A New Chapter for the Bears
Missouri State head coach Cuonzo Martin revealed that Kuol Kuol, a 6‑foot‑10 freshman from Savannah, Georgia, will be part of the Bears roster for the 2026‑27 season. Martin highlighted the player's size, skill set and energetic presence as assets that could strengthen the team's interior game.
Kuol Kuol arrives after a standout prep career at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, where he helped the team finish 7‑7 in the EYBL Scholastic League while allowing just 63.4 points per game. Over 14 appearances last season he posted averages of 7.9 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, numbers that belied the impact he had on the court.
Before Oak Hill, Kuol starred at Calvary Day School in Savannah, earning Region 3‑3A co‑player of the year honors as a junior and being selected to the 3A all‑state private school first‑team. His sophomore season saw him lead his squad to a playoff upset of top‑seeded Peach County, contributing 14 points and 11 rebounds under coach Sceptor Brownlee.
The South Sudanese native, who was previously known as Kuol Deng, is rated as a three‑star recruit by Rivals and is positioned No. 208 nationally in the 2026 class, No. 24 among centers and No. 12 in Georgia. Martin emphasized that Kuol's commitment reflects both his personal ambition and the program's growing appeal.
With a blend of size, shooting touch and defensive versatility, Kuol is expected to compete for playing time early in his freshman year. The Bears hope his work ethic and energy will translate into added depth and competitiveness as they aim to climb the Missouri Valley Conference standings.