The most bizarre and controversial trend in college basketball has made it to Oklahoma, but desperate times call for desperate measures when head coach Porter Moser needs to win games and save his job that's already on life support heading into the 2026-27 season.
On3's Joe Tipton reported on Monday that former NBA G League player Akoldah Gak, listed at 6-foot-11, committed to OU to fill the Sooners' biggest need at center after being rather weak at the position the last few seasons, which is crucial in SEC play. Gak, though, by all beliefs, should be the best big man the Sooners have had in six seasons under Moser.
Akoldah Gak commits to Sooners as part of growing college basketball trend
Gak played two seasons in the G League, which is the NBA's minor league organization. He first played with the Mexico City Capitanes during the 2024-25 season, then the Capital City Go-Go, the Washington Wizards' affiliate, last season.
Last season in 33 games with two starts, Gak averaged 7.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 16.6 minutes. He put up at least 20 points in game twice. He also averaged 4.7 points and 3.7 in 12 games with the Capitanes.
Here’s a look at new #Sooners center Akoldah Gak, a lob threat with quick twitch, good mobility, and strong rebounding ability. pic.twitter.com/iJS2cK1Xjk
— Brody Lusk (@BrodyLusk) April 27, 2026
Gak is originally from Sydney, Australia, and played for the Illawarra Hawks of Australia's National Basketball League before going overseas. He spent three years with the Hawks before entering the 2022 NBA Draft but going undrafted. He then appeared in two games in the NBA Summer League with the Chicago, then spent two seasons with the NBL's Cairn Terrapins.
Between all that experience as a former pro, the main number fans are likely curious about is Gak's age. He's 23 years old, but will be 24 by the time the 2026-27 season tips off. He's expected to have one year of eligibility.
Gak immediately gives the Sooners a seasoned veteran down low. This might be his first go in the college ranks, but he's spent his entire career going head-to-head with pros to this point. He also has dominant size in the paint, but is still athletic and versatile with the ability to shoot from beyond the arc.
Read more: Who’s in and who’s out?: Oklahoma basketball’s 2026 Transfer Portal tracker
Texas A&M also added a guard from the G League this offseason in Bryson Warren. Alabama prompted this trend last season when forward Charles Bediako joined the Crimson Tide from the G League. Bediako, listed at 7-foot, appeared in just five games with two starts, though, averaging 10.0 points and 4.6 rebounds. Gak is considered a better G League player than Bediako by most.
Whether or not fans agree with former professionals returning to college basketball, it's currently allowed, so it's either a resource Moser takes advantage of to benefit the Sooners, or someone else uses it to beat the Sooners.
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