Cason Wallace, Chris Livington getting to know each other in Chicago

Before Cason Wallace and Chris Livingston can team up together in Lexington, they’ll first have to battle head-to-head in the Windy City.

On Tuesday night, the pair of future Kentucky Wildcats will go up against each other in the 2022 McDonald’s All-American Game, scheduled for 9:00 p.m. EST on ESPN. Wallace will suit up for the East Team with Livingston on the West Team after they earned recognition as two of the country’s premier high school seniors. The game will provide Kentucky fans an inside look at the incoming freshmen, who are both considered five-star prospects and top 10 players in the class of 2022.

But not only that, it’ll provide the players themselves with the opportunity to get to know each other. The two had never met in person before linking up in Chicago for the McDonald’s All-American event. They scrimmaged against each other on Sunday for the first time, where they got a live look at what they’ll be playing next to once they get to UK. Livingston was quick to point out Wallace’s floater skills while praising his efforts on the other end of the floor.

“He’s a good person, great basketball player. Real physical, really strong guard,” Livingston said of Wallace on Monday. “He loves to shoot floaters; it’s kinda automatic and that’s what Coach (John) Cal(ipari) loves and tells us to shoot a lot. He’s gonna be good in that aspect. He can shoot it, he plays great, tremendous defense, and he’s a good athlete. Kentucky fans and the coaches are definitely gonna be excited about having Cason next year too.”

The two haven’t talked much about the future just yet, though. Instead, they’ve been trying to get to know each other on a personal level first. They’ll have plenty of time to discuss their college goals together over the next few months, both on and off the court. Wallace and Livingston were both tabbed to the Jordan Brand Classic set for April 15, where the two will play as teammates in that All-Star event. Additionally, they’ll also participate in the Iverson Classic together, which is scheduled for the end of April.

“I’ve really just been gelling with him and just getting to know him because this is the first time I’ve met him in person,” Livingston said of Wallace. “So just having fun, not really worrying about what’s going to happen at Kentucky and things like that.”

Wallace said that he and Livingston talked a little trash to each other during the scrimmage. He describes both himself and Livingston as “dogs”, a mentality that breeds good competitive nature. That approach should do them plenty of favors in the upcoming All-Star events, and ultimately at Kentucky.

“As a person, he’s a cool dude,” Wallace said of Livingston on Monday. “We’ve been talking a little trash since we got here but we know we’re gonna have to team up in the future so seeing his game, having to guard him yesterday in the scrimmage, it was pretty cool. But I’m ready to get to that dog mentality. We both dogs on the court so being able to play alongside with him, it’ll be a good experience.”