Green Bay graduate transfer forward Kerem Kanter, the younger brother of Oklahoma City Thunder big man Enes Kanter, has committed to play for Xavier, according to a report from ESPN.
The 6-foot-10 forward enjoyed a breakout junior campaign for the Phoenix last season. He averaged 19.1 minutes, 6.3 rebounds and 11.3 points last season -- all career-highs for the native of Istanbul, Turkey.
Following the conclusion of the season, Kanter declared for the 2017 NBA Draft. Despite his commitment to Xavier, he still intends to keep his name in the draft, but doesn’t plan on hiring an agent, leaving the door open for his return. Kanter can withdraw his name at any time during the draft process up to 10 days after the draft combine. Should he opt to play a final season for the Musketeers at the college level, he would be eligible immediately.
Xavier figures to be a preseason Top 25 team without Kanter in the fold, so if the Musketeers do end up with the once highly sought graduate transfer, expectations for the Xavier program will be sky-high following a 2016-17 campaign that ended in a Cinderella-like run to the Elite Eight.
