Chris Livingston selected No. 58 by the Milwaukee Bucks

VU-187474 — Photo by Dr. Michael Huang | Kentucky Sports Radio

Former Kentucky forward Chris Livingston is an NBA Draft pick — and the destination is a bit of surprise.

The Akron, OH native who views LeBron James as a “mentor” and “real role model” will not be joining the future Hall of Famer in Los Angeles with the Lakers as initially rumored. Instead, Livingston has been selected as the final pick of the draft to the Milwaukee Bucks at No. 58 overall.

It’s a selection that will allow the former five-star recruit to develop and carve out a role on a title contender. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the 6-foot-7 forward received a draft guarantee from Milwaukee two weeks ago and shut down the process immediately after — to the point where Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul called teams in the second round requesting they not select his client.

After finding an NBA fit when shut down two weeks ago, Kentucky freshman Chris Livingston’s landing spot: Milwaukee Bucks at No. 58, sources said. The final pick of the 2023 NBA draft. https://t.co/XzIUpMDlWv
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 23, 2023

Livingston averaged 6.3 points and 4.2 rebounds in 22.4 minutes per contest in his debut season with the Wildcats, shooting 42.9% from the field overall, 30.5% from three and 72.2% at the line. He didn’t register 30 minutes in a game for Kentucky until January 31, with fewer than 25 minutes in 19 of 21 games up to that point. From February 7 on, though, he played at least 32 minutes in 11 straight games to close out the season.

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And in that 11-game stretch, the former five-star hit the double-digit scoring mark five times and registered at least five rebounds on nine occasions. He scored at least three baskets in eight of 11, two double-doubles.

Livingston entered the offseason on the outside looking in of draft boards. As the workout process inched forward, though, the former Wildcat found a potential fit in the second round. And it stuck on draft night, coming off the board with the final pick at No. 58 overall to the Milwaukee Bucks.

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