4-star C Papa Kante requests release from NLI with Michigan

Papa Kante, a four-star center in the senior class, has requested a release from his National Letter of Intent with Michigan, he tells On3.

The 6-foot-10, 225-pound prospect of South Kent (Conn.) School committed to the Wolverines in October beating out the likes of Maryland, Memphis, Pittsburgh, and Rutgers. He signed with Michigan in November, joining four-star combo guard George Washington III (No. 111). Juwan Howard has also landed a trio of players out of the transfer portal this offseason — North Carolina’s Caleb Love, Alabama’s Nimari Burnett, and Seton Hall’s Tray Jackson.

Kante provided the following statement to On3:

“First and foremost I want to thank Allah (God) for blessing me every day and making me believe that everything happens for a reason. After a lot of thought and conversations with my family, I have decided to request a release from my NLI to University of Michigan. Thank you to the coaching staff and Michigan fans for their interest in me. Thank you to all my supporters, friends and family for continuing to show love.”

Kante ranks as the No. 73 overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

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.