Chris Livingston reveals where he fits in at Kentucky

Chris Livingston, On3’s No. 19 player in their 2022 Consensus Top Basketball Recruits, is expected to have an immediate impact next season for Kentucky. The 6-7 forward from Akron, Ohio has an incredibly versatile game for a forward. Livingston can fit at the power forward spot alongside Jacob Toppin and the departure of Keion Brooks Jr. to Washington. When asked about his positional fit for the Wildcats, Livingston provided an interesting answer.

While he said he’ll still play some forward at the three, Livingston said he’ll have some opportunities on the wing as the two guard.

“Small forward or shooting guard. Playing off the ball,” said Livingston. “At this level (I’ll) probably be more so off the ball and on the wing.”

Livingston grew up fairly ball dominant as one of the top prospects in the country. That role shifted to a degree once he transferred to Oak Hill Academy alongside some of the best players in the country. Playing for Kentucky will be similar considering the on-ball talent on the roster.

Livingston says the guards at UK put him in a position to not need the ball in his hands. Sahvir Wheeler, Cason Wallace, CJ Fredrick and Antonio Reeves are all options to handle the ball on the perimeter for Kentucky next season. With them in place, Livingston sees himself more benefitting from their playmaking

“Growing up, I’m really used to being on the ball,” he said. “(I’ll) still be doing things in the pick-and-roll but not really being as much on the ball because of the guards we have.”

Livingston will need to continue to progress as a shooter in order to play the role he’s suggesting. Still, at his size, he has the potential to be a mismatch nightmare with his size and skillset. There are a lot of positions he can slide in during his freshman season in Lexington. By the time the season opens, fans should expect to see him in a stylized, incredibly versatile role for Kentucky.