By ZACH SMART
ORLANDO, Fla. — The late, legendary, and inimitable prep scout Tom Konchalski was known to describe a rarefied brand of a jumbo-sized and skilled big man as a “mountain masquerading as a man.” The iconic and venerable Konchalski was also known to say “He’s got the body of a blacksmith, touch of a surgeon.”
Most who witnessed 6-foot-10, 225-pound behemoth Papa Kante play in Friday night’s EYBL Session One at the ESPN World Wide Of Sports for the NY Rens would agree the Class of 2023 prospect fits Konchalski’s terms.
Bulldozing his way to the rim, gobbling up boards, and flashing a feathery mid-range game, Kante is a fluidly athletic, baseline-to-baseline big. He brings a face-up jumper as the cornerstone of his offensive skill set. The versatile center has opened up a reliable outside shot as well.
With Juwan Howard on hand to see Kante in Orlando on Friday, Michigan appears to be jockeying for front runner position in the center’s recruitment.
Miami, Rutgers, Seton Hall, UConn, Georgetown, Kansas, and a barrage of others are in heavy pursuit.
“He’s a real student of the game and a sponge,” explained Raphael Chillious, who coaches Kante at South Kent Prep (CT).
“He’s only been playing for three and a half years, but has picked the game up quickly because he’s a film junkie and an absolute gym rat.”
While he’s still developing a refined back to the bucket game, Kante’s game is translatable to the highest level of play because of his advanced footwork.
Kante’s versatility and physicality enable him to be a veritable defensive backbone.
“Defensively his motor is so high and he moves his feet so well, he can switch 1-5 defensively,” Chillious said.
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