Syracuse Basketball: Despised Big East rival in the fray for big-man target

Talented and under-rated 2023 big man Papa Kante continues to see his list of scholarship offers expand, presenting an even greater challenge for Syracuse basketball to win out for the 6-foot-10 power forward/center.

Kante, a top-125 prospect nationally in his class, landed an offer from the Orange last month while attending the team’s annual Elite Camp. As we’ve documented, the ‘Cuse doled out several offers at its Elite Camp.

For Kante, two of his newest offers are from long-time Big East Conference adversary Georgetown and fellow Atlantic Coast Conference member Miami, according to recruiting services.

Also not too long ago, he received offers from blue-blood school Kansas, which is a Big 12 Conference squad, as well as another former Big East foe, Providence.

Those are some really attractive offers for Kante, who is a junior at the South Kent School in South Kent, Conn. On the AAU circuit, Kante runs with the Boston-based Expressions Elite Basketball.

Syracuse basketball is in a recruiting battle for a 2023 big man.

Kante’s stock on a national scale is on the rise, according to analysts and recruiting insiders. He performed quite well at Nike’s Elite Youth Basketball League, which culminated with the 2021 Peach Jam tournament in North Augusta, S.C., earlier this summer.

When Rivals.com recently refreshed its national rankings for the 2023 cycle, Kante jumped into those ratings as a three-star prospect and No. 123 overall in his class.

According to recruiting services, media reports and Kante’s own Twitter page, he has acquired other offers from groups such as the ACC’s Pittsburgh, Georgia, Rutgers, TCU, UMass, East Carolina, Bryant and Siena.

Additionally, from media reports that I’ve read about Kante of late, he also seems to have interest from a range of high-major programs, including Mike Hopkins-led Washington, Virginia, Connecticut, Ohio State, Tennessee, Arizona and Marquette, among others.

Like I said earlier, that’s some hefty competition for the Orange in the recruiting sweepstakes over Kante.

Personally, I’m really high on Kante. I still think he is emerging on the national landscape within the 2023 class, but his skill-set screams of excellent potential at the collegiate level.

I have no doubt that other big-time college teams will offer him in the near future. Hopefully, Syracuse basketball will remain in the mix for him as Kante’s recruiting process carries onward.