Michigan Basketball: Breaking down roster movement with Papa Kante

There have been rumors about Papa Kante not joining the Michigan basketball program and on Tuesday, he asked out of his letter of intent. 

We have been hearing rumors about some Michigan basketball roster movement and it finally came on Tuesday with 2023 signee Papa Kante asking out of his letter of intent.

Kante signed with Michigan basketball last November as part of the 2023 class but is part of a growing number of 2023 recruits that are asking for releases from his letter of intent.

I don’t know what led to this decision. We only know that Kante won’t be joining Michigan basketball and that George Washington III is the only 2023 recruit set to do so.

What does this mean for Michigan basketball going forward?

The obvious impact is that it opens up a scholarship for next season. Michigan basketball has been pushing for former Tennessee forward Olivier Nkamhoua but fans were wondering how the Wolverines were going to manage the numbers because technically, there weren’t any scholarships available before Tuesday.

Technically there are two spots, however, one of them seems reserved for Jaelin Llewellyn. He needs a waiver but Michigan is pretty confident it will get approved according to reports. 

Numbers always tend to work out. Attrition happens and guys see that their role could be diminished and head to the transfer portal. But now, Michigan basketball won’t have to worry about those numbers unless they are looking to add multiple players.

There was some hope among fans that Nkamhoua could be added, along with a potential return of Hunter Dickinson, but it seems like that’s unlikely.

Even if Dickinson decided to come back, Nkamhoua probably wouldn’t want to join an offense run through Dickinson, at least according to some recent reports.

Nkamhoua averaged just under 11 points last season but he’s probably looking for a bigger role that will showcase him for the NBA.

Beyond that, it also makes sense why Michigan basketball has been searching for other big men. The Wolverines now just have Tarris Reed as a true center type on the roster. Tray Jackson played some five last season for Seton Hall and Nkamhoua could too, as well as potentially Will Tschetter.

If Nkamhoua is added, the frontcourt depth will at least be improved. As it stands now, Michigan needs to make a move and if Nkamhoua decides to turn pro or go somewhere else, the Wolverines will have to keep looking for a starting caliber power forward or center.

They are short one right now and that’s why landing Nkamhoua is so important.