BOISE, Idaho – Boise State men's basketball head coach Leon Rice signed another exceptional talent for the future, the program announced Thursday, as Emmanuel Akot will join the team this summer. Akot comes to the Broncos after spending a year and a half at Arizona, as he played the entirety of the 2017-18 season and the first half of 2018-19. He will have to sit out the 2019-20 season before being eligible for competition in 2020-21 with two years of athletic eligibility remaining.
"We are very excited to have Emmanuel join our program," Rice said. "Bronco Nation is going to love his size, toughness and ability to play multiple positions. His experience and leadership abilities are going to play a huge part in this program moving forward."
Akot hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and finished his high school career at Wasatch Academy in Mount Pleasant, Utah.
247Sports dubbed him with a five-star rating when he came out in 2017, putting him as the No. 24 overall player and the No. 7 small forward in their national rankings.
Akot was also praised by ESPN.com and given a four-star rating with a scout grade of 88, making him the highest rated player (as a prep) to ever join Boise State. He was ranked the 43rd-best player and was a member of ESPN's Top 100 for 2017.
"I chose Boise State because of the culture," Akot said on why he chose to become a Bronco. "Coach Rice does a great job of running the show and helping his players improve and reach their goals. I'm excited to join a great community and to do big things as a Bronco."
Similar to fellow Canadian and Bronco signee, Abu Kigab, Akot represented his home country on an international level and competed at the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championships where he averaged 9.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
Akot naturally thrived during his time as Wasatch, as well, averaging 17 points, seven rebounds and two assists per game as a senior. He led Wasatch to 21 wins his final season and helped the Tigers earn an invitation to the Dick's Sporting Goods National Tournament in New York City.
He instantly saw time on the court as a freshman for Arizona in 2017-18, averaging 10.4 minutes per game while playing in all 31 contests. He was a starter for the Wildcats in 2018-19 and his playing time went up to 19.3 mpg. Akot averaged 3.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game as a sophomore and tied his season high of seven points four times.
"We are very excited to have Emmanuel join our program," Rice said. "Bronco Nation is going to love his size, toughness and ability to play multiple positions. His experience and leadership abilities are going to play a huge part in this program moving forward."
Akot hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and finished his high school career at Wasatch Academy in Mount Pleasant, Utah.
247Sports dubbed him with a five-star rating when he came out in 2017, putting him as the No. 24 overall player and the No. 7 small forward in their national rankings.
Akot was also praised by ESPN.com and given a four-star rating with a scout grade of 88, making him the highest rated player (as a prep) to ever join Boise State. He was ranked the 43rd-best player and was a member of ESPN's Top 100 for 2017.
"I chose Boise State because of the culture," Akot said on why he chose to become a Bronco. "Coach Rice does a great job of running the show and helping his players improve and reach their goals. I'm excited to join a great community and to do big things as a Bronco."
Similar to fellow Canadian and Bronco signee, Abu Kigab, Akot represented his home country on an international level and competed at the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championships where he averaged 9.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
Akot naturally thrived during his time as Wasatch, as well, averaging 17 points, seven rebounds and two assists per game as a senior. He led Wasatch to 21 wins his final season and helped the Tigers earn an invitation to the Dick's Sporting Goods National Tournament in New York City.
He instantly saw time on the court as a freshman for Arizona in 2017-18, averaging 10.4 minutes per game while playing in all 31 contests. He was a starter for the Wildcats in 2018-19 and his playing time went up to 19.3 mpg. Akot averaged 3.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game as a sophomore and tied his season high of seven points four times.
