Shaka Smart has landed the piece he hopes will carry his Texas squad to the NCAA Tournament.

Mo Bamba, the 5-star big man who was regarded by most recruiting services as the best remaining player in the 2017 class, has committed to the Longhorns, he said in a piece in the Player’s Tribune. Bamba was also considering Kentucky, Duke, Michigan, and numerous other programs.

Bamba, a 7-footer from Harlem, NY, is expected to be a lottery pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. DraftExpress lists Bamba as the 4th pick in the 2018 draft.

For now, Bamba will be focused on helping lead the Longhorns to significantly more success than they had last season. Texas stumbled to an 11-22 record and finished last in the Big 12. However, with a talented freshman class of 5 headlined by Bamba and PG Matt Coleman, along with the return of key contributors Andrew Jones (should he return to school) and Kerwin Roach Jr, Smart and Texas will have their eyes set on returning to the Big Dance. The Longhorns also add stretch four Dylan Osetkowski, a transfer from Tulane, to the mix for next season.

DraftExpress lists Bamba’s strengths as “Elite physical profile for a center prospect at 7’0, with a 7′ 9 wingspan and a 9′ 6 standing reach”, “Has the tools to be a monster defensively. Nimble enough to step out and switch ball screens, space defending and using his huge reach to contest. Quick enough to recover to blocks at the rim if beat. Length and quick leaping should help him develop into an excellent rim protector”, and “Solid footwork in the post. Can make a right-hand jump hook. Has touch around the rim”. – Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Mohamed-Bamba-91224/ ©DraftExpress