Michigan Basketball: Latest on Papa Kante and Isaiah Collier in 2023

Papa Kante has been a top target for Michigan basketball for months, plus the latest on five-star point guard Isaiah Collier.

It sounds like a decision will be coming sooner rather than later for Michigan basketball recruiting target Papa Kante.

The 6-foot-10 big man is expected to go back home to Senegal, Africa according to Chris Balas of The Wolverine:

"“Papa Kante is headed home for the first time in three years to see his family. He’s expected to sit down and make his decision with their input, and Michigan appears to be in good shape.”"

The Wolverines were thought to be among the leaders for the past couple of months but there still haven’t been any expert projections for Kante. Rutgers and Pittsburgh appear to be the two biggest threats especially since he’s got friends already headed to Rutgers.

Here’s more from Balas:

"“But it’s not over yet. A Pitt assistant is the father of one of Kante’s AAU teammates. Dylan Harper, a 2024 guard and brother of Rutgers standout Ron Harper Jr., said recently he and 2024 shooting guard Tyler Betsey talk about going to Rutgers with Kante. In addition, Kante’s good friend, 2023 wing Gavin Griffiths, has already committed to the Scarlet Knights. So some close to it say it’s “gotten a little cloudier recently.”’"

That makes me a little uneasy. Juwan has worked really hard to build that relationship and according to Davis Moseley of the Maize and Blue Review, Howard is in regular contact with Kante.

Isaiah Coller releases a top four

Michigan basketball is going to host five-star point guard Isaiah Collier this week and just made the top four for the 2023 recruit along with USC, Alabama, and Cincinnati.  This was according to a report from Jamie Shaw of On3 and here’s what Collier said about the Wolverines:

"“There are definitely a lot of good guards going to Michigan right now. Juwan Howard is an NBA guy. They are getting players and are putting them in the league. I like how they play, and their playstyle and I’m looking forward to learning more about them.”"

Balas also wrote that there has been chatter of Collier playing out West but if Collier is making a decision soon and Michigan ends up being his last official visit, that will at least give the Wolverines’ a puncher’s chance to make something happen.

Juwan is always the wildcard too. The man can recruit and hopefully, he’s able to win over Papa Kante or Collier, or both, with their decisions coming soon.