The #96 player in our 2023 rankings, Papa Kante has officially committed to Pittsburgh. The former Michigan commit requested his release from the Wolverines in April, however he has chosen Pittsburgh over Alabama and Georgia Tech this time around. Coach Capel & company have put together a solid 2023 recruiting class that consists of Jaland Lowe (#75), Carlton Carrington (#101), and Marlon Barnes Jr. The Panthers have also added Zack Austin (High Point) and Ishmael Leggett (Rhode Island) from the transfer portal thus far as well. Kante will be a big piece to the programs future and it’ll be interesting to see his how his role unfolds as a freshman.
Kante is a physically imposing big due to his blend of positional size, disruptive length, and a sturdy upper body build. He’s steadily developed his touch around the rim, plus he’s proved to be a functional post scorer that can exploit smaller mismatches with his size. His shooting touch has expanded in the past year, as he’s become a comfortable face-up scorer in the 12-15 foot area. Kante has shown glimpses of his ability to stretch the floor, however he’ll need to become a more consistent shooter from three-point range. He’s a capable lob threat who has the aggression, vertical pop, and soft hands to secure passes & finish plays off above the rim. He’s a prominent put-back threat who is a force on the offensive glass with his blend of size, length, and an energetic motor. Defensively, Kante constantly displays a high-motor and he tends to be productive as a rebounder and rim protector. The unique physical tools and developing skillset make him a valuable pickup for the Pittsburgh program.
