Akoldah Gak Bio
Akoldah Gak (born 12 July 2002) is an Australian professional basketball player who most recently played for the Capital City Go-Go of the NBA G League. Standing 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) and listed at 225 lb (102 kg), Gak plays the power forward and center positions. Born in Sydney to parents who fled South Sudan, he has built a career that spans the National Basketball League (NBL) in Australia, regional Australian competitions, the NBA G League, and a brief appearance in the NBA Summer League.
Early Life and Background
Akoldah Gak was born in Sydney, New South Wales, to a family of South Sudanese heritage. His parents had fled South Sudan before resettling in Australia, giving him an early upbringing shaped by a strong family story of migration. Gak grew up in western Sydney and attended St Dominic’s College, where he developed his basketball skills alongside his secondary education.
During his junior years, Gak played representative basketball for Penrith, gaining exposure in New South Wales youth circuits. In 2018, he received a scholarship to attend Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey, joining a basketball pipeline that had been established by former professional player and Blair alumnus Luol Deng. His time at Blair placed him in a well-known American pre-college basketball environment and helped prepare him for the professional ranks.
Path to Basketball
Gak’s development in Sydney gave him a clear pathway toward high-level basketball. His performances for Penrith and at St Dominic’s College earned him the Blair Academy scholarship in the United States, a key step that connected him to the international basketball community. The Blair program, supported by the network of Luol Deng, has long served as a springboard for African and African-diaspora players seeking professional opportunities.
Returning to Australia, Gak became a development player in a top-tier domestic league and gradually earned his way into a contracted role. His combination of size, mobility, and finishing around the rim made him a notable prospect within Australian basketball circles.
Akoldah Gak Career
Early Career (2020–2023)
On 12 October 2020, Akoldah Gak signed a three-year deal with the Illawarra Hawks of the National Basketball League. He was rostered as a development player during the 2020–21 NBL season before becoming a contracted player for the remainder of his time with the club. Illawarra head coach Brian Goorjian described the assignment of an NBA-level prospect to his team as a real compliment, highlighting Gak’s ceiling within Australian basketball.
During the 2022 off-season, Gak represented the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Summer League and made a one-game appearance for the Illawarra Hawks in the NBL1 East. The following off-season, he played for the Southern Districts Spartans in the NBL1 North, continuing to build experience in Australia’s second-tier competitions.
Illawarra Hawks Era (2020–2023)
Akoldah Gak spent the first three professional seasons of his career with the Illawarra Hawks. Initially a development player, he transitioned into a contracted role, providing frontcourt depth for the Sydney-based club. While his playing time was limited during his Hawks tenure, the experience allowed him to train and compete alongside established NBL professionals.
The decision to remain in Australia during the early stages of his career was tied to family priorities during the global uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hawks environment offered Gak a structured setting to refine his skills before pursuing opportunities abroad.
Cairns Taipans Era (2023–2025)
On 10 April 2023, Akoldah Gak signed a two-year deal with the Cairns Taipans of the NBL, marking his next major professional chapter. The move gave him a larger role within a different franchise and an opportunity to expand his game in a new setting. He continued to develop his inside presence and rebounding responsibilities as a power forward and center for the Taipans.
Mexico City Capitanes Era (2025)
On 2 March 2025, Akoldah Gak signed with the Mexico City Capitanes of the NBA G League, a major step toward North American professional basketball. Shortly after, he joined the Washington Wizards for the 2025 NBA Summer League and was subsequently invited to the team’s training camp. Following the camp, he was assigned to the Wizards’ G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go.
Capital City Go-Go Era (2025–2026)
Akoldah Gak joined the Capital City Go-Go as a member of the Washington Wizards’ developmental system. The move represented the continuation of his path through the NBA G League after his international signing with the Mexico City Capitanes. His time with the Go-Go allowed him to compete in a high-level developmental league while remaining within the Wizards’ organizational structure.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the milestones of Akoldah Gak’s career is his selection for the Australia men’s national under-19 basketball team at the 2021 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup. In 2022, he represented the Australian Boomers in three FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers, signaling his arrival on the senior international stage. He was also named the NBL1 Central U23 Player of the Year in 2024 after joining the West Adelaide Bearcats of the NBL1 Central.
Akoldah Gak Career Wins
Akoldah Gak’s career has been defined more by development and opportunity than by championship-level victories. His most notable individual recognition came in 2024, when he was named the NBL1 Central U23 Player of the Year following a season with the West Adelaide Bearcats.
Other Wins & Performances
Gak’s standout individual performances include his selection to the Australian under-19 national team and his senior Boomers appearances in 2022. His professional trajectory has been marked by steady progression through multiple teams, including the Illawarra Hawks, Cairns Taipans, West Adelaide Bearcats, Mexico City Capitanes, and Capital City Go-Go.
Akoldah Gak Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Akoldah Gak comes from a South Sudanese family that resettled in Australia after his parents fled the conflict in their home country. His basketball roots run deep within the family: two of his older brothers, Gorjok and Deng, played college basketball in the United States. Gorjok played for the California Baptist Lancers, while Deng played for the Miami Hurricanes and was born in Cairo, Egypt.
Personal Life
Beyond his family ties, Gak has kept much of his personal life private. His professional journey has been closely linked to family decisions, including the choice to begin his career in Australia during a period of global uncertainty. The support of his family has remained a central part of his basketball story.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Akoldah Gak as he moved into North American basketball. After being ruled out for a month with a knee injury in December 2024, he returned to action and signed with the Mexico City Capitanes of the NBA G League in March 2025. The opportunity placed him within one of the most prominent developmental leagues in the world.
Following his signing, Gak joined the Washington Wizards for the 2025 NBA Summer League and was invited to the team’s training camp. His performances led to an assignment with the Capital City Go-Go, the Wizards’ G League affiliate, providing a clear pathway within an NBA organization. The season represented a significant step in his pursuit of a long-term professional career.
Looking ahead, Gak’s development within the Wizards’ system shapes his outlook for 2025 and beyond. His combination of size, mobility, and international experience positions him as a prospect to watch in the G League and a candidate for future senior national team selections.