi-positional flexibility off the bench.
Freshman Gage Mayfield (6-8) arrives as the lone incoming scholarship freshman; his length and motor should make him an immediate contributor in Moser’s system.
On the departure side, Oklahoma loses a handful of veterans to eligibility and the portal. Guards Nijel Pack and Jadon Jones, forwards Tae Davis, and centers Mo Wague and Kirill Elatontsev have all played their final games in crimson and cream. Pack, in particular, was a steady veteran presence whose departure thins the experienced guard rotation.
The Sooners also bid farewell to two players who entered the transfer portal: guard Jeff Nwankwo and forward Andreas Holst. Both saw limited minutes but contributed to depth; their exits open scholarship spots that Moser may look to fill with proven portal talent before summer workouts begin.
The current scholarship count sits at nine (including Mayfield), giving Oklahoma room to add one or two more pieces via the portal if the right fits emerge. Moser has historically prioritized culture and fit over star power, and that approach appears to be in play again.
The 2026-2027 group features impressive size with four players 6-7 or taller, and a backcourt that can grow together. Brown and Forsythe will likely form the starting guard tandem, while Reid and Rogers anchor the paint. Keeffe and Hansen offer energy and shooting off the bench, and Mayfield could rotate in immediately as a stretch-four or small-ball five.
Strengths are obvious: length, defensive potential, and returning experience at key positions. Questions remain around perimeter scoring depth and whether the guard rotation can replace the production lost from Pack and Jones.
With no early NBA Draft declarations, Oklahoma avoided another layer of attrition that has plagued some SEC programs. The Sooners will lean heavily on internal development and the chemistry built through spring and summer workouts.
Looking ahead, this roster gives Moser a foundation to build upon rather than a complete rebuild. If Oklahoma can add one or two veteran transfers, ideally a scoring guard or a backup big, they could push for the upper half of the league standings.
Even without immediate additions, the mix of seniors, juniors, and promising underclassmen suggests a competitive, gritty team that will be tough to play against on the defensive end.
For now, the 2026-2027 Sooners roster stands at a lean but talented nine scholarship players, with Gage Mayfield injecting fresh energy into the frontcourt. The squad will be defined by length, defensive intensity, and veteran leadership from Xzayvier Brown.
2026-2027 Oklahoma Men's Basketball Roster
-- G Xzayvier Brown, 6-foot-2, senior
-- F Derrion Reid, 6-foot-8, junior
-- G Dayton Forsythe, 6-foot-2, junior
-- F Kuol Atak, redshirt sophomore
-- F/C Kai Rogers, 6-foot-10, sophomore
-- G Jake Hansen, 6-foot, sophomore
-- F Finley Keeffe, 6-foot-7, redshirt freshman
-- F Gage Mayfield, 6-foot-8, freshman
Players out of eligibility: G Nijel Pack, G Jadon Jones, F Tae Davis, C Mo Wague, C Kirill Elatontsev, G Reid Lovelace
Incoming freshmen: F Gage Mayfield
NBA Draft early declarations: N/A
Outgoing transfers: G Jeff Nwankwo; F Andreas Holst
Incoming transfers: N/A