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West Virginia lands power forward Sagaba Konate

West Virginia v Maryland

West Virginia v Maryland

Jamie Sabau

Thursday evening West Virginia landed its third commitment in the Class of 2016, as three-star power forward Sagaba Konate made his pledge to join Bob Huggins’ program next year. Konate, who attends Kennedy Catholic HS in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, also held offers from programs such as Pittsburgh, Purdue, Dayton and George Mason.

The 6-foot-8 Konate comes from a family that has produced multiple college basketball players, with older brother Bakary playing at Minnesota and three others having completed their respective college playing careers.

Konate joins guards Brandon Knapper and Chase Harler in West Virginia’s 2016 recruiting class to date, and in regards to strength and athleticism he should fit in well with the big men the Mountaineers utilize. Jonathan Holton and Marshall transfer TyQuane Goard are the lone seniors in the WVU front court this season, with Holton being a critical factor in the team’s full-court pressure defense.

Among the front court players with eligibility remaining beyond the upcoming season are juniors Devin Williams, Nathan Adrian and Brandon Watkins, redshirt sophomore Elijah Macon and freshmen Esa Ahmad and Lamont West. Watkins, who has struggled with health issues throughout his sophomore season, underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL in late May and is likely to sit out this season as a medical redshirt.