Ahmad Nowell includes Kentucky in final four, planning visit
Kentucky is set to host one of the best point guards in the rising senior class on an official visit in the coming weeks.
’24 four-star guard Ahmad Nowell tells KSR he will be on campus leading up to the Wildcats’ trip to Toronto to participate in the 2023 GLOBL JAM. It’s a chance to see John Calipari’s freshman-heavy group in person before the team’s four-game event in Canada from July 12-16.
“I’m trying to get down there for the period where they’re practicing before their trip to Toronto,” Nowell said.
Kentucky offer and growing interest
The 6-foot-2 guard out of Philadelphia received a scholarship offer from John Calipari and the Wildcats at the conclusion of Nike EYBL Session I in Atlanta back in April. From that point forward, Nowell says Kentucky is one of three schools prioritizing him the most right now, joining UConn and Georgia Tech. He is coming off official visits to both programs.
Calipari and Orlando Antigua were courtside for Nowell this past weekend at Philly Live, sources tell KSR.
What intrigues him about the Wildcats? Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: the program’s pro culture.
“I know they develop a lot of pros, so just growing up and seeing all of the players that went there and made it to the NBA, that’s definitely what stands out to me,” he told KSR. “Because that’s the ultimate goal, me getting to the NBA. That’s definitely what stands out. They say I’m a winner and that I make great decisions, can really shoot the ball. I just do whatever it takes to win, so that’s the biggest thing with me. They said they really need some grittiness over there.”
Leaning on Justin Edwards
Nowell is a former high school and grassroots teammate of Kentucky freshman Justin Edwards at Imhotep Charter — the connector between the Wildcats and the standout guard. The coaching staff saw Nowell play while recruiting Edwards and liked what they saw. Things ramped up from there to open the EYBL season, where the Team Final standout led his team to the No. 1 overall seed at next month’s Peach Jam, averaging 13.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 51.5% from the field, 40.7% from three and 83.9% at the line.
He’ll certainly lean on the current Wildcat as conversations continue with Kentucky and he inches closer to a commitment.
“They recruited Justin Edwards, my former teammate at Imhotep,” he said. “They were recruiting him and went out to see him, and that’s when they saw me. That’s what made them interested in me. After the season once he was done playing, they just came to watch me a couple times early during EYBL and focused on me, said they really liked my game. And that’s when the offer came.
“Conversations definitely come up (with Edwards) and will come up if I decide to go over there. Those are definitely some conversations I’ll be having.”
Who else is making a push?
What about the other two programs Nowell says are prioritizing him the most, UConn and Georgia Tech?
“UConn was late on an offer due to being in March Madness, had a longer season while other teams were out earlier. I’ve been talking to them every day, basically since a week after they won the championship,” he told KSR. “I was their first offer, so that’s definitely an amazing feeling. It means a lot, just being recognized like a week after. I remember Coach saying when we first got on the phone, ‘Man, we’ve just been celebrating every day since we won,’ so that’s an amazing feeling being wanted by them.”
“I like a lot of things about Georgia Tech but the main thing that stands out is Damon Stoudamire,” he said in a separate interview with On3’s Joe Tipton. “Him being their head coach this year and him coming from the NBA. That definitely stands out because he’s going to be teaching stuff at another level. When I spoke to him, he explained that. He said how he can help me as a player, with himself being a point guard.”
Tennessee was seen as an early favorite for the four-star guard, extending an offer back in November and hosting him on an official in February. Are the Volunteers still in the running?
“They haven’t really backed up, but we have a base relationship since they’ve been recruiting me for so long,” he said. “We know where things stand, it’s really just my decision.”
Those are the four schools left in the running, officially cutting his list on Monday.
A two-way floor general
What will the program of his choosing get in the Imhotep and Team Final standout when it comes time to make a decision? A tough, physical two-way threat who guards 94 feet while also emerging as a standout shot-maker and facilitator.
“Individually, I’ve been working on my split decisions, trying to make my decisions quicker because that’s what you have to do in the NBA,” Nowell told KSR. “So I’ve been focusing on my split decisions and making jump shots off pick-and-rolls, also me finishing around the rim and getting up as high as I can, playing throughout the whole game. … I don’t feel like I’ve reached my full potential. I’m nowhere near it, but my play has been pretty good. I’ve been doing all of the things needed to help my team win, which is the ultimate goal.”
Where does he see his game taking that jump?
“I feel like everything is a weakness because you can get better at everything. Something specific I think I can work on, though, is my shot off the dribble and maybe playing through fatigue throughout the entire game, making split decisions while being fatigued,” he said. “… My biggest growth has been my shooting percentages from the 3-point line and overall. My defensive ability, getting more blocks and rebounds, stuff like that, I’ve grown in those areas.”
Bringing Philly toughness to college
Above all else, he plans to bring Philly toughness to the school he chooses — his best trait and the one he takes the most pride in.
“That comes from being from Philadelphia. Everywhere has their own style of play, you know? Kids out in LA have bounce, point guards from Philadelphia are just tough,” Nowell added. “We’re really gritty and tough, so that’s where that came from.”
Cutting his list to four, he plans to make a decision sometime after Peach Jam in July, he tells On3. That’s when he’ll have clarity following visits to each of his finalists with a grassroots championship potentially in hand.
By then, he hopes to prove he’s the best in his class at his position.
“I’m just focused on being the No. 1 point guard in my class right now.”
Will he follow in his friend and former teammate’s footsteps by taking his talents to Lexington? It starts with an official visit.
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