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Will John Calipari Look to Keep the Canadian Pipeline Open?

Photo | @CanadianBallers

 

By now, you know the names that John Calipari has targeted for the 2019 recruiting class.

 

In addition to commitments from D.J. Jeffries and Ashton Hagans, John Calipari is actively pursuing James Wiseman, Tyrese Maxey, Jalen Lecque, Scottie Lewis, Bryan Antione, Vernon Carey Jr., Matthew Hurt, and Keion Brooks. All eight players have confirmed offers from Kentucky.

 

Those are the players that Calipari has extended offers to but there is always someone else that the UK head coach has on his radar. One recruit that has had previous interest from Kentucky is top 2019 Canadian prospect, A.J. Lawson.



 

Lawson, a 6-foot-7 combo guard from Ontario, Canada, unofficially visited Kentucky for the Wildcats game vs. Virginia Tech back in December, but since then, things have been relatively quiet. He’s talented enough that Calipari could lock in on him over the summer. As for the experience of his visit, he spoke with North Pole Hoops about it in December.

 

“My trip to UK was an amazing experience because not only was it my first unofficial visit but it was my first time watching a big college game in person. It was amazing seeing the atmosphere and while I was watching the game vs Virginia Tech, I kept picturing myself playing in a big arena and doing work. It was fun watching the players practice and seeing how hard they go. Their practice gym is right beside the player dorms and I like that it’s so close. I also really liked their facilities. Overall, it was a good experience and I enjoyed my time there.”

 

Lawson doesn’t have an offer from Kentucky but he has collected plenty of Division I offers. Oregon, Vanderbilt, Tulane, Creighton, Baylor, Maryland, SMU, and New Mexico have all extended offers.



 

The fact that he’s already unofficially visited Kentucky shows they are interested and there’s a connection that could help UK. Lawson plays on the Nike EYBL AAU circuit where he is teammates with Thomasi Gilgeous-Alexander, the younger brother of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

 

The younger Gilgeous-Alexander just recently picked up an offer from New Mexico State. While Lawson was on his unofficial to UK, SGA spent time with him while he was on campus. Calipari has had success dipping into Canada, as he has landed Canadians Kyle Wiltjer, Trey Lyles, Jamal Murray, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander since being at Kentucky.

 

With Lawson playing on the EYBL circuit again this summer, the UK staff will have plenty of opportunities to watch him play. Calipari will likely miss this weekends session in Indianapolis after having a minor surgery procedure, but someone from Kentucky will be in attendance. I plan to watch Lawson on Friday and Saturday to check in with him about Kentucky’s interest.

 



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