By LARRY VAUGHT
Now that it has been confirmed that Huntington (W.Va.) Prep will play a game in Georgetown Nov. 18, Kentucky fans have to wonder if that might be the closest star Andrew Wiggins gets to playing in Lexington.
He’s expected to announce by Nov. 1 if he will remain in the 2014 recruiting class or reclassify to 2013 — in either class, he’s the top-ranked player.
Wiggins seemed to have his college choices narrowed to Kentucky and Florida State, where his father played, and then this week welcomed other schools to court him. That included two big names — Kansas and North Carolina — that could also sell him on winning a national title.
So what’s going on?
“I think he’s a little insulted that none of the other big programs are paying much attention to him. I still think it is a negative that Kentucky already has such a strong 2013 class,” one UK basketball source said.
Of course, knowing he could play with twins Aaron and Andrew Harrison, Marcus Lee, James Young and Derek Willis along with any players that remain off UK’s current team could also convince Wiggins his best chance to win a title is at Kentucky. He’s going to play — and star — wherever he goes.
“I believe playing with those other talented players at Kentucky appeals to him,” said another source close to the UK basketball program. “Cal doesn’t mind players looking at other schools. He has a great relationship with Wiggins. I’ll still be surprised if Wiggins doesn’t pick Kentucky. It’s just a good fit for him and Kentucky.”
Letting other schools recruit him is not a positive for Kentucky. But it also doesn’t mean he still won’t come to UK. No one has closed recruiting deals like Kentucky coach John Calipari in the last four years. He’s the best closer in college basketball right now and based on Calipari’s record and what UK has to offer, it will still surprise me if Wiggins doesn’t play his college basketball at Kentucky.
10 Responses to Wiggins talking to other schools does not mean he still will not pick Kentucky
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With Wiggins being the best player is all of high school basketball, he was disappointed that only two schools came knocking…other schools felt it was a waste of time and resources. Andrew has a high level of pride and is a staunch competitor, he thrives on challenges, he was disgusted he did not get to go “head on” against the SI cover boy out of Chicago. The new schools recruiting him are hammering him that he will not play the wing at Kentucky with Young being committed. Wiggins has seen UK play and knows that he will play where his talent lies…he is a 6’8″ wing and will shoot plenty of threes. It is interesting to see how the blogs jump on any detail to stop the “Big Blue Train”. I am sure he has also read he is the missing piece to one of if not the greatest recruiting class ever. Keep in mind that part of him reclassifying is the chance to play with the Harrisons……that is scary for the rest of college basketball!
Phase I:
Reclassify.
-CHECK!
Coach Cal, will not feed Wiggins ego, if that’s what he is looking for by opening up his recruiting to other schools, fine, let the stroking begin….But, if Wiggins wants to be Coached and pushed to improve his weak area (if any), then he will come to Kentucky and prepare his Game, his Mind and his Foundation for the NBA.
Larry; Very well said….you are right on!
Wiggins is great kid. No surprise that he reclassified today. Only logical decision to make. Next logical decision will be to pick UK
Let’s be careful about saying this that or the other with this kid. Every thing that I have read about him says good kid. So, it’s his right to feel wanted by more than two programs. That may be ego, but he is 17(?). His father and coach went out of there way (along with his host family) to try to describe how low key he was as far as attention goes. So if I’m a top ranked recruit at 17 yrs old there has to be a certain element of why won’t these other schools even call me?
That’s all I’m saying.
If UK has a negative with this kid, it is because of the size of the spotlight, I think.
KIDS WANT TO WIN…they want to jump up and down in the middle of the court with streamers and confetti falling upon them…they want CBS’ one shining moment playing at full bore as their play is shown on every sports program (with their faces present of course) and the knowledge that they are champions…and soon to be millionaires…come to UK and win…go to class, make a ton of money, support your family, pay taxes, maybe someday win an NBA title…or two…go to hall of fame…have jersey retired…blah blah blah…UK still the best place for Wiggins…and his dad knows it
I have heard it said Wiggins has no ego. Well, yesterday I read where Wiggins was bummed about Parker not being at the Peach JHam because he was tired of all Parker’s press. Then he said he plays like he is playing against NBA players. That’s the kind of ego Coach Cal loves and it will be surprising if he doesn’t sign with UK. Never bet against Coach Cal.
Don’t sweat this. He will end up playing for UK.
Bill Self knows this. When the top ranked recruit in the country says “Hey come recruit me” and Bill Self knows that he has no shot at him, he sends an asst. coach to meet up with him. What kind of message is that?
Also, those close to Wiggins said that a major consideration in deciding to re-classify or not was his girlfriend who apparently is not in the class of 2013.
His re-classifying is a good thing based solelyley on geography. Huntington is only a 2 hour drive to Lexington. In fact UK may be the closest school to Huntington. Maybe Xavier or Cincy, but those schools hadn’t been mentioned.
Great points about Wiggins John