'An Absolute Monster': Return of Kentucky Signee Somto Cyril Looms Large at OTE

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Somto Cyril hasn’t played much this season. The 2024 four-star Kentucky commit is working his way back to the court and his return looms large for opposing coaches.

Cyril has only played in two games during the 2023-24 season due to a left-hand injury; however, in those two games, he averaged a league-leading 16.5 rebounds and 5.0 blocks. Cyril also averaged 11.5 points per game.

Now, as he prepares for a return, coaches all across the Overtime Elite program are anxious to witness his skills again. KSR+ talked to Cyril and several others at OTE to get a glimpse into what his return could look like.

“Somto [Cyril] is just an absolute monster,” said John Ortega, who is the head coach of the OTE-branded Diamond Doves, also known as Phhoenix Prep (AZ). “There’s no question in my mind that he’s the best big player in the country.”

Cyril is currently ranked by the On3 Industry Ranking as the No. 51 overall prospect in the class of 2024. ESPN has Cyril ranked at No. 55 overall.

“This is my 25th year of coaching basketball; I’ve never seen a big as good as Somto at this age in high school,” Ortega said. “To rank him No. 55 or something like that, I’d like to see those other 54 players try and stop that kid.”

In His Own Words

Somto Cyril committed to Kentucky back in June. Although he was eligible to join the team in 2023, Cyril elected to remain in the class of 2024, spending an additional year at Overtime Elite.

An additional year of preparing for Kentucky has given Big Blue Nation more time to learn about Cyril. He often gets approached by fans wherever he goes.

“I feel welcomed over there because people are always talking about it and asking me questions,” he said. “When people see me on the road, they tell me they’re excited about me going over there. I feel like I’m part of the family already.”

Somto Cyril has known he’s wanted to play at Kentucky for as long as he’s been playing basketball. It was the first college basketball team he ever watched and his love for UK remained.

“It clicked,” he said. “I had the connection from the very start.”

He was the first player to commit to Kentucky in the 2024 class. Now, the Cats have the nation’s No. 2-ranked recruiting class with four more commits.

“I played against some of them,” Cyril said. We communicate. I feel like we have a really good team coming together.”

As for his greatest strengths on the floor, Cyril does whatever to help his team win. In addition to his own skills, he improves the games of those around him.

“I help my teammates get better,” he said. “I bring my team together and just win. That’s my greatest strength.”

Somto Cyril is a Matchup Problem

At 6-foot-10, 240 pounds, there isn’t any coach in the nation that wants to face Somto Cyril. Ask any coach at Overtime Elite to describe his game and you’re guaranteed to hear the words, “he’s a grown man.”

“He’s a shot-blocking machine,” Our Saviour Lutheran (Bronx, NY) coach Pete Wehye said. “His mechanics, the way he blocks and controls the paint, and his hands are second to none. I think Kentucky got a real gem, without a doubt.”

Game planning against Cyril isn’t very fun if you’re an opposing coach. Sometimes you just have to hope and pray.

“His understanding and strength is ridiculous. When we play him, we focus on him,” Wehye said. “We want to try and get two guys to box him out and when we shade his way, we want to go up and drop off. We don’t want to try and score over the monster.”

Tim Fanning is the head coach of the Cold Hearts, one of three Atlanta-based Overtime Elite teams. In his third year at Overtime Elite, Fanning has gotten to see Cyril throughout his time in Atlanta.

“Somto is just such a monster on defense,” Fanning said. “He’s just so unique with his size and athleticism. One thing that I don’t think is given enough attention or credit is his motor. He has a fantastic motor. He has a defensive mindset and I think that he’s going to be fun to watch after he leaves OTE.” 

Opposing players have similar problems facing Cyril. Even a guard like UNC commit Ian Jackson feels his presence.

“Anytime you come off the pick-and-roll, he’s there blocking shots and protecting the rim,” Jackson said. “He’s a menace on defense.”

Nearing a Return to Action

Somto Cyril was frustrated following RWE’s 85-72 loss to the City Reapers on Monday, January 15. It was clear that sitting on the sidelines was taking its toll on the four-star center.

“I can’t even play, man,” Cyril said just as the interview began.

Although Cyril didn’t touch on his return plans during the interview, it is clear that he’s making progress. Shortly following our conversation, Cyril was on the practice court getting up shots. Despite having a brace on, Cyril was still dribbling on that left hand, showing some progress. 

“We’re just trying to figure out how quickly to get him back. We’re patient with that,” RWE head coach Corey Frazier said. “[The timetable] is going to be updated soon.”

As one of the most popular players in the Overtime Elite program, seeing Cyril back in an RWE uniform will make a lot of fans happy. Seeing him in a Kentucky uniform for the first time later this year will make Big Blue Nation even more excited.

“It will be great to see for the first time,” Cyril said.