Elite defensive player in high school basketball, Elite on the hedge, great floor runner, you can switch constantly with him on the defensive end as he can keep smaller quicker players in front of him, good on the glass, plays with 110% tenacity and outwills people with effort on the floor. He plays the game HARD when he plays which is old school Pitt basketball in the golden era. Was the best defensive player on the best defensive team in the entire EYBL. As long as his injury heals fine which all indications it will, he will be the best defender and rebounder on the team on Day 1.
He's in development on offense. Can make some midrange shots and 3s but is inconsistent there, but does most of his damage in the interior. He can pound the offensive glass for putbacks and is a good finisher 10 feet and in. Shot almost 60% in the EYBL which is big time.
This is him at the Pangos All American Camp, which is a selection only camp for the best of the best high school players in the country.
Jeff Capel and staff only go 3 and 4 deep for very, very few select players in the EYBL. Judah Mintz, RJ Davis, Papa Kante, etc.. The former 2 are 2 of the best players in the ACC this year. Capel wanted Kante bad, and the staff thought they were going to get him in the early signing period. In the upcoming EYBL, expect the Pitt staff to be deep 3 and 4 deep for Meleek Thomas and Derek Dixon in the EYBL. They want these 2 players bad too.
Kante is 6'10 with a 7'4 wingspan and weights 235lb. He is far from skinny.