Elite Center Karl Towns Commits to the Kentucky Wildcats

Five-star center Karl Towns from Metuchen (N.J.) St. Joseph's announced his collegiate decision today, committing to the Kentucky Wildcats. He announced the decision at his high school, choosing Kentucky over teams like the Duke Blue Devils and Florida Gators.

Towns is currently one of the top rated players in the 2015 class. There has been speculation that Towns plans to reclassify to the 2014 class, Towns also announced today his reclassification to 2014, making him eligible to play college one year earlier. In an interview with Jason Jordan of USA Today, Towns stated that he remains undecided about reclassification.

Even with his reclassification to the 2014 class, he becomes the youngest prospect to commit to Kentucky during the John Calipari era. That said, Calipari is likely more familiar with Towns than any other prospect he's recruited. Towns played for Calipari on the Dominican Republic National Team this summer, including participation in summer practices in Lexington and qualifying games.

Towns decided he wanted to make a decision following the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. In the aforementioned Jason Jordan article, here's what Towns' father had to say about his son's decision:

"You just have all the time in the world to reflect when you don’t have power," said Towns’ father Karl Towns Sr. "He came to us four days after we got our power on and said he wanted to set a date to make a decision. We were a little shocked, but we supported it. He just didn’t want the whole process to weigh on him. He’s got other things to worry about."

Towns now becomes the bell cow for whichever recruiting class he ends up choosing. That's a role he is very comfortable with.

Towns’ logic was simple: If he picks a college early, it’s easier for the school to lure other great players.

"He wanted the school that he picks to have that advantage," Towns’ mother Jacqueline Towns said. "He wants to have all the pieces in place so that, by the time he gets there, he can be in a position to win a championship."

Another banner at Rupp? Kentucky fans will welcome that with open arms. Welcome to Big Blue Nation, Karl!