4-star SF Jahki Howard cuts list to eight, includes Kentucky

Kentucky remains in the running for Overtime Elite four-star small forward Jahki Howard — by definition, at least.

The 6-foot-6, 175-pound junior cut his list down to eight schools — Kentucky, Auburn, Kansas, Florida State, Texas, Arkansas, Georgia Tech, and Georgetown are the finalists — with a commitment date set for November 20.

Kentucky is the only school on Howard’s list that hasn’t extended a scholarship offer.

The four-star prospect, ranked No. 58 overall and No. 17 at his position in the On3 Consensus, has taken an unofficial visit to Georgia Tech in June and has an official scheduled to Georgetown on Oct. 13.

He tells On3’s Joe Tipton he is also considering visits to Auburn, Kentucky, Florida State, Texas, and more.

Ole Miss, Providence, Florida, Arizona State and Georgia, among others, previously extended offers and are no longer in the running.

What does Howard think about his finalists? He sat down with On3 to break several down:

Georgia Tech: “It was amazing. It was an unofficial. I had already been to Tech already to hoop. I might go back on another unofficial since they’re so close. It was a great experience, like watching their practice and it was really intense. It was really good to be able to watch a college practice.”

Kentucky: “You can’t ever go wrong with Kentucky, you know, that’s Big Blue Nation. That’s one of the biggest schools in college right now. Their winners. Coach Cal is a winner. He’s going to make sure you get to the next level. You gotta make sure you work hard. It’s just an amazing school.”

Auburn: That’s to close to the family. Bruce Pearl is a intense guy. That’s the type of person I’m like. I’m like I like to yell. I like to play defense and the energy. He likes to energize and I love that. I love him as a coach.”

Arkansas: “I love coach Muss. That’s my guy. That’s my guy for sure. I recently got the offer. They came to watch me workout and he offered me. We sat on the phone for like 30, 40 minutes just talking. I love his, his energy and the way he just treats people.”

What do you need to know about Howard’s game?

“I’m gritty, a dog, and I’m going to do the things that other people are not going to do,” he told On3. “I’m going to make sure I get 10 rebounds, maybe a couple steals, and for sure a couple blocks. I am not really big on the scoring part and that’s one of the reasons I’m at OTE right now, so I can develop my game and a high level of scoring.

“Other than that, I’m a grinder. Someone that will dive on the floor, guard you 94-feet, talk on defense, be loud, and just win.”

Howard isn’t seen as a top target on Kentucky’s board, but the staff visited Overtime Elite back in September. There, John Calipari, K.T. Turner and Chin Coleman saw Howard, along with Naasir Cunningham and Jayden Williams.

Without a confirmed offer, it’d be a shock for Howard to choose Kentucky, especially this early in the process.