Top-25 junior Franck Kepnang talks reclass rumors, national recruitment

Franck Kepnang has to be one of the most underrated big men prospects over the last few years. Westtown’s 6-foot-10 junior caught the eyes of nearly 30+ college programs over the past year.

Kepnang was so impressive this season, it was almost as if he put up double-doubles on a regular basis.

Quick story, I attended the PSA Cardinals showcase in December and Westtown had a matchup against Brewster Academy, in which Kepnang one player of the game with 20 points and 15 boards. Kentucky’s John Calipari, who was there for Terrence Clarke, would end up leaving and begin his recruitment of Kepnang.

“Kentucky is still involved,” Kepnang said. The Wildcats have yet to offer but his name came up heavily and was connected with UK over the last few months as a possible reclassification candidate. But, although he had the chance to move into the 2020 class and play this fall, he told Stockrisers.com that the option is off the table.

“My goal is to fully participate in my final year of high school. I want to walk across the stage at Westtown and make my mother, as well as my family proud.”

As far as schools involved, basically every program that’s offered is involved. That list includes Pittsburgh, UConn, Illinois, Oregon, St. John’s, Texas A&M, Ohio State, Auburn, Georgetown, Syracuse, UCLA, Georgia, Indiana, Miami, and many others.

Out of this list, he’s completed zoom calls with many programs including multiple with Texas A&M’s Buzz Williams and staff. The Aggies already have Hassan Diarra signed, he is a former AAU teammate of Kepnang’s with the PSA Cardinals.

Another program that believes they’ve got a good shot? Vanderbilt. Jerry Stackhouse could have two NBA draft picks this fall and that isn’t such a bad pitch to have when recruiting. The Commodores zoomed with multiple times recently and will continue to heavily pursue.

If you ask Kepnang to fill out a scouting report on himself, what would it consist of? Here’s what he had to say:

“My biggest strength is to be an anchor on defense, being a leader, rebound the ball, and finish around the basket. In addition to that, I am a good shooter for the two’s and three’s. At this moment in time, I am focusing on being more comfortable handling the basketball.”