Louisville's Khani Rooths brings size and athleticism to Oklahoma's frontcourt, as the versatile forward aims for expanded minutes and a key role with the Sooners
In a swift move to bolster their frontcourt for the 2026-27 season, Oklahoma men's basketball has secured its first transfer portal commitment of the offseason, landing 6-foot-10 forward Khani Rooths from Louisville.
The announcement marks an early win for head coach Porter Moser and new general manager Lucas McKay as the Sooners look to rebuild depth following significant roster turnover.
Rooths, a former consensus four-star recruit out of IMG Academy in Florida and a top-40 prospect in the 2024 high school class, brings immediate size, athleticism, and two remaining years of eligibility to Norman.
Originally from Washington, D.C., the 215-pound forward decommitted from Michigan after Juwan Howard's departure and ultimately chose Louisville to play under head coach Pat Kelsey. Michigan remained in the mix during his transfer recruitment, but Rooths saw a better opportunity with the Sooners.
At Louisville, Rooths played a developing but limited role across two seasons. As a sophomore in 2025-26, he appeared in 31 games with two starts, averaging 5.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game in 15.9 minutes off the bench.
He shot 44.9 percent from the field and 64.9 percent from the free-throw line while adding 0.5 blocks and 0.6 steals.
Rooths flashed potential in spot starts and key moments, recording three double-doubles, including 16 points and 10 rebounds in his first career start against Jackson State and back-to-back double-doubles in ACC play against SMU (12 points, 10 rebounds) and Notre Dame (12 points, 12 rebounds).
His career high came with 20 points in the season opener versus South Carolina State.
Over his full two-year stint with the Cardinals (66 games total), Rooths averaged 4.2 points and 3.6 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per contest while shooting 42.3 percent overall.
Though his three-point shooting (around 22-28 percent) remains a work in progress, scouts note his improved frame, he grew two inches after high school, and his ability to run the floor, finish at the rim, and provide defensive versatility as a forward who can guard multiple positions.
Ranked as the No. 103 overall player and No. 23 power forward in the 2026 transfer portal class by 247Sports, Rooths is viewed as a high-upside addition who could thrive with expanded minutes.
The move addresses a clear need for Oklahoma. The Sooners lost key frontcourt pieces to eligibility and the portal, including starters Tae Davis and Mohamed Wague as well as backup center Kirill Elatontsev.
Returning bigs like junior forward Derrion Reid and sophomore center Kai Rogers will form the core, alongside incoming freshman power forward Gage Mayfield, a four-star signee.
Rooths slots in as a versatile post body who can complement those pieces, offering length and athleticism that fits Moser's emphasis on toughness, defensive intensity, and up-tempo play.
With eight roster spots still open heading into the 2026-27 campaign, this commitment signals an aggressive approach to filling gaps left by departures like Nijel Pack and Jeff Nwankwo.
Rooths' arrival gives Oklahoma a ready-made rotation player who showed flashes of production in a competitive ACC environment. He could be a breakout candidate for OU this season with consistent minutes, improved shooting touch, and a larger role. His numbers could easily climb into double figures while adding rim protection and rebounding punch.
This addition injects youth and size into a frontcourt that needed reinforcement. As the portal window continues and the transfer market heats up, Oklahoma's early strike on a former top-35 recruit like Rooths could set the tone for a productive offseason.
Louisville, undergoing its own rebuild under Kelsey with multiple frontcourt exits, loses a promising young piece, while Oklahoma gains a high-motor forward with proven ACC experience and untapped potential.
Expect Rooths to compete immediately for minutes alongside Reid and Rogers, potentially forming a versatile and athletic frontcourt trio.
Khani Rooths isn't just a depth add, he represents the first building block in what could be a revamped and competitive Oklahoma lineup. The Sooners now turn their attention to filling the remaining scholarship spots, but Monday's news already gives the program a tangible boost in size, skill, and future outlook.