CENTER
2022-23 players not returning: Dan Akin (Graduated; Professional Contract in France), Trevin Dorius (Transferred to Utah Valley), Szymon Zapala (Transferred to Longwood)
Returning players: Isaac Johnson
New faces in 2023-24:
Jackson Grant 6’10” 226 (247 4*) – University of Washington – (3 years to play 2)
2022-23 (So.) Stats: PPG: 0.5 FG%: 13.3 3PT%: 0.0 FT%: 37.5 REB: 1.5 BLK: 0.3 STL: 0.1
2021-22 (Fr.) Stats: PPG: 1.1 FG%: 37.5 3PT%: 0.0 FT%: 56.3 REB: 1.5 BLK: 0.3 STL: 0.2
Offers from: Montana St
https://gohuskies.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/jackson-grant/14476
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs6Qm8VbpXo
Kalifa Sakho 6’11” 220 (NR) – South Plains CC, TX – (3 years to play 2)
Offers from: Alabama-Birmingham, Cal State-Bakersfield, Central Florida, Cincinnati, Florida International, Morgan St, St. Bonaventure, Weber St, Western Kentucky, Xavier
2022-23 (So.) Stats: PPG: 4.8 FG%: 63.1 3PT%: — FT%: 65.5 REB: 3.8 AST: — BLK: 1.3
2021-22 (Fr.) Stats: PPG: 6.3 FG%: 57.9 3PT%:— FT%: 52.1 REB: 5.3 AST: 0.3 BLK: 1.8
https://247sports.com/player/kalifa-sakho-46135886/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIfF4CeutDw
2023-24 OUTLOOK
Isaac Johnson
I believe that redshirt sophomore Isaac Johnson will see the majority of his minutes at this position. After beginning his collegiate career at the University of Oregon, Johnson transferred to Utah State prior to last season and spent the season as a redshirt. As a true freshman at Oregon in 2021-22, he appeared in 14 games. He averaged 2.4 points per game while shooting 60.9 percent from the floor, he did not make any shots from behind the 3-point line and he shot 55.6 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 1.1 boards per contest and also contributed 3 assists during the year. Coming out of American Fork High School (UT), Johnson was ranked by 247sports as the number 41 overall player in the country, the number 10 center, and the number 1 recruit in the State of Utah. Johnson is oozing with upside and really not even yet scratching the surface of what he could be down the road. He has good size, length, and a soft touch that already extends beyond the three-point line. He has the quick release to get his shot off under pressure. He is an excellent perimeter shooter for his size, runs the floor well, and has shown the ability to be a decent rim protector as well. The way the Aggies play position-less basketball, he seems like an ideal fit for the modern game. His ability to stretch the floor at the center position will be welcomed right away. With his size and shooting ability, there will definitely be a big spot in the rotation for him.
Kalifa Sakho
Junior Kalifa Sakho is making a strong case to earn the starting nod at this position. Sahko began his collegiate career at South Plains Community College (TX). He has 3 years to complete his final 2 years of eligibility. Sakho chose to become an Aggie over offers from Alabama-Birmingham, Cal State-Bakersfield, Central Florida, Cincinnati, Florida International, Morgan State, St. Bonaventure, Weber State, Western Kentucky, and, Xavier. As a sophomore at South Plains in 2022-23, he appeared in 30 games. He averaged 4.8 points per game while shooting 63.1 percent from the floor, he did not make any shots from behind the 3-point line and he shot 66.5 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 3.8 boards and 1.3 blocked shots per contest. He also contributed 6 assists and 6 steals during the year. As a true freshman in 2021-22, he appeared in 32 games. He averaged 6.3 points per game while shooting 57.9 percent from the floor, he did not make any shots from behind the 3-point line and he shot 52.1 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 5.3 boards and blocked 1.8 shots per contest. He also contributed 12 assists and 10 steals during the year. What intrigues me most about Sahko is his ability to move like a guard while being nearly a legitimate 7-foot tall. He has elite athleticism, elite lateral movement skills, and an elite ability to change the game on the defensive end. He was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the conference as a freshman. He is still learning the nuances of the game on the offensive end but you can’t teach the length and athleticism that he’s got. Offensively right now he’s a really good screener and finisher and he’s developing post moves. I think the coaching staff is really pleased with his progress.
Jackson Grant
Batting for playing time is junior transfer, Jackson Grant. Grant began his collegiate career at the University of Washington. He has 3 years to complete his final 2 years of eligibility. As a sophomore at Washington in 2022-23, he appeared in 14 games. He averaged 0.5 points per game while shooting 13.3 percent from the floor, he did not make any shots from behind the 3-point line and he shot 37.5 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 1.5 boards per contest and also contributed 7 blocked shots, 4 steals, and 3 assists during the year. As a true freshman in 2021-22, he appeared in 25 games. He averaged 1.1 points per game while shooting 37.5 percent from the floor, he did not make any shots from behind the 3-point line and he shot 56.3 percent at the free-throw line. He averaged 1.5 boards per contest and also contributed 4 blocked shots, 2 steals, and 2 assists during the year. Coming out of Olympia High School (WA), Grant was ranked by 247 sports as the number 78 overall player in the country, the number 13 center, and the number 3 recruit in the State of Washington. Grant is big with a wiry frame, runs the court like a guard, and finishes well above the rim. He plays well with his back to the basket finishing with drop steps and dunks as well as one-hand floaters. His length allows him to block shots, and snag rebounds above smaller defenders. He is also capable of stretching the floor with his outside shooting. He is a skilled big man who has soft hands and can score posting or facing up. He plays hard, is a good passer, rebounds his area, and has plenty of room to add strength to his frame.
PROJECTED 2023-24 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART
CENTER
20 Isaac Johnson (7-0, 227, So, TR, 4*)
34 Kalifa Sakho (6-11, 220, Jr., JC, NR)
21 Jackson Grant (6-10, 226, Jr., TR, 4*)
Coming Up On Tuesday: Power Forward