Somto Cyril shares on commitment to Georgia, declaring for NBA Draft

It’s been an interesting few weeks for Somto Cyril, 2024 product of Overtime Elite and one-time member of John Calipari’s recruiting class at Kentucky.

Cyril, who committed to the Cats last June before signing in November, asked for a release from his National Letter of Intent on April 10th. That decision came after Calipari left Kentucky for Arkansas. Would he follow Cal to Fayetteville like several members of the signing class? Most probably would’ve guessed that when he asked out of his binding commitment to Kentucky. However, less than three weeks later, Cyril has found a new home, and it’s not in Arkansas. Instead, the four-star center is staying in the Peach State he’s come to know and love prepping in the Overtime Elite program. On Monday, Cyril announced his commitment to Mike White and Georgia.

“It was an interesting last few weeks,” Cyril said in a sitdown interview at OTE. “A lot can happen in a very short amount of time. This fast (snaps). I was thinking, ‘Oh, I’ve got time,’ and then when I got released, it was a lot.”

Cyril said his phone was blowing up when word of his release went public. After choosing Kentucky over Providence, Cincinnati, Indiana and others, all those schools and more were reaching back out to check in.

Among those was Georgia. White came calling and was one of several head coaches that included Bruce Pearl (Auburn), Kim English (Providence), Damon Stoudamire (Georgia Tech), and of course Calipari (Arkansas), that attended the Overtime Elite spring combine on April 16th to check Cyril out. Interest was high enough from both sides to set up a visit within a week. Cyril said he knew when in Athens it was the place he wanted to continue his career.

“I feel like it’s just me and the way I go about things, the way I handle everything,” Cyril said. “When I went on the visit, the way I operate, it’s about the feel and the facts that I see. My spirit felt like that was the place. I knew at that moment I was going to be going down there.”

“I’ve known Coach White since my freshman year. I’ve known him since he was at Florida. He offered me my freshman year. One of the guys, my brother from Nigeria, Jason Jitoboh, he played at Florida. I went to some of the games to support. I’ve known him (White) for a minute. Good guy. Good peoples. Good vibes,” he continued. “I have nothing but respect for Coach Cal. Anybody that’s been close to him has respect for him because of his all around everything. At the end of the day, it’s about what’s best for you, putting yourself in the best position. I feel like UGA was the place for me.”

Cyril announced that decision to the world on Monday, choosing Georgia over fellow finalists Arkansas, Georgia Tech and Kentucky. There’s a twist to the decision though. Cyril, who was part of the post-graduate program for Overtime Elite this past season, also entered his name into the NBA Draft. By doing so, the 6-foot-10, 240-pound big man can go through the process and receive feedback from scouts on what he needs to improve.

“It’s always good to get feedback from the right people. Go over there and get the information I need from the right people, from the trustable sources. I can trust it directly from the person I’m going to be seeing soon, maybe next year or two,” Cyril said. “Whatever it may be, the information is directly from them to see what I need to improve on to be ready for whatever.”

“I feel like some people see it. Some don’t really see it,” Cyril added about his game. “You can’t impress everybody, but I feel like the most important thing for me is the right people seeing it. If the right people see it, the rest is whatever. If the right people see what you can do and how you can do it, that’s the best thing that can happen to you. It’s a life changer.”

As for when he arrives in Athens – assuming he withdraws from the draft by the May 29th deadline to do so – Cyril plans on being part of a special season at Georgia. He’s spent time around both Freshman All-SEC guard Silas Demary and incoming five-star forward Asa Newell. Playing alongside them, Cyril believes the Bulldogs can win games and make it back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015.

“It’s just me being me, Somto. I’m just picking up my apartment and going over there. The same energy, the same guy, the same vibe, everything. I feel like once I’m down there with the guys I mentioned, Asa Newell and Silas, I think we’re going to be pretty good. We have a high level over there. It’s going to be fun, for sure,” Cyril said. “Showtime, athletic bigs. Most importantly, we’re going to win games. Last year they won 20 games. I think when I go down there my teammates, we’re going to get back to being a high level program.I feel like they’re the underdogs. Under Dawgs.”

“I can fit into any program. I will do everything I can to help us win,” he continued. “My goal is to take the program to the NCAA Tournament. Defensively, make a statement for them. Prove that we can – we’ll play in the best league in college basketball, the SEC. We’ve got to show them we belong.”

Cyril added he doesn’t see himself as anything special. He’s just a regular dude like everybody else around the Georgia program and campus. Asked whether his presence in Athens could be like that of Anthony Edwards – a one and done on his way to being the No. 1 overall pick and a future star in the NBA – Cyril hopes he’s able to make a similar statement. He certainly believes there will be more winning involved though.

“We don’t bark. If they used to do that before, I’m going to change it. We don’t bark, we just bite,” Cyril said with a smile on his face. “We don’t bark over there, we don’t do all that talking. We’re about action.”

“I’m excited to come down there in a few months. Come down there, get ready to work, get ready for the season, meet my future teammates,” he continued. “I feel like this is going to be a really exciting season. Home games, come out, show love, support us at home. It’s going to be lit. I know that for sure. Pull up to Stegeman. We’re going to win games, a lot of games.”

Cyril’s addition to Georgia’s Class of 2024 alongside Asa Newell gives the Bulldogs the nation’s No. 9 class according to On3. UGA has also added a trio of transfers this offseason – De’Shayne Montgomery (Mount St. Mary’s), Justin Abson (Appalachian State) and Dakota Leffew (Mount St. Mary’s) – to go along with its four slated returnees – Frank Anselem-Ibe, Blue Cain, Silas Demary and Dylan James. Georgia still has four open scholarship spots remaining, and the Bulldogs are pursuing other options in the transfer portal to fill the rest of the roster out for 2024-25.