4-star C Papa Kante, former Michigan signee, commits to Pitt
Papa Kante, a four-star center in the class of 2023, has committed to the University of Pittsburgh, led by head coach Jeff Capel.
The 6-foot-10, 225-pound senior prospect of South Kent (Conn.) School was originally signed with Michigan, but requested his release from the Wolverines in April. He committed to Michigan in October, beating out of the likes of Maryland, Memphis, Rutgers, and Pitt. This time around, Kante chose the Panthers over Alabama and Georgia Tech.
Kante becomes the sixth player to pledge to Pitt in the 2023 recruiting cycle. From the high school ranks, he joins four-star guard Jaland Lowe (No. 88), four-star guard Carlton Carrington (No. 96), and three-star wing Marlon Barnes Jr. (No. 282). Jeff Capel has also landed a pair of transfer out of the portal —Zack Austin from High Point and Ishmael Leggett from Rhode Island.
Kante ranks as the No. 82 overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the nation’s No. 11 center and the No. 3 player in the state of Connecticut.
Papa Kante Scouting Summary
“Papa Kante is a strong post presence. He works hard on the block and has made himself into a good post defender. Kante has good length and is a strong area rebounder. Kante has confidence going over his left shoulder and would like to see him develop counters on the block. He can stretch the floor in pick and pop situations, but needs to continue ironing out the jumper mechanics – there is upside here. Kante has the reputation of a worker.” – On3’s Jamie Shaw
About Kante
Papa Kante is a native of Senegal who played his high school basketball for South Kent School in Connecticut. Kante moved to the United States in 2019 to pursue basketball. In the summer of 2022, he began garnering more attention during the AAU season, playing on the Nike EYBL Circuit for Expressions Elite, where he enjoyed a breakout tournament at Peach Jam.