Tae Davis’ Commitment to Oklahoma Signals a Promising Shift in Sooner Basketball

It’s been a long time since Oklahoma basketball felt like it was building toward something sustainable. In the shadows of football dominance and operating in the high-stakes, high-talent world of SEC hoops, the Sooners have struggled for consistency and identity under head coach Porter Moser. But that might finally be starting to change.

On April 7, Oklahoma landed one of its most important transfer portal commitments of the Porter Moser era—former Notre Dame forward Tae Davis. While Davis is also entering the NBA Draft process to test the waters, he has made it clear that if he returns to college basketball, Norman is where he’s headed. That’s not just a roster addition—it’s a statement.

Davis, a 6-foot-9 forward, is coming off a breakout junior season in South Bend. He averaged 15.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 47.6% from the field and a career-best 30.2% from three-point range. Those numbers were enough to make him a finalist for the ACC’s Most Improved Player, and they reveal a player whose game is still developing, still trending upward. He scored 20+ points in eight games last season and was Notre Dame’s go-to scorer when star guard Markus Burton missed time with injury.

Now, he’s poised to bring that production—and perhaps more—to a Sooners team looking for both talent and leadership.

Let’s be honest. The 2024-25 season was a mixed bag for Oklahoma. The Sooners finished 20-14 overall, but a disappointing 6-12 record in SEC play highlighted the struggles of competing in one of the deepest conferences in college basketball. They did, however, manage to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time under Moser, only to bow out in the first round to UConn. While that appearance was a positive step, it didn’t do much to silence critics or ignite real excitement about the program’s long-term trajectory.

That’s what makes the addition of Davis so impactful.

First, his commitment comes at a time when Oklahoma is experiencing significant roster turnover. Several key players have entered the transfer portal, including Duke Miles, Yaya Keita, Jacob Fredson-Cole, and Luke Northweather. Star freshman Jeremiah Fears has declared for the NBA Draft. The departure of assistant coach Armon Gates to Minnesota further adds to the sense of transition.

In the midst of this upheaval, Davis represents both stability and upside. He is a proven producer in a Power Six conference. He has experience, having started 64 games over the past two seasons. And perhaps most importantly, he has the kind of offensive skill set—slashing ability, free-throw generation, and developing perimeter shooting—that can make him a focal point in Oklahoma’s offense from Day 1.

He’s not a finished product. His 69 turnovers against 59 assists last season suggest that decision-making and ball security are still works in progress. His three-point shooting, while improved, is still only at 30.2%. But that’s part of what makes this move so intriguing. Davis is trending in the right direction, and if he takes another leap under Moser’s tutelage, he could not only boost Oklahoma’s ceiling but also position himself for a real shot at the 2026 NBA Draft.

Davis isn’t the only reason for renewed optimism in Norman. The Sooners are aggressively pursuing additional talent in the portal. They’ve hosted TCU transfer guard Frankie Collins, and they’re targeting Milwaukee’s Jamichael Stillwell, one of the best rebounders available. Redshirt freshman Kuol Atak is set to make his debut, and injured transfers Jadon Jones and Jeff Nwankwo are returning to the rotation after missing last season. Add in the 2025 recruiting class—which includes promising names like Kai Rogers, Alec Blair, and Andreas Holst—and the Sooners are clearly not standing still.

But what really elevates the trajectory of this program is the involvement of one of its most iconic alumni: Trae Young.

The current Atlanta Hawks guard made headlines last week by donating $1 million to Oklahoma basketball and accepting a new role as the program’s assistant general manager. While the title is ceremonial in many ways, the impact is tangible. Young brings credibility, visibility, and a deep love for the university. He’ll be assisting in evaluating high school and portal prospects, as well as helping negotiate NIL deals. His presence sends a loud and clear message to recruits: Oklahoma is serious about building a winner.

Head coach Porter Moser has emphasized the importance of “winning the portal” in April and May. With Davis in the fold and more targets lining up for visits, the Sooners are off to a strong start. Moser himself has acknowledged the uphill battle of building in the SEC but remains confident in the potential.

“There were a lot of people that counted us out,” Moser said in a recent interview. “We fought through hard. We’re going to continue to fight through that, and there’s just such opportunity, such a high vision of what we can do, being in this SEC, and we’re looking forward to it.”

There’s still work to be done. The Sooners currently have nine scholarship players, with six spots left to fill. The SEC is a gauntlet, and teams like Alabama, Kentucky, Auburn, and Tennessee aren’t going anywhere. But this offseason feels different for Oklahoma. It feels like a turning point.

Tae Davis’ commitment is more than just a roster move—it’s a belief in the program’s future. It’s a bet on Moser, on Trae Young’s investment, and on the idea that Oklahoma can become more than a middle-tier SEC team. For a program that’s long been searching for an identity in its post-Kruger era, Davis could be the bridge to a brighter, more competitive future.

If he stays in college basketball, the Sooners won’t just be better next season—they’ll be relevant. And in a league like the SEC, that’s the first and hardest step toward becoming something special.

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