5-Star Center Ugonna Kingsley Sets Decision Date

Monday night the Kentucky basketball team received a commitment from five-star 2023 prospect Justin Edwards. Next Monday the Wildcats could receive another five-star commitment, this time from Ugonna Kingsley.

On3’s Joe Tipton reports Ugonna Kingsley will reveal where he will attend college Monday, Aug. 1. The talented big man previously took official visits to official visits to Kentucky and Oklahoma State. He is expected to be in Norman as we speak for an official visit to Oklahoma.

Kingsley was the No. 18 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. However, last week we learned Kingsley will reclassify to the 2022 recruiting class. 247 Sports has already adjusted their rankings, placing him at No. 39 in the 2022 class.

Throughout the movement in Kingsley’s recruitment this summer, Kentucky has been the most prominent name surrounding the 6-foot-11 Nigerian shot-blocker. According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, the Wildcats have a better than 97% shot to secure a commitment next week. If he does in fact join John Calipari’s squad for the upcoming 2022-23 season, KSR’s Jack Pilgrim reports the center will not be able make it in time for the team’s summer tour in the Bahamas.

As the Big Blue Nation learned last spring, you can never have too many quality pieces available on the roster. Even though the Cats’ frontcourt is loaded with talent ahead of the 2022-23 season, adding Kingsley to the equation can only be viewed as a net positive. After all, how many would-be high school seniors get to spend everyday practicing against the reigning National Player of the Year?

John Calipari’s coaching staff left the Peach Jam early to ensure Ugonna Kingsley had the best official visit experience possible in Lexington. We’ll learn if that move paid off next week.