Teeng Akol, a 7 foot, 239-pound native of the Sudan, has committed to Oklahoma State.
“He visited Saturday and Sunday,” said Fatah Muraisi, Akol’s advisor and mentor. “He liked everything, from (head coach) Travis Ford to recruiting coordinator Steve Middleton to the academic support they have. He liked the whole environment. It’s a high major program.”
Akol originally committed to South Florida, but then changed his mind. He also considered Nebraska, but did not end up visiting that campus. Ford had recruited Akol, who was at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. this past season, when Ford was at UMass.
“Travis recruited him for the last two years when he was at UMass and now,” Muraisi said. “Travis knows Teeng’s style.”
Muraisi added that Akol knows several Oklahoma State players, including 6-11 F/C Ibrahima Thomas, who is remaining with the team and not transferring, despite rumors to the contrary.
“Teeng knows Ibrahima Thomas,” Muraisi said. “Just having some other people there that he knew, that was a big plus.”