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UPDATE
EJ Montgomery has now declared and will test the NBA Draft waters.
Good morning, Big Blue Nation.
As the roster for the Kentucky Wildcats starts to settle for the 2019/2020 season, there are still many questions unanswered and gaps that are left unfilled.
Two of the biggest are EJ Montgomery and Nick Richards. While everyone in Big Blue Nation assumes they are both returning, there’s not been any indication from either player about their plans for next season.
Which is a little worrisome considering they are two of the three bigs currently on the roster. John Calipari doesn’t have many options left in the 2019 recruiting class and who knows what’s going to happen in regards to grad transfers.
It’s imperative that one, perhaps both, of those guys return next season.
I feel pretty good about EJ coming back but one never knows with these guys. As for Richards, I do think he will go through the draft process and then who knows from there. As we’ve seen with multiple players in the past, it doesn’t take much from them to move on.
The longer they are silent about their futures the more worried I get. Ashton Hagans and Immanuel Quickley wasted little time in letting Cal know they are coming back for a run at a Final Four. And there are more players at their positions than there are for Richards and Montgomery. One would think the opportunity for so much playing time would encourage them to come back.
Keep checking back with us for any and all updates.
Tweets of the Day
Coach Cal at the Staples Center to watch Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. pic.twitter.com/J4nVnbDBdU
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) April 19, 2019
Cal was in California probably visiting five star guard Johnny Juzang. He could reclassify to 2019 and with the departure of Jemarl Baker, the Cats may need one more guard.
And I rock Kentucky blue... ⚪️ https://t.co/lUZwD3vjro
— Nate Sestina (@NateSestina23) April 18, 2019
Welcome to the family, Nate!
Brooks is ranked as high as No. 13 in the class of 2019.
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) April 18, 2019
He averaged 20.1 points and 7.5 rebounds for La Lumiere, which appeared in the GEICO High School Nationals. His team lost just one game all season.
Welcome to the family, Keion!
➡️ https://t.co/bY56SZKVPA pic.twitter.com/eYXvIwZzWS
Keion Brooks also made it official yesterday. Waiting on Kahlil Whitney to sign and he will do that next week.
Quickies
Derek Willis talks about being at UK multiple years | Cats Pause- I think this is great insight and it gives us a glimpse behind the transfer decisions of players like Jemarl Baker, Charles Matthews, and Marcus Lee.
Matthew Hurt to make decision today | Duke Basketball Report- Spoiler alert: it won’t be UK.
Bat Cats drop one to Tennessee | UK Athletics- The Vols are in Lexington for a series and it started off with a 4-2 win over the Cats. UK’s bullpen has been a complete disaster this season.
St. John’s may have their new coach | ESPN- After weeks upon weeks of embarrassment and rejections, St. John’s are working to finalize a deal with former Arkansas Razorbacks coach Mike Anderson. After seeing some of the other names floating around, I think the Red Storm lucked out here.
Warriors blitz Clippers | USA Today- Golden State blew a 31 point lead and lost to the Clippers after Demarcus Cousins was injured for the season. No such luck for the Clips last night as the Warriors opened a can.
Grading 2015’s college basketball hires | CBS- Tennessee’s Rick Barnes gets the highest grade here for the Vols. Other coaches graded were Mike White, Avery Johnson, and Shaka Smart among more.
Kansas appeals for banned player | ESPN- Silvio DeSousa has been permanently banned from college basketball by the NCAA but the Jayhawks are trying to get him back on the team. And they need him because that roster is a mess.