Top-ranked junior in the 2019 class, Vernon Carey Jr. is a popular target on the recruiting trail and many of the nations top programs were in Dallas to watch him play in the Nike EYBL over the weekend.
One of those coaches was John Calipari, who is making the Carey Jr. a priority, along with five-star big man James Wiseman. Carey had multiple visits with the UK coaching staff during the spring period and Calipari was scheduled to visit both he and Wiseman last Monday. However, Calipari only visited Wiseman on Monday.
In an interview with Cory Evans of Rivals earlier this weekend, Carey Jr. talked about the schools on his list. He said the following to Evans about Kentucky.
“Coach Payne came down to see me. I think Coach Cal had surgery or something, but he just said that he is really interested in me.”
Now, Calipari visited early in the period on April 7th, but the visit with Payne occurred on April 16th. On the 16th, Calipari and assistant coach Joel Justus were in Memphis to visit Wiseman. Multiple reports had Calipari visiting both Carey Jr. and Wiseman on that Monday.
This is the first I have heard about Calipari having surgery, but him appearing at all the AAU circuits over the weekend means that everything is fine. Calipari’s absence during the second in-home visit means nothing because he is dreaming of a frontcourt that includes Carey Jr. and Wiseman.
According to Chris Fisher of The Cats Pause, Calipari is using the duo of DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis as an example for Carey Jr. and Wiseman. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, as Calipari’s track record with big men has been really good. DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, and Karl-Anthony Towns have all turned into superstars at the next level, and the UK coach believes Carey Jr. has some of Cousins and Davis in his game.
That’s what he discussed with me in the meeting,” Carey Jr. told the Cats Pause. “That I could model my game after both of those two players. He told me to focus on those two.”
Unfortunately, he isn’t getting to see Cousins in the playoffs alongside Davis. That said, the former No. 1 pick dominated the Portland Trail Blazers in the opening round and the longer he’s in the playoffs, it’s a visual example of Calipari’s recruiting pitch.
You can read the full story from Rivals and the Cats Pause at the links below.
Kentucky’s track record with bigs enticing to Vernon Carey
Live Period Dallas Friday: Bluebloods Eye Vernon Carey Jr.
