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UPDATE 2
Jake Weingarten now reports that Kerry Blackshear has arrived in Lexington and began his official visit.
Another KBJ update: He’s arrived in Lexington, i’m told. The staff returned from USA U-19 camp earlier and now the visit has begun. The end goal remains the same, get KBJ to commit in the next 48 hours. Very realistic, that’s the hope for Kentucky staff. https://t.co/icYIYx4HUR
— Jake (@jakeweingarten) June 19, 2019
Now we wait.
UPDATE
Jake has some more good vibes in the battle for Blackshear:
More on my Kentucky-KBJ report yesterday: Hearing the major interest between the two sides are mutual, UK is extremely hopeful they could land Blackshear on this visit. Texas A&M still vying for a visit. https://t.co/jNQnKwGqBC
— Jake (@jakeweingarten) June 17, 2019
It feels like if Blackshear is going to end up at UK, John Calipari and his staff have to seal the deal this week and not allow him to take any more visits. Texas A&M is still pushing hard for a visit.
We now know when Kerry Blackshear will be in Lexington.
According to Jake Weingarten, Blackshear will visit the University of Kentucky on Tuesday.
Breaking: Highly-coveted Virginia Tech transfer Kerry Blackshear Jr. will take an official visit to Kentucky beginning Tuesday night, a source told @Stockrisers.
— Jake (@jakeweingarten) June 16, 2019
Has visited Arkansas, Florida, and Tennessee.
Evan Daniels adds that Blackshear could still visit Texas A&M.
Heard the same regarding Kerry Blackshear visiting Kentucky on Tuesday. Wouldn’t be surprised if Texas A&M gets a visit before he decides as well. https://t.co/7iNIudzlVm
— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) June 16, 2019
This comes amid a report that Blackshear is down to Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas A&M. If that’s the case, then you really have to like the Wildcats’ chances here.
Blackshear had entered his name into both the NBA Draft and the NCAA transfer portal. While he could still return to the Virginia Tech Hokies next season, he is already being recruited by several major programs. He’s taken visits to Florida, Arkansas and Tennessee in that order, and he just finished up his visit with the Vols over the weekend.
Gonzaga, Memphis and Michigan State have also shown interest, though it doesn’t appear any of them will get a visit, as Blackshear is hoping to make a decision as early as this week.
Blackshear’s early recruitment by Kentucky was somewhat of an odd dance. There were reports of contact being make, which Blackshear’s father denied. Then came the news that there was an in-home visit, which he also denied.
Now we have confirmation that Kentucky is definitely pursuing Blackshear for next season, and the interest is mutual.
Kentucky is returning both Nick Richards and EJ Montgomery to the frontcourt next season, and they have added graduate transfer Nate Sestina. If Blackshear were to choose Kentucky, he would easily be the most talented big man of the bunch.
Blackshear averaged 14.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in the ACC last season. He is a veteran forward that can score in a variety of ways around the block, and he is an outstanding defender. Adding him to Kentucky’s roster for next season would change the entire landscape of their potential.
For now, we just sit back and watch Coach Cal work his magic.