NCAA Basketball Recruiting: Analyzing 5 finalists for top-100 big Papa Kante

Memphis Tigers

Head coach Penny Hardaway loves having athletic and big centers that can control the paint. And while he’s not in the five-star variety that usually goes to Memphis, Kante could actually work out better for the program because he’ll be around for longer than a year, unless he becomes a breakout star early and leads them back to the NCAA Tournament.

With Deandre Williams leaving after this season and UT-Arlington transfer Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu likely not more than a rotation piece, the Tigers need more frontcourt help. Adding Kante would be that effective help and give them a talented multi-year asset for the future.

Michigan Wolverines

The Wolverines have an All-American center on the roster right now in Hunter Dickinson, who could be around for one more year potentially. Plus, his backup center is top-50 freshman Tarris Reed, Jr., who actually could be better than Kante. The power forward position is much more wide open, but guys such as Terrence Williams or Youssef Khayat could solidify the position for the future.

Even if Kante was willing to play with Dickinson for at least a year, the fit may not be ideal. It could look like last year’s situation with five-star freshman Moussa Diabate, who played forward mostly but may have been best at center. There are other options that have better fits in the frontcourt but playing for a program that makes the Sweet 16 every year and sends multiple players to the pros is still a solid selling point.