Chris Livingston compares himself to several NBA stars, reveals origin of jersey number

Chris Livingston is coming to Kentucky with a ton of hype, and the NBA comparisons are already starting.

However, the best person to listen to about possible comparisons is none other than Livingston himself. Speaking with the media, the five-star recruit revealed which NBA stars he believes he’s comparable to.

“A lot of people say Jaylen Brown,” began Livingston. “Or Paul George. Players like that. Wings that are skilled that play hard, play both sides of the ball. Things like that. Paul George is the reason I wear No. 24. So, he’s a player that I’ve looked up to since I was a kid. I think people like that.”

As you can see, Paul George made a huge impact on Livingston growing up, as the Kentucky star recruit chose his jersey number after the former Pacers and current Clippers star. Continuing, Livingston explained why he was drawn to George.

“His athleticism, and how exciting he was to watch,” explained Livingston. “You know as a kid, like it was first Derrick Rose, then it became Paul George. I just fall in love with athletic players that get up and down the floor and make plays, you know what I’m saying? Like a lot of other fans do.”

Chris Livingston is coming to Kentucky with some huge hype behind him. He doesn’t have to be Paul George or Jaylen Brown — if he develops into the player he has the potential to be, the sky is the limit.

Kentucky forward Daimion Collins addresses end to last season, how he’s ‘hungrier’ because of it

Last season ended in colossal disappointment for the Kentucky basketball program. Despite being a two-seed in the NCAA Tournament, the Wildcats crashed out and were sent home by Saint Peter’s during the Round of 64. Even a few months later, big man Daimion Collins is still unhappy with the result and is looking for vengeance.

Collins said Kentucky will “most definitely” try to prove last season’s loss to Saint Peter’s was a fluke. Looking around the team, Collins thinks everybody involved with the program is motivated and ready to make a run at a national championship.

“Just seeing how some of my teammates last year said how hard they’re working, you just see it,” Collins said. “You can just see it around the locker how much hungrier they are. Definitely going to take that into advantage, you know. Come in this year, work hard, play hard. Try to win a national championship.”

Sometimes early in the NCAA Tournament, it’s easy to underestimate your opponents — especially as a two-seed. Kentucky had been battling SEC teams all season, going up against some of the best in the country.

Collins said that was not the case during their first-round matchup. Kentucky viewed Saint Peter’s the same way as every other opponent. At the end of the day, they just got outworked and beat by the Peacocks.

“We didn’t take nobody as understated,” Collins said. “We went into every game the same way. That night just didn’t play out (well) for us. Whatever happened, that’s what happened. But you know, we’re just going to let it be. We’re going to come back, work hard, and just play hard.”