Unknown Oklahoma freshman already demanding more playing time after one game

If Sooner Nation had its way after what it saw Monday night, Oklahoma redshirt freshman forward Kuol Atak wouldn’t ever come off the court, let alone need to come off the bench.

Although rather unknown before, Atak ended up being the Sooners’ star in their season-opening 102-66 win against St. Francis on Monday at Lloyd Noble Center.

Kuol Atak impresses in Sooners debut

After redshirting last season, Atak came off the bench to play 20 minutes in his college debut. He promptly led the Sooners with 18 points, plus two rebounds and a block. He was one of five Sooners to score double-digits in the opener, as Derrion Reid, a former five-star recruit who just transferred from Alabama and started over Atak, was the only starter who didn’t reach double-digits.

But beyond the stats, Atak just flat out looked like a star. He was scary using his dribble to make four 3-pointers at his size. There was a span of 4:07 in the second half where Atak was unguardable while scoring 13 points with three makes from beyond the arc and a monster dunk in the span. His block on the other end was also spectacular.

Despite the impressive debut, though, it will be hard for OU head coach Porter Moser to justify starting Atak already this early in the season. Even though he scored just seven points on Monday, Reid has the talent to be one of the best players in the SEC if he reaches his expectations. Replacing Reid is still probably Atak’s best case in the starting lineup, though.

Moser already went with a big lineup that also included 6-foot-10 Mohamed Wague and 6-foot-9 Tae Davis. Both are veterans with proven Power Four experience. Both are also bigger than Atak, who’s listed at 6-foot-9. Reid, though, is 6-foot-8, so Atak’s added size could eventually benefit the Sooners, especially in SEC play.

Wague posted a double-double with 16 points and a team-high 10 rebounds, plus three blocks and a steal. He’s obviously not leaving the starting lineup anytime soon. Davis had 14 points and eight rebounds. Reid actually barely out-rebounded Atak with three, as well as three assists, a steal and two blocks.

Regardless, four big men who are already known assets fighting for playing time is a good problem for Moser to have, especially since the Sooners’ biggest setback last season was getting dominated down low throughout SEC play. A real test to know just how solid the Sooners are in the paint will come in their next outing against No. 21 Gonzaga at 9:30 p.m. CT Saturday in Spokane, Washington.