Jeff Capel has landed another highly talented recruit for the 2023-24 season. Four-star incoming freshman center Papa Kante has committed to Pitt. Kante announced his decision Monday afternoon.
The news came out of nowhere with little rumors and speculation that an announcement could be in the near future. The 6-foot-10, 215-pound Kante originally committed to Michigan on Oct. 22, 2022. A member of the recruiting Class of 2023, Kante’s first collegiate visit was to Pitt on June 28, 2022. The Panthers were the second program to offer Kante – officially issued an offer on June 2, 2021 – the same day Rutgers offered the top prospect.
After verbally committing to Michigan, Kante signed his letter of intent on Nov. 10. The whirlwind of roster shakeups and player movement hit the Wolverines when Kante expressed his interest in departing the program and searching for a different option. Kante de-commit from Michigan on April 18 and reopened his recruiting cycle.
Georgia Tech offered Kante on May 13 and held the big man on an official visit three days later. Kante stunned many when selecting the Panthers, a pleasant surprise for Pitt faithful to begin the week.
Kante ranks as the No. 87th-best recruit in the class by Rivals.com and the seventh-best center. The South Kent, Connecticut native grades as a 92 overall recruit by 247Sports and 67th-best in 2023. On3’s recruiting prediction machine gave Pitt only a 2.5% chance to land the four-star talent.
According to 247Sports, Kante also received offers from Tennessee, Miami, Georgetown, Providence, Syracuse, Kansas, Seton Hall, TCU, Illinois, Ole Miss, and others. Kante becomes the third four-star prospect in Pitt’s recruiting class alongside Jalen Lowe and Carlton Carrington.
Pitt has one scholarship remaining and will currently add four freshmen and two transfers to a program that reached the Round of 32 and won two games in the NCAA Tournament.
Awful lot of bigs. Expect one of the twins to play point.