University of Oklahoma Athletics
OU Signs Top Juco Power Forward Akol Mawein
May 26, 2021 | Men's Basketball
NORMAN — Oklahoma head men's basketball coach Porter Moser announced the signing of Akol Mawein (pronounced uh-COLE MAY-win) to a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday, marking OU's fifth newcomer since Moser took the program's reins on April 3. Mawein is rated by 247Sports as the No. 4 overall junior college recruit in the 2021 class and the No. 1 power forward.
The 6-10, 230-pound Mawein, who was born in South Sudan and grew up in Sydney, Australia, spent the last two years at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas. In 22 games this past season he averaged 12.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.0 assist while adding 17 steals and 13 blocks as Navarro finished 16-6 and won 10 of its last 11 contests. He scored at least 15 points in nine games and shot 48.1% from the field, 31.3% from 3-point range (21 of 67) and 70.2% from the free throw line (66 of 94).
"I really love his skill level. He's just different with how versatile he is. And I like his mentality. It's been refreshing during our conversations to hear how badly he wants to be a great player."
Porter Moser
As a freshman in 2019-20, Mawein, nicknamed "AK," played in 29 games and averaged 13.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists per outing while shooting 47.5% from the field, 32.8% from behind the arc (21 of 64) and 62.4% from the free throw line (88 of 141). Included was a four-game stretch in which he scored 28, 22, 31 and 25 points.
"AK gives us length, athleticism and versatility, as well as a competitiveness," said Moser. "He's got a 7-3 wingspan and can play multiple positions, including on the wing. I really love his skill level; he can knock down shots but he can also drive on you. He's just different with how versatile he is. And I like his mentality. He's all about improving. It's just been refreshing during our conversations to hear how badly he wants to be a great player."
Mawein, who signed with Arkansas in November but was released from his letter of intent, played his final two years of high school basketball at Southwest Christian Academy in Little Rock, Ark., and helped the Lions to the National Association of Christian Athletes championship game both seasons. He joins fellow incoming transfers Ethan Chargois (forward from SMU), Jordan Goldwire (guard from Duke), and Tanner and Jacob Groves (forwards from Eastern Washington).
