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Kobi Simmons pushes commitment back; Kentucky watches Harry Giles

Good news for Kentucky and two highly-touted 2016 prospects.

Photo by Francois Nel/Roberto Serra/Iguana Press/Getty Images

The Kentucky Wildcats are poised to finish with another highly-ranked recruiting class based on who they're in good position with in the 2016 class.

One player who once appeared bound for UK was five-star guard Kobi Simmons. For much of the past year, John Calipari has made Simmons one of his top priorities in the 2016 class, but that was before Cal began recruiting De'Aaron Fox more. That's caused Simmons to sour on UK a bit, but the Cats still have a chance with him now that he's pushing his college decision back to the spring period.

Had Simmons decided now, he wasn't going to pick UK, and Cal probably wouldn't have even taken a commitment from him. Not only is Cal confident in getting Fox, but fellow five-star 2016 guard Malik Monk as well. If Cal gets those two, there's probably no room for Simmons, but if Fox or Monk go elsewhere, Simmons could be in play again.

That's why Simmons pushing his decision back to the spring is great news for Kentucky. As of now, Ohio State, UNLV and Arizona are UK's biggest competitors for Simmons.

One player who probably isn't waiting until spring to make a decision is five-star forward Harry Giles. Regarded by many as one of the two or three best players in the 2016 class, Giles is set to make his decision on Nov. 14, and Duke is still viewed as the favorite.

However, UK isn't giving up just yet. Calipari and assistant coach Kenny Payne were in Virginia on Tuesday night to see the season opener for Giles and his Oak Hill Academy team. Oak Hill scored an 88-43 victory over Moravian Prep (N.C.), but Giles was injured early in the game and did not return. It's still not clear if the injury was serious, but it wouldn't deter UK and Duke from going all out to get Giles.