4-star '24 PG Tahaad Pettiford reminds John Calipari of De'Aaron Fox

Tahaad Pettiford will very soon have a chance to contend for the position of top rising junior point guard in the country.

The 6-foot-0, 160-pound floor general is a class of 2024 prospect out of Hudson Catholic (NJ) High School who recently announced an offer from Kentucky earlier this month. Pettiford is considered a four-star recruit and the No. 28 overall player in his class, per On3’s ranking system. He’s self-described as a tireless worker who uses lightning-quick speed to leave defenders in his wake. Pettiford makes up for his lack of size through athleticism and sneaking his way to the rim.

“My work ethic,” Pettiford told On3 on Tuesday at the 2022 Nike Peach Jam Invitational about what separates him from other point guards. “I feel like I’m the hardest working player in the gym and every time I step in the gym, I feel like I’m the best in the gym… I also bring great leadership, make sure everybody on my team is happy, everybody is engaged in the game, and nobody is ever felt left out.”

Those are likely some of the reasons why Kentucky head coach John Calipari sees so much of De’Aaron Fox in Pettiford’s game.

“Cal told me he likes the way I play, that I fit the game style,” Pettiford said. “He also said I remind him a lot of De’Aaron Fox, how I get up the floor, my athleticism, and how quick I am.”

Calipari was spot on, too. Pettiford says he mainly models his game after Fox, who played at Kentucky during the 2016-17 season before going No. 5 overall to the Sacramento Kings in the 2017 NBA Draft. Calipari made sure to get his eyes on Pettiford at Peach Jam this past week to watch the comparison live and in person.

Kentucky’s John Calipari, Chin Coleman and KT Turner all in for Tahaad Pettiford and Elliot Cadeau of the NH Lightning

Two of the top guards in 2024

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) July 23, 2022

Pettiford became the seventh ’24 prospect to publicly announce an offer from the Wildcats since the contact period opened up on June 15. Along with UK, he said he’s hearing plenty from the likes of Ole Miss, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, and Ohio State. Additionally, Pettiford intends to visit UCLA in the near future with an official visit to Auburn planned for September.

When asked to explain further why he likes Tennessee so far, Pettiford said he “looks up to” to 5-foot-10 Volunteer point guard Zakai Ziegler and watches a ton of film on former Vol Kennedy Chandler.

But what about Kentucky, in particular, stands out to him? Well, it hits plenty of his boxes. Pettiford said that he’s looking for a “guard school” and one with a big fan base. Check and check for the ‘Cats.

“I really like it. I like their play style. I feel like it’s a good fit for me,” Pettiford said of Kentucky. “Hopefully I get to go visit there, see a practice, see how they are in the practice.”