Pitt Offers 2021 6-foot-7 Nate Santos; to Make Decision ‘Real Soon’

On Monday night, Pitt offered another 2021 prospect, this time being small forward Nate Santos out of The Loomis Chaffee School in Connecticut.

Santos, a native of Geneva, Illinois, is a three-star prospect, ranked as the No. 227 player in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite. At 6-foot-7, 210 pounds, Santos’ ability to elevate over smaller defenders to get his shots off uncontested is what stands out most about his offensive skill set. Whether he is shooting off the dribble or on a catch-and-shoot opportunity, he has developed into a very consistent weapon from outside with potential to keep improving.

Photo via Nate Santos. Credit: @dfritzphotos

“I would say my versatility is my best strength,” Santos told Pittsburgh Sports Now. “Just being able to be effective both offensively and defensively in a lot of positions.”

Shortly after completing a zoom meeting with the entire Pitt basketball staff on Monday night, Santos was contacted by assistant coach Tim O’Toole, who had a special message for him: Pitt was officially extending an offer.

“Before they started recruiting me I didn’t know too much, so I have been in the process of learning more about them,” he said about Pitt. “I know Coach Capel has taken this job and wants to bring Pitt back to its winning history. I know that they are on the come up right now, and that Coach Capel is trying to build something special.”

While he currently plays in Connecticut and is being pursued by schools in many different conferences, Santos said that he would love to play in the ACC.

“I think it is awesome,” he said about the conference. “I consider the ACC the best conference in college basketball, so, that would be awesome.”

After tearing his ACL his sophomore year of high school, Santos made a full recovery and earned a plethora of high major offers heading into his senior campaign. Santos now holds offers from Pitt, Illinois, Georgetown, Virginia Tech, Xavier, Creighton, Dayton, Ole Miss, Yale, East Carolina, New Mexico, Grand Canyon, Iona and some more smaller programs.

“I am looking for a place where I can make an impact in the best way that I can and hopefully try to be a part of something special and build that program up,” he added. “And no, [being close to home] doesn’t really matter to me, because I go to prep school right now in Connecticut, so being away from home isn’t really an issue for me.”

Although Pitt jumped into his recruitment relatively late, Santos added that Pitt and George Washington are the two schools pursuing him the hardest out of any.

“I am hoping real soon,” he said on when he will narrow his list down and commit. “I don’t have an exact date yet, but I am hoping soon enough.”