In a move that has sent shockwaves through the college basketball world, the No. 1 national high school player in the country has officially committed to the University of Oklahoma, choosing the Sooners over other powerhouse programs including South Carolina, Louisville, and Tennessee. With this commitment, Oklahoma head coach Porter Moser has secured what is arguably the most significant recruiting victory of his tenure and perhaps in the modern history of Sooner basketball.
The player in question, five-star sensation Malik Rasul, a 6-foot-9 forward out of Montverde Academy in Florida, has long been regarded as the crown jewel of the 2025 recruiting class. Dominant on both ends of the court, Rasul possesses the rare combination of size, skill, athleticism, and IQ that has drawn comparisons to NBA greats like Kevin Garnett and Chris Bosh. While programs across the country had been vying for his commitment for years, few expected the Oklahoma Sooners to win the sweepstakes—until now.
Rasul’s commitment was announced live during a nationally televised segment on ESPN, where he calmly reached beneath the table, pulled out a crimson Oklahoma cap, and smiled as he made his decision known to the world. Moments later, the announcement exploded on social media, with current and former Sooners, national analysts, and fans celebrating what many are calling a program-defining moment.
“This wasn’t an easy decision,” Rasul said during the broadcast. “Each school showed me a lot of love. I had great relationships with the coaches, and every visit felt special in its own way. But in the end, I had to go where my heart told me I belonged—and that’s Oklahoma.”
For Oklahoma fans, that message was music to their ears. Rasul’s decision is more than a headline—it’s a statement that the Sooners are officially a destination for elite basketball talent. After several years of incremental improvement under Moser, this commitment signals the arrival of a new era in Norman, one built around championship expectations and national relevance.
The magnitude of the recruiting win cannot be overstated. South Carolina, led by Lamont Paris, had made Rasul a top priority, selling him on the chance to become the face of a rising SEC contender. Louisville, under new head coach Pat Kelsey, had turned heads with a renewed energy and vision, making Rasul their No. 1 target. Tennessee’s Rick Barnes, a proven developer of NBA talent, had pitched Rasul on being the final piece in a championship puzzle that already included multiple top-50 players.
Yet despite the heavyweight competition, it was Oklahoma that won out—and they did so by building a relationship that ran deeper than basketball. Rasul’s parents, both of whom accompanied him on official visits, spoke glowingly of the culture in Norman, highlighting the genuine care shown by the coaching staff and the academic support available to student-athletes.
“From the first time we visited Oklahoma, it just felt different,” said his mother, Latoya Rasul. “It wasn’t just about what Malik could do for them—it was about what they could do for Malik as a young man, a student, and a future professional.”
Behind the scenes, Oklahoma’s recruiting staff worked tirelessly to build trust and rapport with Rasul and his inner circle. Assistant coach Brock Morris, known for his ability to connect with top-tier recruits, played a major role in keeping Oklahoma consistently in the mix, even when other programs appeared to have more momentum. Head coach Porter Moser, meanwhile, took a hands-on approach, personally attending several of Rasul’s games and speaking regularly with him about his role, development path, and long-term goals.
“Coach Moser really laid it out for me,” Rasul said. “He didn’t sugarcoat anything. He told me what he expects, how hard I’ll need to work, and how they’re going to push me every day to become the best version of myself. That honesty meant a lot.”
On the court, Rasul brings immediate star power to Oklahoma’s roster. A dynamic playmaker with a versatile offensive game, he can score at all three levels, create off the dribble, and anchor a defense with his shot-blocking and rebounding. His presence will not only raise the Sooners’ ceiling as a team but also make Oklahoma a far more attractive destination for other elite players in future classes.
Already, Rasul’s commitment is having a ripple effect across the recruiting landscape. Several top-25 prospects who had previously listed Oklahoma as a secondary option are now giving the Sooners a second look. Analysts believe that Rasul’s decision could create a domino effect, potentially leading to a top-5 recruiting class for Oklahoma in 2025.
“This is the type of commitment that changes everything,” said national recruiting analyst Paul Biancardi. “When the No. 1 player in the country chooses a school like Oklahoma, it sends a message that this program is serious about winning, developing talent, and competing at the highest level.”
For Coach Moser, the commitment is validation of the long-term vision he laid out when he took over the program in 2021. Known for his fiery sideline demeanor and deep basketball acumen, Moser has steadily built a foundation based on toughness, defense, and player development. Yet until now, the one thing missing from his resume was a marquee recruit. With Rasul now committed, that void has been filled—and then some.
“This is a transformational moment for us,” Moser said shortly after the announcement. “Malik is a special player, but more importantly, he’s a special person. He’s humble, hardworking, and he cares about being part of something bigger than himself. We’re beyond excited to welcome him to the Sooner family.”
The timing of the commitment couldn’t be better. With the Big 12 undergoing significant change in the wake of conference realignment and the expansion of the NCAA Tournament, the opportunity is there for programs like Oklahoma to seize new ground. Rasul gives the Sooners a legitimate shot at making a deep tournament run in the near future—and potentially even contending for a national title.
Fans are already dreaming big. Social media erupted with graphics, highlight videos, and celebratory memes, while Oklahoma’s official basketball account welcomed Rasul with a tweet that simply read, “The future has arrived.” By the end of the day, the tweet had garnered over 2 million views and nearly 100,000 likes, underscoring the buzz surrounding the announcement.
Yet for all the excitement, those close to Rasul know that his focus remains on the work ahead. Throughout his high school career, he’s been known for his relentless work ethic and leadership qualities, often arriving at the gym hours before practice and staying late to fine-tune his game. Those traits, more than his highlight-reel dunks or silky jump shot, are what make him such a special prospect.
“Nothing has ever been handed to me,” Rasul said. “Every step of the way, I’ve had to grind for what I have. This commitment is just the beginning. Now it’s about showing up, working hard, and proving that I’m worth the hype.”
That mindset will serve him well at Oklahoma, where expectations are now sky-high. With Rasul in the fold, the Sooners are no longer flying under the radar. They are a team with a target on their back, a team that will enter next season with national media attention, packed arenas, and a fanbase hungry for success.
