The latest on N’Faly Dante

Even with Nick Richards and EJ Montgomery returning to Kentucky, and Nate Sestina transferring from Bucknell to the Wildcats’ frontcourt, many believe John Calipari will look to add one more body to the rotation.

While Virginia Tech transfer Kerry Blackshear is option No. 1 at this point, he is not the only option.

Throughout the spring, the idea of a reclassification by N’Faly Dante to 2019 has continued to gain steam. He is a 6-11 center with a 7-5 wingspan and the ability to own the paint defensively. Dante was one of the first 2020 targets to land an offer from Kentucky, and they have clearly made him a priority.

But when would Calipari like to see him come to Lexington? According to Corey Evans of Rivals, Dante may be going to college in 2019 regardless of whether or not Kentucky is an option.

“They’re trying to do it,” Evans told the Herald-Leader about Dante’s family pursuing reclassification. “I think it’s going to be more about getting the academics in line and getting the test score in line, rather than, ‘Is it time to go?’ Because, it’s time to go. What he’s doing now from an offensive perspective, it’s all there. And he’s already a dominant defender, as we know. If he can get the grades, it’s going to be done, I think.”

Evans believes that the Kentucky Wildcats, Kansas Jayhawks, LSU Tigers, Michigan State Spartans, and Oregon Ducks are potential suitors for Dante in 2019. He has also been hearing that LSU and Oregon may currently be in the lead.

That could certainly change once the final decision is made about Dante’s future. For Kentucky’s sake, Big Blue Nation should hope that the Blackshear situation is resolved before Dante is ready to commit. You do not want a pending Blackshear recruitment to cause your program to potentially lose out on both guys.

If John Calipari had to choose, I have to believe he would take Blackshear in a heartbeat. But if that does not work out, Dante is a great option for a guy to come in and made an impact immediately and compete for minutes.

Check out everything that Corey Evans told the Herald-Leader about Dante’s recruitment here.