Isaac Kante (2017) starts official visit to St. John’s; other news & notes

Catching up with some late 2017 recruiting notes and notes on targets and players of interest; we will update the recruiting weekend with some notes later today.

St. John’s is in need of a big man to provide defense, rebounding and a post presence next year. Chris Mullin and his staff looked at a pair of Putnam Science Academy players to that end; Alex Yetna, a slimmer but active forward has committed to South Florida, but the Johnnies have been in hotter pursuit of Isaac Kante, who brings some bulk to the court.

Kante, originally from Brooklyn, moved up his visit timetable, and started his official visit to St. John's today. Many believe he is a St. John's lean, and this is his final visit. However, he has a announcement set for May 2nd, so we may not know where he commits until then.

Steven Enoch, a University of Connecticut big man who St. John's was looking at as a potential transfer target (who would have to sit out a season), has chosen to transfer to Louisville. Of note for UConn, anyway, is the issue that Enoch's father told the Hrtford Courant that Steve Enoch wasn't developing as well as they had hoped in the guard-oriented offense.

Immediately eligible big man Sean Obi has transferred to Maryland from Duke, where injuries have left him on the bench. Maryland hopes the talented big man can provide depth; as a freshman at Rice University, Obi was one of the best rebounders in Division I and a serious impact player.

Meanwhile center Nikola Scekic, who visited St. John's, has chosen South Florida. Some fans were excited about the 7'2" JUCO center's possibilities, since he has a soft touch in the limited videos available on him. But his often-quiet production at Hutchinson Community College has to give many pause; and his slight frame does not address St. John's need for a complement to Tariq Owens, Kassoum Yakwe and Marvin Clark Jr. on the inside.

St. John’s had prioritized Kante over Scekic, as well.

And forward Isiaha Mike, a transfer from Robert Morris, has chosen to go to Southern Methodist for his remaining three years of eligibility. Mike is a versatile wing with potential.