Oklahoma Sooners Men's Basketball suffers an unexpected loss with the departure of promising 6-foot-9 forward Kuol Atak, a sharpshooting threat, with a versatile skillset
The NCAA transfer portal is officially open, and the Sooners have already lost a key contributor in Kuol Atak.
Atak is a promising young talent whose potential had fans and analysts excited about his future in Norman. A 6-foot-9 forward from Haltom City, Texas, Atak arrived at Oklahoma as a highly regarded four-star prospect out of high school.
Recruited for his ability to stretch the floor with his perimeter shooting, he brought a versatile skill set that many believed could translate well to the high-level competition in the SEC.
Standing tall with a smooth shooting stroke for his size, Atak was expected to develop into a reliable contributor, particularly as a spacing threat who could knock down threes and create mismatches against opposing defenses.
In his redshirt freshman campaign during the 2025-26 season, Atak appeared in 24 games off the bench, logging an average of 12.4 minutes per contest. He posted solid per-game averages of 7.0 points and 1.3 rebounds while shooting an impressive 46.5% from the field overall and a scorching 41.3% from three-point range.
His efficiency from beyond the arc highlighted exactly why scouts had been high on him coming out of high school, he possessed the rare combination of height and shooting touch that can open up driving lanes for teammates and force defenses to respect the perimeter.
Atak made his presence felt most prominently during nonconference play, where he enjoyed several breakout performances. He recorded seven games with at least 10 points, capped by a standout 24-point explosion against Mississippi Valley State. That game showcased his scoring versatility and confidence from long range.
He carried that momentum into conference action as well.
In Oklahoma’s SEC opener against Ole Miss, Atak dropped 14 points on efficient 5-of-10 shooting, including 4-of-9 from three. Later in the season, he delivered an even more impressive display against Georgia, pouring in 18 points while going a remarkable 6-for-7 from beyond the arc.
Those moments demonstrated flashes of the high-upside player many had projected him to become.Despite the limited minutes, Atak’s ability to provide instant offense as a stretch forward added a valuable dimension to the Sooners’ attack.
His shooting percentage from deep ranked among the better marks for players in his role, and he showed glimpses of being able to impact games in short bursts.
With three years of eligibility remaining, Atak enters the transfer portal as a player who should attract significant interest from programs across the country. His combination of size, shooting ability, and proven production in spot minutes suggests he could thrive in a larger role elsewhere, potentially becoming a key piece for a team seeking frontcourt spacing and scoring punch.
For the Sooners, losing Atak compounds an already challenging offseason in terms of roster construction. Several players have made their intentions known in recent days, signaling a period of significant transition under head coach Porter Moser.
Among the early exits are guard Jeff Nwankwo, forward Andreas Holst, and guard Jake Hansen. While those departures were anticipated to varying degrees, the most notable loss so far appears Atak.
Oklahoma must replace a substantial portion of its rotation due to players exhausting their eligibility. Key departures include redshirt senior guard Nijel Pack, who provided veteran leadership and scoring; senior forward Tae Davis, a reliable contributor on both ends; senior center/forward Mohamed Wague, who anchored the frontcourt with rebounding and interior presence; and redshirt senior guard Jadon Jones, another experienced piece in the backcourt.
These losses represent significant minutes and production that will need to be filled through the transfer portal, incoming freshmen, and returning players stepping up.
The Sooners finished the 2025-26 season with an up-and-down record that included a trip to the College Basketball Crown, but the program now faces the reality of rebuilding large segments of the lineup.
Porter Moser and his staff will likely be active in the portal themselves, targeting experienced transfers to help maintain competitiveness in the SEC. Atak’s departure, while disappointing given his potential, and it is a bit of a surprise considering he was expected to take on a larger role with the Sooners next season.
As the portal window continues, Oklahoma fans will be watching closely to see how the program responds. Atak, meanwhile, is poised to land in a new environment where his shooting skills and size can be featured more prominently.
Overall, the Sooners have their work cut out for them as they aim to reload quickly. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether they can offset these departures and build a competitive squad for next season.
Kuol Atak’s exit marks one of the more notable early moves, but it also opens the door for new talent to step into the spotlight in Norman.