KSR Today: GEICO Nationals set for tipoff in Florida
Good morning, folks! We’re still a couple of days away from the Final Four, but there is plenty of basketball to be watched elsewhere, especially if you’re a Kentucky fan. Let’s dive right into the news and notes you need to know to get your day rolling.
Chris Livingston preparing for GEICO Nationals
Just a couple of days after shining at the 2022 McDonald’s All-American Game up in Chicago, Chris Livingston will now turn his focus to winning a high school national championship.
The Oak Hill (VA) product and incoming Kentucky Wildcat will participate in this weekend’s GEICO Nationals down in Ft. Myers, Florida, which includes eight of the country’s premier high school programs. Livingston’s Oak Hill squad, ranked No. 5, will open up the action later today with a noon EST matchup against Link Academy (which features multiple five-star recruits such as Jordan Walsh and Omaha Biliew) that will air live on ESPNU.
Montverde Academy (FL), which includes former Kentucky commit Skyy Clark, will look to defend its 2021 title with an opening-round matchup against Compass Prep (AZ), the same school that produced TyTy Washington. Montverde also includes class of 2023 five-star forward Kwame Evans Jr., who holds a UK offer. Sunrise Christian enters as the one-seed with multiple five-stars on the roster such as Gradey Dick and Mark Mitchell.
Check out the full schedule below. If you’re in the mood for some basketball, today is a perfect opportunity to watch the future. There are literally dozens of four- and five-star recruits set to take the stage.
Big O one step closer to Player of the Year
The honors keep rolling in for Oscar Tshiebwe. On Wednesday, the junior collected another prestigious title.
The West Virginia transfer has been named an All-American again after finishing the season averaging 17.4 points and 15.1 rebounds to become the first player to put up 15 and 15 per night since 1980. The 6-foot-9 center led Kentucky to a 25-6 regular-season record and a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Now we move over to the Player of the Year Award as Tshiebwe looks to become the first Kentucky player to bring home that honor since Anthony Davis in 2012. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft is currently the only player to win the Wooden Award in program history.
One day after a national champion is crowned in New Orleans, Tshiebwe should be handed the top award in college basketball. Once that is over, it becomes decision time for the star big man.
WVU commit fakes out UK
“Scuuuuuuurrrrrtt” — Cameron Calhoun
The three-star cornerback from Cincinnati broke neck muscles across the Commonwealth when he announced his commitment to West Virginia, choosing the Mountaineers over the Wildcats. Kentucky was the heavy favorite in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine after he visited Lexington twice in a three-day span last week. Georgia Tech and Boston College were also finalists for Calhoun’s services.
Neal Brown’s recruiting win does not completely leave the Wildcats high and dry. Calhoun is one of a few players at Winton Woods High School in Vince Marrow’s crosshairs. One of the Big Dog’s frequent stomping grounds and the home of Mike Edwards and Chris Oats, Kentucky will push its chips all-in on Jermaine Mathews. The Warriors’ other cornerback is rated slightly higher than Calhoun by On3.
The fake-out video was an interesting touch.
Kentucky associate head coach Vince Marrow responded with an…interesting…tweet of his own.
Oh, college football recruiting… How petty you can be…
Kentucky has its sights set on several other higher-ranked cornerbacks from the class of 2023, so the staff can choose to be a bit picky at the moment, which still feels weird to say about UK Football.
Kentucky cracks Leonard Miller’s top 10
Arguably the top uncommitted prospect from the class of 2022 is considering the ‘Cats.
According to On3‘s Joe Tipton, Leonard Miller, a 6-foot-10 forward with a 7-foot-3 wingspan out of Ontario, CA, is down to 10 potential options for the next level: Kentucky, Oklahoma State, Gonzaga, Auburn, Alabama, Kansas, TCU, and Providence for the college route, along with the NBA’s G League Ignite and Overtime Elite for the professional route.
Miller is not yet ranked by the likes of 247Sports, Rivals, or ESPN, but was recently tabbed as a five-star prospect and the No. 11 overall senior by On3 as his stock has seen a quick rise over recent months. The professional route has been rumored as the leader for Miller, although college several powerhouse college programs have recently gotten more involved, including the ‘Cats.
The Fort Erie product does not yet hold an offer from Kentucky or Gonzaga, however, it was reported less than a week ago that members of the UK coaching staff were in to see Miller for a visit. He’s taken just one official visit so far, which was to TCU, where his older brother Emmanuel just finished up his junior season.
We have our new unofficial jerseys for MBB
A champion has been named in KSR’s Kentucky Basketball Uniform Madness, with Brandon Owen (@75toRupp) earning the win over Jo Jo Stephens (@MrJoJoStephens) in the title matchup.
Tell me these wouldn’t be the best-looking jerseys this program has had in decades. Take note, UK Athletics.
If you missed the entire jersey bracket between these two incredibly talented designers, you can check it all out by clicking the link here.
That’s all the news and notes I have for you on this fine Thursday morning. Tune in to KSR in an hour to hopefully hear a technical difficulty-free show.
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