Bobi Klintman: One of top available 2022's goes in-depth about recruitment

Bobi Klintman is the No. 82 ranked player in the updated On3 2022 rankings. The 6-foot-9 forward came to Bel Aire (KS) Sunrise Christian from Sweden to play and develop for his senior season.

“I am pretty versatile. I shoot the three pretty well, and my playmaking is an advantage as well,” Klintman told On3 after a recent win in the Dr. Pepper Classic. “The game is much faster here in America, and I have been adjusting to that. I play much faster now and tougher. It was always my dream to play against the best players, and America has the best. I thought I needed to play against new competition to reach new heights and help me get to the next level.”

Klintman committed to Maryland in October only to de-commit after Mark Turgeon stepped down. Bobi Klintman spoke exclusively with On3 about that decision and where his recruitment is currently.

“The decision to de-commit from Maryland was basically because Coach (Mark) Turgeon is no longer there,” Klintman said. “I am not sure if Coach (Danny) Manning is keeping his job. There was too much up and down there, and my mom and I decided to re-open my recruitment.

“I have two visits left to take, and I am not sure yet who will get those,” Klintman said. “I took official visits to Maryland, Loyola-Chicago, and Rutgers; they are still in the mix for me. I hear a lot from Arizona State, Central Florida, and VCU right now.”

Klintman talks recruitment

Arizona State: “They are telling me they like my play style. They play with a lot of freedom in a free-flowing offense, and I like that. I think I would fit well within their system. They play a lot of offense, and I think Coach (Bob) Hurley develops players.”

VCU: “They are a new school. I just started talking to them. They have Bones Hyland in the NBA, and I admire him; I think he is a really good player. They have a great culture there and a winning program. I talk to the coaches there like every day.”

Central Florida: “I have been talking to coach Mamadou (N’Diaye). They play freely there too. I have heard they have a great culture there as well.”

Rutgers: “Ron Harper, Jr. is leaving after this year, it is a big spot to fill, and they are recruiting someone to fill that spot. I have one of my friends there from Sweden, Oskar Palmquist, and he is always telling me how great it is. When I went there, I was able to see the campus and see how hard they worked in practice and off the court.”

Loyola- Chicago: “Coach Drew (Valentine) is a really good coach, and he has been recruiting me for a while. He is the new head coach at Loyola-Chicago. They have been winning games, and they have a winning culture. They are not a high-major school, so if I went there, and I earned the minutes, I think I could do great things and play a lot there.”

Klintman’s take

“Giannis is my role model,” Klintman said. “I watch a lot of him. I feel like we have a similar body and frame when he first came to the NBA. There is a lot of inspiration in his story.

“I will probably look to take my last two visits in March when we don’t have any games scheduled. After I take the visits, I will sit down with my mom and brother and see where I fit the most and feel the most comfortable. I want to play at a place that plays offense, plays freely. The development will be a big part as well. I want to go to a place where I will get better because I want to play at the next level; that is the goal.”

On3’s take

Bobi Klintman’s frame immediately pops from the second he steps on the floor. He has legit height and long arms; he moves in a way that may remind some of Keegan Murray at the same stage. Klintman is skilled, and he can knock down the three-point shot off the catch and push the break off the rebound. He is a fluid athlete and is learning how to switch up a lineup and defend on the block. Klintman, a native of Sweden, will need to continue getting used to the game’s speed and getting stronger. But there are many natural tools to work with and develop. You have to be intrigued by the upside. Klintman’s brother Ibbe is a forward at Central Arkansas.