Georgia adds elite big man, former Kentucky commit Somto Cyril to Class of 2024

Georgia Basketball has a second commitment in the Class of 2024, and its another top-50 player in the country. Four-star center Somto Cyril, originally committed to Kentucky, announced his pledge to UGA while also entering the 2024 NBA Draft on Monday.

Ranked the No. 46 overall player per the On3 Industry Ranking (No. 42 according to On3’s in-house rankings), the 6-foot-10, 240-pound product of Overtime Elite took a visit to Athens a few weeks ago and chose the Bulldogs over fellow finalists Arkansas, Georgia Tech and Kentucky. If he makes it to campus in Athens, he’ll join five-star plus+ forward Asa Newell as a member of UGA’s Class of 2024.

“These past few weeks have been a whirlwind, and I can now say that it’s over. It is with great pleasure to let you know that I’m committed to the G!” Cyril shared in a message on social media. “On my visit to Athens, Coach White and his staff were very detailed in their approach, and it was a great feeling being in a place that had such a family environment.”

“In full transparency, I will also be putting my name in the 2024 NBA Draft while maintaining my college eligibility,” Cyril added. “I will take this time to get much-needed feedback from NBA teams during the month of May. This will allow not only myself and my family to have the information, but it will also provide my coaching staff with information about me as well going into the 2024-25 season. I am exciting about this opportunity and can’t wait to get to work representing the University of Georgia!”

Background

Cyril goes by the nickname “Baby Shaq.” He’s got an outgoing personality that’s made him famous online. He’s also been known to shatter a few backboards like the NBA great.

Cyril is originally from Enugu, Nigeria and came to the United States in 2021. He played high school basketball at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga before transferring to the Overtime Elite League (OTE) for the 2022-23 season, forgoing a scholarship in order to maintain his collegiate eligibility. Then, in June of 2023, he committed to Kentucky over Providence, Cincinnati, Indiana and others – signing with the Wildcats during the early period in November.

During his first season at OTE, Cyril suited up for the Cold Hearts alongside projected NBA lottery pick Rob Dillingham. In 20.3 minutes per game, the big man averaged 8.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game shooting 66.2% from the field, albeit primarily in the paint. He earned OTE Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Somto Cyril is a premier rim protector, one of the best in the country, regardless of class. He has a great frame, strong shoulders, and very long arms. He battles around the basket, a good rebounder both in and out of his area. Cyril is still raw offensively; his hands are solid with balls thrown above his chest. He does not provide much offense outside of ten feet; he is a rim runner, dunker spot type—difference-maker on the defensive end, and violently tries to dunk everything around the rim.

Jamie Shaw – On3

This past season, playing for Real Wild Energy (RWE), Cyril upped his average to 9.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game in just 20.2 minutes. Once again, he had more than 3.0 blocks per game (3.3). He opened the season with a 17-point, 17-rebound performance against the Cold Hearts on his way to helping RWE to a OTE Finals appearance.

“I’m gonna tell you right now, in all my years of doing high school basketball — I’ve coached a lot of pros – hell, I had Deandre Ayton, and he was a grown man. A man amongst boys, right? Somto, I have never seen anything like him,” Nick Weaver, a head coach at OTE, told Kentucky Sports Radio before Cyril committed to the Cats. “I have never seen anybody in high school basketball or OTE that we played in, never seen anybody dominate a game like him physically. He was the most physical presence I have ever seen at the high school level.”

“He was hard to guard, impossible, physical, tough. Heck, we were chirping with him after one of the games in the hallway. He’s a competitor,” Weaver continued. “This guy, I’ve never seen anything like it. You’ve just got to watch with your own eyes. He is just physically gifted but he moves so well, he can score, he’s got great touch … That’s a grown man right there.“

MORE: Kentucky Sports Radio details Somto Cyril’s presence on OTE circuit

Cyril, who received a release from his National Letter of Intent to Kentucky after John Calipari’s departure for Arkansas, joins a Georgia squad that currently returns four players from last season: Silas Demary, Blue Cain, Dylan James and Frank Anselem-Ibe. The Bulldogs, who made a run to the NIT semifinals in their first postseason appearance since 2017, won 20 games for the first time in eight seasons.

The Bulldogs have added a trio of transfers: De’Shayne Montgomery (Mount St. Mary’s), Justin Abson (Appalachian State) and Dakota Leffew (Mount St. Mary’s). With Cyril’s addition, Georgia has just four open spots remaining on its roster for 2024-25.

Georgia Basketball Roster Tracker

Returnees (4): Frank Anselem-Ibe, Blue Cain, Silas Demary, Dylan James
Additions (5): Justin Abson (Appalachian State), Somto Cyril (Class of 2024), Dakota Leffew (Mount St. Mary’s), De’Shayne Montgomery (Mount St. Mary’s), Asa Newell (Class of 2024)
Departures via Portal (6): Jabri Abdur-Rahim (Providence), Jalen DeLoach (Loyola Chicago), Justin Hill (Wichita State), Mari Jordan, RJ Melendez, M.A. Moncrieffe (Seattle)
Out of Eligibility (3): RJ Sunahara, Russel Tchewa, Noah Thomasson