Chris Livingston schedules commitment for October 15

2022 five-star wing Chris Livingston is nearing a final decision, with an announcement officially scheduled for October 15.

The 6-foot-6 small forward out of Akron, OH announced his decision date on social media late Tuesday evening.

“I will be announcing my pro route/college decision on my birthday October 15 this year,” Livingston wrote. “That doesn’t mean I came to a conclusion yet.”

Livingston is listed No. 3 overall and the No. 1 small forward in the latest 2022 247Sports Composite Rankings. On3 has the five-star wing listed at No. 5 overall in its debut recruiting rankings.

The five-star standout received a scholarship offer from Kentucky back on May 18 and followed it up with an official visit on June 18.

“Well, geographically I love where it’s at because I have family in Kentucky and they were able to be with me on the visit,” Livingston said of his trip to Lexington, via Sports Illustrated’s Jason Jordan. “Coach (John) Calipari is a great person. You just wouldn’t think he’d be that cool because he’s a legend in basketball, but he’s very easy to talk to and just a guy you want to be around.”

As for Calipari’s pitch, Livingston says the school’s name, image and likeness presentation was impressive and he enjoyed watching practice, among other highlights.

“Their plan is cool, he said the system doesn’t change but they change you to be ready for the next level,” Livingston told Sports Illustrated. “They’re all about preparation for the NBA there. They talked a lot about NIL a lot and what they’d have to offer there. I got to see them in practice and that was very intense. He really broke down to me how the dribble-drive offense works and how it would benefit me. Then the fanbase is probably the No. 1 with the effect they have on social media and in person.

“They love their basketball players there. The coaches really were on me hard telling me how bad they wanted me there. I enjoyed everything about it.”

Livingston previously trimmed his list down to 11 options, with Alabama, Florida, Georgetown, Kansas, Kentucky, LSU, Memphis, North Carolina, Ohio State, Tennessee State and Overtime Elite (pro) making the final cut. Georgetown, Kansas, Kentucky and Memphis are seen as the main contenders, with the professional route also seen as a top option.