West Virginia University basketball coach Bob Huggins has announced that Sagaba Konate has signed a national letter of intent for the 2016-17 academic year.

 

Konate, a 6-foot-8, 240-pound forward from Bamako, Mali, currently attends Kennedy Catholic High in Hermitage, Pennsylvania. Last year as a junior at Kennedy Catholic High was his first year in the United States. Konate averaged 16.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game, playing for coach Rick Mancino. He helped lead Kennedy Catholic to a 24-5 record. He played AAU basketball for the Penn Ohio Athletic Club.

 

“Sagaba certainly brings much-needed size and tremendous athleticism to our frontcourt,” said Huggins. “He has been one of the better shot blockers on the AAU circuit this summer. His offensive skills continue to grow on a daily basis. He is a very large forward with great hands who has tremendous potential.”

 

Konate joins Maciej Bender (Warsaw, Poland/Mountain Mission School [Grundy, Va.]), Chase Harler (Moundsville, West Virginia/Wheeling Central Catholic HS) and Brandon Knapper (South Charleston, W.Va./South Charleston HS) in the 2016-17 recruiting class.

 

“We are very excited about this group as they bring all the components needed to be successful in the Big 12,” said Huggins. “They obviously bring size, skill, athleticism, and most importantly, tremendous enthusiasm for the game of basketball. They will unquestionably be a fun group to coach.”