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In a poll conducted by the Lexington Herald-Leader, high school basketball coaches have voted for the top 25 players in the state of Kentucky for the 2018-2019 season. A very familiar face checks in at the top spot.
Kentucky Wildcats signee Dontaie Allen, who saw a meteoric rise in recruiting rankings this summer before receiving a scholarship offer from John Calipari, has been voted the No. 1 high school basketball player in the state of Kentucky.
Josh Moore of the Herald-Leader had this to say about the Pendleton County Star:
“Already in the mix for Mr. Basketball contention, Allen probably pole-vaulted to the top of many people’s ballots after eagerly accepting a scholarship offer from the University of Kentucky in August. The four-star recruit, ranked 73rd in the nation by 247Sports, averaged a double-double (11.4 rebounds) and shot almost 60 percent (59.1) from the field last season.”
Allen is a versatile wing that can defend, shoot, and make things happen off the dribble. After seeing him play this summer, Calipari was quick to offer and Allen was fast to accept. He is the first in-state Kentucky commit since Dominique Hawkins.
Perhaps the most notable ranking on the Herald-Leader’s list is David Johnson (Louisville Cardinals commit), who has consistently been ranked ahead of Allen and continues to be according to 247 Sports.
Former Kentucky recruit Kyky Tandy comes in at No. 3 on the list. Tandy’s relationship with the Wildcats’ coaching staff took a negative turn when Tandy’s father complained to the media about their approach to recruiting Kyky. His father wanted him to be “the man” somewhere, and he did not like the message that his son would have to fight for playing time. Tandy has not committed to play for the Xavier Musketeers.
The only other Kentucky recruit remaining on the list is Zion Harmon, and his relationship with the Kentucky staff is unclear as he is in the 2021 class. Also unclear is his high school eligibility. Harmon has played for three different high schools in the last three years, and the KHSAA (Kentucky High School Athletic Association) is still mulling the possibility of allowing Harmon to play for Marshall County, which would be his fourth high school, this season.