NORMAN – Oklahoma head men’s basketball coach Porter Moser announced the additions of Dayton Forsythe and Kuol Atak to the 2024 signing class on Wednesday.
DAYTON FORSYTHE, 6-2, GUARD, DALE, OKLA.
Forsythe, a 6-foot-2 combo guard, is a three-star prospect by On3, 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals. The Dale, Okla., product attended Dale High School and is the No. 1 recruit in Oklahoma by On3 and 247Sports.
Forsythe was named the 2023 Tulsa World’s State Boys Basketball Player of the Year, becoming the first junior to win the award since former Oklahoma standout Trae Young earned the honor after his 2015-16 campaign at Norman North. The Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Association tabbed him as the 2023 2A Player of the Year and 2022 Region Player of the Year. He also garnered 2022 Tulsa Word All-State first team honors as a sophomore.
“Dayton is everything we are about at OU and will fit our culture perfectly,” said Moser. “He has won back-to-back state championships at Dale and is primed to win a third this season. Dayton has extreme toughness, competitive drive and skill. His love for the Sooners and pride to play for the University of Oklahoma made him a perfect fit. He was an absolute priority for our staff to keep in his home state.”
Forsythe led Dale to back-to-back Oklahoma Class 2A State Championships in 2021-22 and 2022-23. Dale remained unbeaten during the 2022-23 slate, finishing the season 32-0 and capping the year with a 78-52 triumph over Oklahoma Christian Academy. Forsythe recorded 29 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
In the 2023 Tournament of Champions, Forsythe propelled Dale to the tournament crown and earned MVP honors, averaging 25.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists over three games.
During his junior campaign, Forsythe averaged 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per contest. He shot 53% from the field, 40% from three and 81% from the free throw line.
In the 2021-22 Class 2A title game, Forsythe tallied 37 points, eight rebounds and four assists, helping Dale win its first boy’s championship in program history. The Pirates finished the season 29-2.
In 25 games for Team Griffin in the Nike EYBL, he averaged 12.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per outing. Forsythe shot 39% (89-229) from the field, 35% (35-101) from three and 84% (85-101) from the free throw line.
KUOL ATAK, 6-9, FORWARD, HALTOM CITY, TEXAS
Atak, a 6-foot-9 forward, is a four-star prospect by On3 and ESPN and a three-star by 247Sports and Rivals. The Haltom City, Texas, product is ranked No. 70 nationally by On3, No. 113 by 247Sports and 127 by Rivals. He is the No. 3 prospect in Texas and No. 11 power forward by On3.
During the 2022-23 campaign, Atak averaged 22.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.2 steals per outing. He shot 45% (223-499) from the field, 39% (92-237) from three and 89% (136-153) from the line. Atak was named to the Texas District 4 6A first team and earned team MVP honors for Haltom High School.
“We are excited for Kuol to join our family,” said Moser. “At 6-9, he has been rated as a top-10 shooter by almost every scouting service in the country. Kuol has an extremely high and quick release, and the greatest quality in all elite shooters – a confidence in his shot. I love his worth ethic and desire to get better. He will also be a factor on the defensive end with his tremendous length.”
As a sophomore, he averaged 9.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.3 assists per contest and was named Haltom’s offensive player of the year. Atak earned Texas District 3 6A first team honors in 2021-22 and honorable mention accolades in 2020-21.
He competed on the NY2LA Association AAU circuit for 3D Empire and was named the top prospect at the U16 level. Atok averaged 31.0 points per outing in four games of the 2022 Mavs Fall Classic.