KSR Today: Cristian Conyer deciding between Kentucky and Tennessee

Good morning, folks! Today is a very big day for the Kentucky football program. Bowling Green’s own Cristian Conyer, a highly-ranked 6-foot-1 cornerback, will announce his college decision at approximately 4:15 p.m. EST. The South Warren High School product is down to just two programs: Kentucky and Tennessee.

Entering the final day of Conyer’s recruitment, we still aren’t entirely sure which way he’s leaning. Crystal Ball and expert picks have been changing with every official visit. He visited UK the weekend of June 17 and then UT the following weekend. Admittedly, the Vols have been trending the last week or so, but it’s not over until the Big Dog says it’s over.

Conyer is considered a three-star recruit and is ranked No. 626 overall by the On3 Consensus. Landing him of his services would be a major win for the ‘Cats, especially against a rival program that wants him just as badly.

#NewHome pic.twitter.com/iTFhOkSTZS

— Cristian Conyer (@ConyerC2) June 30, 2022

Conyer would give Kentucky eight class of 2023 commitments, five of them in-state prospects. This particular recruiting class feels more slow-moving than in previous years, and adding Conyer could be the spark of a hot streak — several top UK targets expect to make their college decision in the coming days and weeks. The likes of Avery Stuart and Anthony Brown, two of the Wildcats’ top overall Big Board recruits, will decide in the next two weeks. Stuart will actually commit on July 6, choosing between UK, Auburn, and Florida State. Current Colorado offensive tackle commit Naquil Betrand is also planning some sort of “big announcement” on July 4.

Let’s hope for a big Yahtzee later today and that some momentum follows.

Kentucky targets showing out in Spain

Team USA is in Spain right now for the FIBA U17 World Cup, which opened the event with a blowout 120-44 victory over Lebanon on Saturday at Palacio de los Deportes Elena Benítez. It was a game in which the team scored 53 points off 34 turnovers while holding the opposition to 25% shooting from the field overall. Kentucky head coach John Calipari and top assistant Orlando Antigua were in attendance to soak it all in — they had plenty of recruiting targets to watch.

2024 five-star guard Ian Jackson, who was a co-leading scorer for the U.S. with 21 points, shot 10-17 from the field in the win. He received a scholarship offer from the Wildcats on day one of the direct contact period with rising juniors back on June 15.

Elsewhere, five-star senior Ronald Holland finished with 16 points and six rebounds, followed by rising sophomore Koa Peat with 11 points and seven rebounds. Five-star senior DJ Wagner finished with 10 points and four steals.

2024 five-star wing Karter Knox, who also received a scholarship offer from Kentucky on June 15, added nine points, four rebounds, and three assists in the win.

What’s next for the red, white and blue? The U.S. will take on Slovenia at 2:45 p.m. ET later today, with the third and final game in the group phase scheduled for Tuesday, July 5 against Mali at 2:45 p.m. ET.

Speaking of top Kentucky basketball targets, you’ve probably seen plenty of content from KSR’s week in Orlando at the NBPA Top 100 Camp. Before the UK staff traveled across the country to Spain, they were down in Florida with us to watch the likes of Reed Sheppard, Aaron Bradshaw, Justin Edwards, and plenty more. In case you missed it, here’s KSR’s final takeaways post from the entire event.

Oh, and you’ll definitely want to read Jack’s latest Insider Notes, too.

BBNBA Summer League action underway

The 2022 NBA Summer League tipped off on Saturday and will consume my television over the next couple of weeks. All 30 teams will participate at some point during summer league, which runs through July 17. Three different locations will make up the event.

Only four teams will participate in what is being dubbed the California Classic Summer League (July 2-5). One former Kentucky Wildcat, Nate Sestina, is suiting up for that event as a member of the Sacramento Kings. Sestina actually played on Saturday, finishing with eight points, four rebounds, and two assists in 18 minutes of action.

.@NateSestina23 threading the needle through the Warriors defense 🏀🧵 pic.twitter.com/4CtuFU9nPY

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) July 2, 2022

Summer league will then travel to Salt Lake City (July 5-7) where four more teams will take the floor. Of those four, Johnny Juzang, a member of the Utah Jazz, is the lone connection to the ‘Cats. The pace will really pick up once the venue shifts to Las Vegas from July 7-17, where all 30 NBA teams will take the floor for the 11-day run. By my count, there are 12 former Wildcats across the 30 Summer League rosters.

Nick Richards – Charlotte Hornets
Ashton Hagans – Cleveland Cavaliers
Kellan Grady – Denver Nuggets
TyTy Washington – Houston Rockets
Isaiah Jackson – Indiana Pacers
Brandon Boston Jr. – Los Angeles Clippers
Mychal Mulder – Miami Heat
Kahlil Whitney – Minnesota Timberwolves
Shaedon Sharpe – Portland Trail Blazers
Nate Sestina – Sacramento Kings
Johnny Juzang – Utah Jazz
Davion Mintz – Washington Wizards

Will Levis is back on TikTok…

And this time he’s aggressively eating pizza by the crust first.

@w.lev The crust is the best part. #pizza ♬ original sound – Will Levis

… Thoughts??

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That’s all the news and notes I have for you this morning. Enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend and avoid any firework mishaps.