2021 three-star big man, Kenny Pohto committed to the University of Minnesota, Saturday afternoon joining Treyton Thompson as Richard Pitino’s second commitment in the class of 2021.
Pohto, a native of Sweeden has been relatively under-recruited, as his only other reported D1 offer was Nebraska. The 6’9″ senior has only been attending an American high school for two years. He has been playing for top basketball program, Sunrise Christian Academy in Wichita, Kansas for the past two years. Sunrise has produced Buddy Heild, Stefon Mitchell (Shakopee, MN native), and current Gophers’ transfer big man Liam Robbins, while former East Ridge, MN five-star guard Kendall Brown is currently on the team.
Go gophers!〽️ pic.twitter.com/ZzVdwIjSch
— KennyPohto (@PohtoKenny) October 10, 2020
The current Sunrise Academy senior has great length standing at 6’9″ with very long arms, allowing him to be a very versatile defender. He plays very much like a modern big man, as he can stretch the floor at a high level with a smooth jump shot.
His offensive game overall is still a bit raw, but the splash plays that the Sweed makes on both sides of the floor show how special he can be. He is currently slightly undersized at only about 200 pounds, but I expect Sunrise Christian’s elite program should have him adding at least 10-15 pounds before he arrives in the Twin Cities. Pohto’s immense experience playing internationally in Sweeden and traditionally in America’s AAU circuit makes him a very interesting prospect going forward.
Pohto should fit almost perfectly alongside fellow Gopher commit Treyton Thompson to make a very interesting future for Minnesota’s frontcourt. I would imagine Pitinto would like to add at least one, maybe two more players for the 2021 class which could come as transfers or another traditional recruit.