Hamilton 7-foot center announces verbal commitment to Cincinnati Bearcats

Tolentino committed to Auburn last October but reopened his recruitment June 21, saying he wanted to keep his options open. He is now the first member of new Cincinnati coach Wes Miller’s 2022 recruiting class.

Tolentino is a three-star recruit who ranks 155th in the class of 2022, according to 247Sports.com. He averaged 9.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game in 14 games last season for Hamilton.

Corey Albertson, of TripleDoubleProspects.com, saw Tolentino play at a Miami University team camp in June and wrote: “The true 7-0 center operated mainly out of the mid and high post at first, using his superior size to distribute to cutters as well as showing good touch with his mid-range jumper, of which he hit several. Later, Tolentino got involved on the block, finishing multiple dunks well above the rim, as he is quick off of his feet to finish. If he can add consistency to the level of play he showed today, Tolentino should be one of the premiere players in Ohio high school basketball next season, as there aren’t many in the state who can contend with his combination of athleticism and shooting touch at 7′0.

Tolentino is from Hawaii. His family moved to Ohio in 2020 when all sports in Hawaii were cancelled during the pandemic.