Immanuel Quickley's AAU director: "I do believe Kentucky is the leader," decision expected in September
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It's not a secret five-star point guard Immanuel Quickley is a big fan of the Kentucky Wildcats, and most experts believe it'd be a massive upset for him to end up anywhere other than UK.
Quickley has cut his list to Kansas, Miami (FL), Maryland, and Kentucky, and he told KSR in June a final decision is expected before his senior year begins.
SEC Country caught up with Jide Sodipo, executive director of Team BBC and advisor for Quickley, on the star point guard's recruitment, play style, potential future teammates, and what he knows about the decision date.
When asked about Quickley's experience playing for Coach Calipari in Egypt, Sodipo said it was Cal's coaching intensity that intrigued his star guard the most.
“I think he enjoyed it, because he’s the kind of kid who loves to be pushed," Sodipo said. "That’s one thing he took away from it: Cal coaches tough and likes to push you. He’s going to push you to the limit and sometimes you’re going to love him and sometimes you’re not going to like him, but at the end of the day, you’re getting better.
"He really liked that experience, because he’s a kid that likes to learn. He’s like a sponge; he soaks in everything.”
Most people know about Quickley's desire to play with high school phenom Zion Williamson, but Sodipo mentioned another name that may be of interest to Kentucky fans.
“I know him and Zion have been roommates [on AAU trips] and that’s something they talk about, and I know he’s played with some other guys like (Cam) Reddish with USA Basketball, and those guys like to play with him,” said Sodipo.
Williamson, Reddish, and several other top prospects in the nation have raved about Quickley in the past and have expressed their desire to play with the Maryland native. But why?
“The kind of young man he is, it’s very easy for a lot of people to want to play with him. He’s so unselfish,” Sodipo said. “He doesn’t mind sacrificing all the points if someone else is doing well. He’s going to make the right basketball play every time, so that attracts a lot of people."
So when does he plan on making a decision? According to Sodipo, we're just a month away.
“(After taking his official visits, Quickley will) sit down with me and his family and make a decision,” said Sodipo. “I expect him to make a decision in September.”
As far as favorite schools go, Sodipo says the Wildcats are the team to beat for the 6'3 guard.
“In recruiting, anything can happen, but I do believe Kentucky is the leader,” Sodipo said.
Similar to Quade Green last year, Quickley could start quite the domino effect of five-star recruits wanting to join in on the fun at Kentucky.
Read the rest of Sodipo's interview with SEC Country here.
adidas[/caption]
It's not a secret five-star point guard Immanuel Quickley is a big fan of the Kentucky Wildcats, and most experts believe it'd be a massive upset for him to end up anywhere other than UK.
Quickley has cut his list to Kansas, Miami (FL), Maryland, and Kentucky, and he told KSR in June a final decision is expected before his senior year begins.
SEC Country caught up with Jide Sodipo, executive director of Team BBC and advisor for Quickley, on the star point guard's recruitment, play style, potential future teammates, and what he knows about the decision date.
When asked about Quickley's experience playing for Coach Calipari in Egypt, Sodipo said it was Cal's coaching intensity that intrigued his star guard the most.
“I think he enjoyed it, because he’s the kind of kid who loves to be pushed," Sodipo said. "That’s one thing he took away from it: Cal coaches tough and likes to push you. He’s going to push you to the limit and sometimes you’re going to love him and sometimes you’re not going to like him, but at the end of the day, you’re getting better.
"He really liked that experience, because he’s a kid that likes to learn. He’s like a sponge; he soaks in everything.”
Most people know about Quickley's desire to play with high school phenom Zion Williamson, but Sodipo mentioned another name that may be of interest to Kentucky fans.
“I know him and Zion have been roommates [on AAU trips] and that’s something they talk about, and I know he’s played with some other guys like (Cam) Reddish with USA Basketball, and those guys like to play with him,” said Sodipo.
Williamson, Reddish, and several other top prospects in the nation have raved about Quickley in the past and have expressed their desire to play with the Maryland native. But why?
“The kind of young man he is, it’s very easy for a lot of people to want to play with him. He’s so unselfish,” Sodipo said. “He doesn’t mind sacrificing all the points if someone else is doing well. He’s going to make the right basketball play every time, so that attracts a lot of people."
So when does he plan on making a decision? According to Sodipo, we're just a month away.
“(After taking his official visits, Quickley will) sit down with me and his family and make a decision,” said Sodipo. “I expect him to make a decision in September.”
As far as favorite schools go, Sodipo says the Wildcats are the team to beat for the 6'3 guard.
“In recruiting, anything can happen, but I do believe Kentucky is the leader,” Sodipo said.
Similar to Quade Green last year, Quickley could start quite the domino effect of five-star recruits wanting to join in on the fun at Kentucky.
Read the rest of Sodipo's interview with SEC Country here.
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