Rapid reaction to Mark Pope being named new Kentucky coach
st johns head coach rick pitino After the former player quickly gained support from the public. Mark Pope He has been named the new head men's basketball coach at the University of Kentucky. Since then, we've heard talk of a home-and-home series being planned between Big East and SEC programs. But before the two met in the hardwoods, a transfer portal recruiting battle broke out between Pope and Pitino.
Big Blue appears to have the upper hand.St. John's University withdrew from the recruiting race just two days after transferring to Drexel. Amari Williams The list was reduced to three schools. Things can happen quickly in college basketball recruiting.
Jeff Goodman reports that it's a two-horse race with Amari Williams.
For Williams, the battle between Kentucky and Mississippi State remains.
The three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year is currently in Lexington, completing his official visit with the Wildcats. On Saturday, Pope took Amari Williams to Keeneland for a day of watching races. Kentucky appears to be in control of this battle, with Williams expected to make the final decision sooner rather than later.
In his final season with the Dragons, Williams averaged 12.2 points on 51.7 percent shooting in 22.9 minutes per game. According to KenPom, Williams ranks among the top 100 in the nation in offensive rebound percentage (65th), defensive rebound percentage (28th), block percentage (39th) and foul percentage (23rd). The five-man is a true defensive center who can anchor defenses and clean the glass on both ends. However, he did not take any 3-point shots and was very efficient in scoring. Williams is a productive paint scorer and is definitely a starter in a high-level power conference.
Former BYU signee colin chandler and Kentucky Mr. Basketball travis perry He is the only scholarship player on Kentucky's roster. Could Amari Williams join them? The Cats seem to be doing very well in recruiting for this portal.