Top-35 2023 prospect Papa Kante commits to Michigan
Juwan Howard and Michigan basketball finally have their first class of 2023 commitment, and he’s a good one — South Kent (Conn.) School standout Papa Kante. Originally from Senegal, Africa, the 6-10 power forward pledged to U-M Thursday over Rutgers, Maryland, Memphis and others.
Howard made Kante his priority early in the process, and Michigan became a clear leader. The coach stayed with him even when he started hedging, winning him over in the end.
The No. 4 overall center in 2023 averaged 10.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game this summer, playing with the NY Rens on Nike’s EYBL Circuit.
“I talk with Coach Juwan Howard. I have a great relationship with Coach Howard; he’s texting me after every game and before games, good game or bad game,” Kante said in August. “I still talk to him now, even though I’m back home (in Senegal, Africa). I talked to [former Michigan big man] Moussa Diabaté on the phone during my visit there. He was at pre-draft and told me how Michigan helped him to get better Coach Howard played in the league for 20 years and knows what’s takes to get there.
“They say they’re going to play me like they did Moussa or like Bam Adebayo. They said they’re going to let me shoot it, and they keep telling me how they will put me in a great position to succeed in life.”
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On3.com’s Jamie Shaw said Michigan got a good one, though he’s still improving his offensive arsenal. He’s got a great motor and is outstanding defensively.
“The four-star center is a strong and physical post. His game works inside out as he realizes his bread is buttered around the basket,” Shaw said. “Kante has developed in that aspect as well. He has a go-to move, reliable over his left shoulder. While still developing, the footwork is reliable with the ball, 10 feet and in.
“His offensive repertoire is also expanding away from the basket. Kante notably worked this summer to become a pick-and-pop threat out to the three-point line. And that aspect gradually improved with optimism. Throughout the summer, on the EYBL Circuit, Kante attempted 1.3 threes per game, and he made roughly 30 percent of those attempts. After finishing the summer making close to 70 percent of his free throws, there is optimism for his development as a shooter.”
Watch TheWolverine.com for more on Kante and other hoops recruiting targets in the hours to come …
