Somto Cyril on signing with Kentucky: "It's a feeling I can't really explain."

Somto Cyril put pen to paper to open the early signing period, making his commitment to Kentucky official. The four-star center out of Nigeria originally chose the Wildcats over the likes of Providence, Indiana and Cincinnati, among others. Now, he’s home and he’s got the paperwork to prove it.

It was a moment the 6-foot-10, 240-pound prospect could hardly put into words, getting choked up during his signing ceremony on Wednesday at Overtime Elite.

Kentucky was the first school he fell in love with, watching clips on YouTube while growing up back home in Nigeria. Now, he gets to live out his dream of playing for John Calipari in Lexington as a Wildcat.

“To be here today, about to be a part of one of the biggest programs in the country, it feels so surreal,” Cyril said at the signing ceremony. “Because I know being back home, I used to watch YouTube – basketball stuff on YouTube. This school right here was the first I ever watched when I started playing basketball. And now I’m about to become one of their players.

“It’s a feeling I can’t really explain. I’m just grateful for this moment. I know I’m up for this, it wasn’t given to me for free. I earned it. It’s close to home.”

Take a look at Cyril’s heartfelt speech below:

Cyril is considered a consensus four-star recruit in the class of 2024, listed at No. 51 overall and No. 7 among centers in the On3 Industry Ranking. He joins five-star guard Boogie Fland in Kentucky’s signing class during the early period.

The newest Wildcat is off to a strong start playing for Overtime Elite’s RWE during his senior campaign, averaging 11.6 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 70.5 percent from the field through six games. That comes after being named OTE Defensive Player of the Year last season, averaging 8.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per contest.

What can fans expect when he arrives in Lexington next summer?

“When I touch down in Kentucky, I want them to expect a dog. I want them to know I’m going to help them win, win a championship,” Cyril told KSR. “I’m going to bring the energy, do whatever I can to help make the team better. They’re getting a dog and a winner.”

Music to Kentucky fans’ ears.

Welcome to the family, Somto Cyril.