'23 Papa Kante says Michigan is recruiting hard; talks visits

South Kent (CT) Academy’s Papa Kante continues to pick up steam in the recruiting world. The 6-foot-10 junior takes pride in his motor and ability to defend on the block.

“I play hard all the time, and like playing defense,” Kante told On3. “I can score 20 points per game, but I impact the game with my defense, guarding two or three positions in some games. I’m finishing better at the rim this season, and I’ve been shooting it well. I have been watching a lot of Joel Embiid and his footwork, how he scores the ball.”

College coaches have taken notice of the post who played this summer with the Expressions program on Nike’s 16u circuit. Papa Kante talked exclusively with On3 about his recruitment and visits.

“I have taken visits to Providence and Rutgers,” Kante said. “I visited UConn for a few games and am looking forward to going back there. All of these were unofficial.”

Kante talks recruiting

Providence: “They are great. I love the coaching staff; coach (Ed) Cooley is a great coach who cares about the players. I love the campus, it is not big, but everything is there. I have some AAU teammates, Gavin (Griffiths) and Taylor (Bol Bowen), who visit there. We have gone together to watch some games.”

Rutgers: “They are good people, Coach (Steve) Piekell and Coach TJ (Thompson), he has been texting me, keeping up with me. Coach Piekell is a great guy, me and my host mom talked with him for like an hour when we went to visit there. We talked about basketball life, life after basketball, and being a good person. It was good.”

UConn: “I went to a few games, it was crazy, I had fun. I know some of the guys who committed there too. Alex Karaban is my guy, I facetime him every week. I know Adama (Sanogo) has been texting me. They have not offered yet, but they are talking to me regularly.”

“I am going to start going on official visits during the spring, after my high school season. I don’t know right now who is going to get a visit, but I will tell you who is recruiting me the hardest right now.”

Michigan: “Coach (Juwan) Howard texts me after every game I play; good game, good win. He has come to watch me play two times, and I have been watching them play a lot this season. They are probably recruiting me the hardest right now. He loves my playing style how hard I play. He wants me to look at Moussa Diababte and Hunter Dickinson and how they play them. They are looking at me as a four and a five. He lets his freshman play and make mistakes. They also play through their bigs and throw the ball inside. He was also a four and a five, played in the NBA.”

“Michigan State, Marquette, and UConn are the three schools I hear from the most who haven’t offered yet.”

Kante’s take

“I will be looking for the school who shows me the most love,” Kante said. “Where I can go and develop my game for the next level. That is the dream, the next level, so I want to go to a place that will develop me. I would like to commit after Peach Jam, before my senior season.”

On3’s take

Papa Kante is very strong, and he plays extremely hard. You immediately notice his understanding of angles and footwork on the defensive end. He is strong and uses great leverage. He is a good rebounder in his area has strong hands once he gets ahold of the ball. The lateral movement may come into question on switching. Kante has good hands when the ball is around and above his chest area. He can knock down a pick and pop jump shot. Kante is an average to solid athlete and can struggle to finish at the rim, but he does not shy away from contact. He is a high floor type player. You know what you will get from him.