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As is typically the case, college basketball recruiting becomes much clearer with the top teams once that summer recruiting circuit heats up.
This is usually the time when we really begin to have an idea of what coaches' recruiting big boards look like. It's no easy take ranking the top prospects based on their ability, potential, fit and even interest in the program.
It's no secret that even elite programs like Kentucky will concede guys like Wendell Carter Jr. to others if they feel said prospect simply isn't coming. There's no reason to waste time with a guy they know they can't get when they could be pushing harder for other recruits.
That may be the case with Carter, who revealed at the Nike Peach Jam that UK has not been in contact with him in months.
Top-five recruit Wendell Carter says he hasn't heard from Kentucky in "months." Hears from Duke, Harvard, Georgia on regular basis.
— Ben Roberts (@NextCats) July 7, 2016
Carter said he can't recall the last time UK contacted him. Still says he wants to visit Harvard, Duke, UK in the fall.
— Jeff Drummond (@JDrumUK) July 7, 2016
Carter did say there's still time for Kentucky to recruit him, and even went as far as to say teaming up with fellow 2017 stars Gary Trent Jr. and Kevin Knox at UK would form a historic team.
Wendell Carter on what would happen if he teamed up with Gary Trent Jr. and Kevin Knox at UK....#BBN #NikeEYB pic.twitter.com/rnBuyhikAe
— KSTV (@KSTV_Sports) July 7, 2016
Problem is, Trent and Knox are also likely to land at Duke, which makes that statement seem more positive for Duke than UK.
The good news is if UK is just surrendering on Carter now, that gives them more time and efforts to focus on DeAndre Ayton, Mohamed Bamba and/or Nick Richards in 2017.