Shaedon Sharpe, the potential No. 1 in the 2022 ESPN class, has committed to Kentucky announced Tuesday.
“It was a tough decision, but I felt they had a clear plan for me as I work to play at the highest level,” Sharpe told ESPN. “Coach Cal took the time to understand who I was as a person and how to get the best out of me. Kentucky felt right at home. I have a feeling I can grow to reach my potential on and off the court. in Kentucky given the platform, the atmosphere and the legacy. “
Sharpe chose from a group that also included the G League Ignite, Arizona, Kansas and the state of Oklahoma.
It is the first engagement between Kentucky’s top five since Bam Adebayo in 2016 and the first No. 1 prospect John Calipari has recruited since Nerlens Noel in 2012.
Calipari has had 43 players recruited in his 12 seasons in Kentucky, including 32 first-team players and 21 lottery selections, which Sharpe said played an important role in his decision to commit to the school.
“Coach Cal’s track record in NBA player development had a big impact on my decision,” Sharpe said. “I can see that he does a great job working with athletes of my position and style of play and getting them to be the best versions of themselves. His experience is an important part of why I chose the UK, but he believing in the vision and goals he had for me as well. “
And I do hair in Kentucky Blue 😼🔵⚪️ COMMITMENTS! @KentuckyMBB #bbn #mytoolbox pic.twitter.com/YedAGBFyhq
– Shaedon Sharpe (@ShaedonSharpe) September 7, 2021
Sharpe rose dramatically from unclassified recruiting a year ago to the possibility of being the top basketball prospect in high school, especially when Emoni Bates and Jalen Duren announced they had chosen to move on to the 2021 class and enroll in Memphis a year earlier.
The Canadian-born goalkeeper averaged 22.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 28 minutes over 12 games at the EYBL in July, leading the event in points scored and finishing between the top five in triples. It combines a prototypical frame with an elite grip and explosive finishing capability, appearing regularly with dunks, blocks, and roller-caliber recoils.
“The plan proposed by my coach, Dwayne Washington, was always to get to the maximum at the right time, stay in the background, develop, develop, eliminate distractions, and then act when it’s time. “That said, I would attribute the increase in rating by relying on the process of development, transparency and hard work,” Sharpe said. “Also, playing the correct Circuit [Nike EYBL] and a high school team where my coaches were able to position me in the right position and around the right teammates where I can be best used. My development on and off the track with Washington was the key factor in building the skills and mindset needed to be at my best. I think Coach Cal will be able to help me in ways similar to what my club and high school coaches did. “
Sharpe will play his senior year with Kyle Weaver at Dream City Christian in Glendale, Arizona, who will play a national lineup with several high-profile showcases, including games at the Hoophall Classic, the Grind Session and more.
Sharpe joins Skyy Clark, the No. 16 prospect of ESPN 100, in the Kentucky recruiting class in 2022. The team will likely have several remnants of a first 10 preseason team that is one of the teams more veterans than Calipari has gathered in his time in Kentucky, which was built in a small part from the NCAA transfer portal.
Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private analysis and exploration service used by international NBA, NCAA teams.