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OU men's basketball: Breaking down the Sooners' roster for the 2023-24 season

NORMAN — The OU men's basketball team tips off its season with a home game against Central Michigan at 7 p.m. Monday.

The Sooners went 15-17 (5-13 Big 12) last season, and they boast nine newcomers. Here's a roster breakdown for OU.

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OU guard Otega Oweh (3) dunks the ball beside Texas Tech forward Kevin Obanor (0) during a game on Feb. 21 at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman.
OU guard Otega Oweh (3) dunks the ball beside Texas Tech forward Kevin Obanor (0) during a game on Feb. 21 at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman.

Jacolb Cole

6-7, 211, Freshman, Forward

Rated as highly as a four-star prospect by ESPN, Cole committed to OU on June 11, 2022. He's a lengthy wing player with a strong motor and a good touch around the rim.

Kaden Cooper

6-5, 190, Freshman, Guard

Cooper is another four-star freshman who committed to OU on Nov. 12. He's a good athlete who thrives in transition, and he prides himself on his defense.

Le'Tre Darthard

6-4, 190, Senior, Guard

Darthard is a Utah Valley transfer who averaged career-highs of 13.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists last season. The two-way guard earned a spot on both the All-WAC first team and the conference's all-defensive team, and he should provide some leadership for a young OU backcourt.

Sam Godwin

6-10, 235, Senior, Forward

After walking onto the team as a Wofford transfer last season, Godwin emerged as a key contributor and ultimately earned a scholarship. The former Southmoore standout averaged 4.9 points and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting 66% from the floor.

John Hugley IV

6-10, 275, Redshirt junior, Forward/Center

The Pittsburgh transfer should give OU a much-needed presence down low with his physicality. He averaged 14.8 points two seasons ago before missing most of last season to focus on mental health and injury rehabilitation (knee).

Yaya Keita

6-9, 240, Redshirt sophomore, Forward

After transferring from Missouri prior to last season, Keita held a modest role with OU. He appeared in two games for a total of three minutes, but he could see the floor a bit more this time around following the loss of Tanner Groves and Jalen Hill.

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Maks Klanjscek

6-5, 210, Senior, Guard

A four-time transfer, Klanjscek spent last season at Houston Christian. He averaged 15 points on 35.2% shooting from deep, and he'll look to provided some perimeter scoring for the Sooners.

Reid Lovelace

5-11, 135, Sophomore, Guard

The former Crossings Christian standout joined OU as a walk-on guard on June 15. Lovelace averaged 16.1 points and 4.2 assists throughout his high school career and led the Knights to a 2021 Class 3A state title.

Javian McCollum

6-2, 160, Junior, Guard

McCollum posted career-highs of 15.9 points and 3.9 assists at Siena last season. He's an athletic guard who can score inside and out, and he'll form an explosive backcourt duo with Milos Uzan.

Jalon Moore

6-7, 222, Junior, Forward

A Georgia Tech transfer, Moore averaged career-highs of 7.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game last season. He's an athletic forward and a versatile defender, making him an ideal candidate to replace Hill in the starting lineup.

Jake Moser

6-3, 193, Junior, Guard

The son of head coach Porter Moser, Jake Moser joined the team in 2021 as a walk-on freshman. He has scored five career points in 14 appearances with the Sooners.

Luke Northweather

6-11, 245, Redshirt freshman, Forward/Center

The former three-star prospect redshirted as a freshman last season, but he's expected to have a considerable role this time around. Northweather is arguably OU's best 3-point shooter, and he has the potential to crack the starting lineup as a power forward if the team wants to go big.

Otega Oweh

6-5, 215, Sophomore, Guard

Oweh eventually cracked the starting lineup as a freshman last season thanks in large part to his defensive prowess. On offense, he averaged a modest 4.8 points on 44.3% shooting from the floor and 25% shooting from deep.

Rivaldo Soares

6-6, 215, Senior, Guard

Soares averaged career-highs of 7.2 points and 3.6 rebounds at Oregon last season. He's a playmaker who finishes well around the rim, and he'll provide some much-needed wing depth for OU.

Milos Uzan

6-4, 193, Sophomore, Guard

Despite only being a sophomore, Uzan is the undisputed leader for OU. He's a well-rounded guard who averaged 7.6 points and three assists last season, and he'll be counted on to produce even more this time around.

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU men's basketball: Breaking down Oklahoma Sooners' 2023-24 roster