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The Kentucky Wildcats are looking to add to their 2019 recruiting class by way of RJ Hampton, and things might be looking better for Calipari and co. than they were before.
In Corey Evans’ weekly Q&A session, he said that he feels it’s a two-horse race between Kansas and Memphis for Hampton, but also that Kentucky has made up tons of ground in the past couple weeks. Evans added that Kentucky’s pitch has gotten Hampton’s attention.
Evans also touched on the recruitment of Jaden McDaniels and the scuttlebutt surrounding him. He said that at one point in time, it seemed as if McDaniels had no interest in Kentucky and was looking to stay home in Washington and play for the Huskies, but much like with Hampton, Kentucky and Calipari have made up ground in the closing weeks of the recruiting period, and now it seems like Kentucky is the favorite.
Last week, tons of rumors out west were circulating that McDaniels might end up at Kentucky by way of a since deleted tweet from a west coast insider that was hinting at McDaniels going to Kentucky, and it seems like that smoke might have some fire to it.
It looks like Kentucky is on the verge on closing out its 2019 class soon, whether that be with one of, or two of Johnny Juzang, Jaden McDaniels and Hampton.
Now, when exactly could is Hampton going to commit? Well, Paul Biancardi of ESPN just tweeted this on Tuesday:
I recently spoke with R.J. Hampton. He plans on making his college decision at the end of May. He told me. ”I want to go where I fit in, can be myself & help a team win.” Choices are Memphis, Texas Tech, Kansas, & Kentucky. Hampton finished no.5 in the ESPN
— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) May 8, 2019
That makes perfect sense, as it not only allows Hampton to see who is staying and leaving for the NBA but also potential grad transfers. Arkansas Little-Rock guard Rayjon Tucker is regarded as the best backcourt grad transfer this year, and Kansas is in heavy consideration.
Then you’ve got Devon Dotson and Quentin Grimes, who are testing the NBA waters but could return to school. If that happens along with Tucker coming in, then Kansas’ backcourt is as crowded as Kentucky’s.
Of course, that could push Hampton to Memphis, but this recruitment is definitely a lot more interesting for Kentucky than we previously expected.