KSR Today: Closing the page on July 2022
Good morning, folks! July is coming to a close, which means we’re that much closer to the Big Blue Bahamas Tour, which begins on August 10 (also my birthday, for those wanting to send a Cane’s gift card).
July was quite the busy month for the middle of the offseason, too. In just the last week, we saw Reed Sheppard get the best of Robert Dillingham on ESPN, Justin Edwards chose Kentucky over Tennessee, and native QB Beau Allen enter the transfer portal. Prior to that, the football program added a pair of four-stars in safety Avery Stuart and wide receiver Anthony Brown, among a few other three-star prospects. SEC Media Days took up a good chunk of our time too. We also still don’t know what’s going on with senior running back Chris Rodriguez Jr.
I’m sure I’m forgetting a lot more. But I digress. Let’s dive into the news and notes you need to start your Sunday off on the right foot.
Ugonna Kingsley decides on Monday
Will Kentucky add a last-second addition to the 2022-23 roster? All signs are pointing to an emphatic yes.
2022 five-star center Ugonna Kingsley Onyenso is set to announce his commitment live with 247Sports on Monday, choosing between Kentucky, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Tennessee. The announcement will be made live on the 247Sports YouTube channel.
The 7-foot center took an official visit to Kentucky to open the NCAA live period on July 20, with John Calipari and Orlando Antigua staying back to close on the prized recruit. How did things go? In a trip that was wildly important for both sides — UK was sacrificing valuable evaluation time, while the five-star center was looking to reclassify and enroll sooner rather than later — it was nothing short of a home run.
Sources tell KSR that Kingsley, now ranked No. 18 overall in On3’s 2022 player rankings, thoroughly enjoyed his time in Lexington and felt at home on campus. All of the boxes regarding facilities, coaching, roster construction, and his path to the floor were checked off, with Kentucky’s vision for the standout center aligning with his own.
Come on down, big guy.
Dissecting practice highlights
100 more days…
We’ve officially reached the point in the offseason where highlight videos are newsworthy. Even if the clips are just a minute long, the Big Blue Nation can’t help itself from closely identifying and critiquing every little move that happens. The latest video dropped on Saturday features John Calipari talking about the program over a string of practice highlights. I’ll let you dissect all of the shots and dribbles for yourself, but I have to admit, it’s a video that will have you eager for those first few games in the Bahamas.
Speaking of the men’s basketball team, we’ve been unloading content like crazy over the last few days. The likes of Orlando Antigua, Chin Coleman, and Reed Sheppard spoke with the media on Thursday where they had plenty to say. In case you missed any of it, you can catch up on everything we’ve wrote at KSR through the links below.
- Reed Sheppard on impressive ESPN debut: “I just proved that I belong”
- Chin Coleman describes his second-year mindset, relationship with John Calipari
- Kentucky’s chemistry, versatility already on display in summer workouts
- Reed Sheppard helping recruit “Dream Team” to Kentucky
- Chin Coleman on Cason Wallace, Chris Livingston: “They have fear but they’re fearless”
- Kentucky men’s basketball prioritizing rim protection during offseason
- Reed Sheppard hosts first camp, proud to use NIL “the right way”
- Sahvir Wheeler expected to be the “best point guard in the country”
- CJ Fredrick bringing “special” shooting stroke, competitive edge to Kentucky
- Oscar Tshiebwe has to prove to John Calipari his 3-point shot can be reliable
- Antonio Reeves is the spark-plug scoring piece Kentucky needed
- Coaches respond to Jacob Toppin’s new physique, confidence, 3-point shot
Donate to the KSR Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund
Kentucky Sports Radio (KSR) and the Kentucky Chamber Foundation are partnering to build a relief fund for our fellow Kentuckians to ensure they are able to rebuild. With the money raised in this fund, our two groups will be working with local communities, local chambers, as well as our state and local elected officials to ensure the needs of these areas are met in the wake of tragedy.
You can donate online or via check. Checks should be made out to Kentucky Chamber Foundation. Mail checks to 464 Chenault Rd. Frankfort, KY 40601 with ATTN to the Flood Relief Fund.
For more information on how you can help those in need after the devastating storms, visit the Kentucky Chamber resource page.
UK doesn’t crack Stojakovic’s top 6; Booker chooses Michigan State
Go ahead and cut to more 2023 targets off Kentucky’s Big Board. Both Andrej Stojakovic and Xavier Booker are officially no longer on the Wildcats’ radar.
Four-star guard Andrej Stojakovic has trimmed his list to six schools, with the Wildcats not making the cut. He is now considering Texas, Duke, Stanford, UCLA, Virginia, and Oregon.
The 6-foot-6 wing earned an offer from the Kentucky coaching staff in April after an impressive spring on the Adidas 3SSB circuit with the Compton Magic. The eldest son of NBA great Peja Stojakovic, the four-star prospect told KSR that earning an offer from the Wildcats was “surreal” and “a dream.” But the ‘Cats didn’t go all-in on the younger Stojakovic following the offer and thus didn’t crack the top six.
As for Xavier Booker, the five-star center committed to Michigan State on Saturday. A 6-foot-10 prospect out of Indianapolis (Ind.) Cathedral, he previously considered Kentucky before cutting the Wildcats from contention earlier this week.
Booker heard from Kentucky throughout the spring and early summer, with the staff visiting him on multiple occasions. At the time, he made it clear that UK was a program he was interested in and would like to visit. However, the relationship didn’t build from there.
4-star EDGE Neeo Avery makes decision today
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the ‘Cats will be the choice.
Neeo Avery (6-4, 225), who is the No. 253 ranked prospect in the class of 2023 according to the On3 Consensus, announced four finalists three weeks ago with Kentucky, Maryland, Ole Miss, and Oregon all appearing in the final group.
A former Penn State commit, Avery took official visits to Maryland and Kentucky in June. The Wildcats also got the blue-chipper on campus for an unofficial visit back in November. However, Ole Miss has gotten the prospect to Oxford three times in the last three months and still has an official visit available to use in the fall.
The Rebels are the favorite leading into decision day, with four RPM picks logged since July 26 in favor of Ole Miss.
That’s everything I’ve got for you all today. It’s gonna be a cool (and potential damp) one across central Kentucky today. Stay safe out there and we’ll see you all in August.
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