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Recruiting expert thinks UK gets 1 of Skyy Clark/Hunter Sallis

It’s Wildcats vs. Tar Heels for these elite recruits.

Drew Brown - Sea of Blue

With the fall signing period now two months away, the Kentucky Wildcats are still working on adding to their one-man 2021 class.

Currently, four-star guard Nolan Hickman is Kentucky’s lone pledge in 2021 or 2022. He’s also viewed as a multi-year prospect who might not be ready for a starting role as a freshman, a la Immanuel Quickley.

One recruit who looks more likely to be one and done is 2022 guard Skyy Clark. The five-star recruit from Tennessee is currently ranked 13th nationally by 247 Sports and is someone Kentucky is firmly in the mix for. And while he’s still a 2022 recruit, there’s still a very real chance he reclassifies into 2021.

Over the summer, Rivals recruiting expert Corey Evans had some strong praise for Clark, who he believes is the best point guard in all of high school basketball.

“I think Clark is the best PG in high school basketball, honestly,” Evans said, adding, “Clark is special in every which way. He is going to Brentwood Academy and I actually like him more than (Brentwood alum and 2019 No. 5 overall pick) Darius Garland.”

Speaking of Evans, he recently made news by changing his rivals FutureCast prediction from Kentucky to North Carolina for Clark. As heavily favored as Kentucky has been viewed in this recruitment, that came as quite the shock from one of the top recruiting experts.

Now, we’re getting clarity on why the pick was flipped and what Kentucky’s outlook looks like for 2021 in terms of its next point guard.

By now, you probably know all about Hunter Sallis, a five-star Class of 2021 point guard who has an offer from Kentucky, who is now seen as one of, if not the favorite for 247’s sixth-ranked recruit.

As it turns out, it may be a Sallis or Clark situation for Kentucky in 2021. And whoever the Wildcats don’t land may end up at North Carolina, who is firmly in the mix for both guards.

In an interview with Go Big Blue Country, Evans said he thinks Clark will reclassify into 2021. He also predicted Kentucky would get one of Clark/Sallis, and the other will end up at North Carolina.

“I would be surprised if he does not,” Evans said of Clark’s reclassification decision. “He has openly discussed not going 2021, but that kid does not need high school basketball for two more years. He is pound-for-pound in the conversation for best point guard in high school basketball. His maturity, talent, size, he could play in a Division I basketball game tomorrow.

“Hunter Sallis has not moved as fast as I thought he would with a Kentucky offer, and I’m sure Kentucky fans feel the same way. But Hunter and his family have been adamant about seeing the process through. I just think in the end run we’ll see Carolina get one or the other and Kentucky get one or the other.”

I’m sure John Calipari would love to get both guards, especially if Devin Askew ends up being a one and done. Both Sallis and Clark can be very effective playing off the ball. But as is the case with most elite point guards, they both probably want to go somewhere they’ll be running the show.

While it remains to be seen which guard Kentucky will ultimately land, it is nice to know they have a good shot at getting one of them.

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