John Calipari and Davion Mintz comment on commitment to UK

The Kentucky Wildcats have officially added Davion Mintz to the men’s basketball roster, the school announced Wednesday.

“BBN, I am thrilled, humble and hungry to be part of the UK family,” Mintz said in a press release. “I look forward to earning your trust and respect through my commitment, experience and hard work every day. I am immensely thankful to the Kentucky Wildcats, Coach Calipari and his staff for extending me an opportunity to continue my college basketball career as a Wildcat.

“To my new teammates and fans, you can believe and trust in me. I look forward to meeting all of you. I can’t wait to arrive to Big Lex and get to work.”

Mintz, a 6-3 guard who played in 97 games with 79 starts for the Creighton Bluejays, officially signed with UK at the beginning of the spring signing period on Wednesday after verbally committing last week. Mintz is expected to add valuable experience, leadership and depth to what’s projected to be a young but talented squad in 2020-21.

“I’m really excited about Davion and what he adds to our team,” UK head coach John Calipari said in a press release. “You’re talking about a veteran who has been through the wars and has been well-coached from high school through his time at Creighton. Davion wanted this opportunity and challenge. He’s in the mold of so many of our other guys in that he’s a terrific kid from a terrific family.”

Mintz started all 35 games for Creighton in 2018-19, averaging 9.7 points, 3.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 28.8 minutes per game. He was regarded as the Bluejays’ best defender and ranked second on the team with 40 steals.

Expected to make a big leap as a senior, Mintz ended up redshirting in 2019-20 after battling a high ankle sprain in the preseason, then re-aggravated it in practice upon his return, but he started all but one game in the previous two seasons.

In addition, Mintz made the Big East All-Academic Team in 2017-18.