:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63375822/6401452_355dbee7cba749cdb6baa321f41b58c5.0.jpg)
John Calipari has only offered one scholarship to players in the 2021 recruiting class, but that does not mean he is not putting in work with several others.
And after losing DJ Jeffries and missing out on James Wiseman, both to Memphis, Cal is showing that he is not afraid to keep recruiting in Penny Hardaway’s backyard.
Sophomore guard Kennedy Chandler is currently a top 25 recruit in the 2021 class, and he is listed as the No. 2 point guard. He had a breakout sophomore season, leading his Briarcrest Christian team to a state championship. As a sophomore, he was named MVP of the tournament.
Chandler has also gotten an invitation to try out for USA Basketball’s U16 team. He recently spoke to Evan Daniels of 247 Sports about that experience, what parts of his game he is working on, and how his recruitment is going.
“Right now I’m playing defense, picking up full court and getting my teammates open for a shot,” Chandler told Daniels. “Last year, I had no defense. I was horrible playing defense and I wasn’t a good leader. This year I have been picking up full court, knowing my man, playing defense and being more vocal out there.”
Chandler has already received several scholarship offers, including offers from the Florida Gators, Ole Miss Rebels, and Vanderbilt Commodores of the SEC.
“I got some more schools still looking at me and I’m excited about this summer to get more offers,” Chandler said.
He has taken unofficial visits to LSU, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt, all of which may have brand new coaching staff’s next year. But what school’s did he grow up watching that he hopes to land offers from?
“Duke my whole life, Kentucky,” Chandler said. “Kentucky has recruited me. Oregon, I like Oregon it’s a nice school and Florida State.”
You may notice that Memphis has not been mentioned at all up to this point. But especially since Calipari is now involved, I expect Penny to show up on Chandler’s doorstep any minute.
Check out Evan Daniels’ entire piece about Kennedy Chandler here.