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Kentucky, ‘Nova Leading for Gilchrist

By Adam Zagoria on July 07, 2009, 2:18PM

It could turn out to be a two-horse race for Michael Gilchrist, the No. 1 player in the Class of 2011.

“Michael loves Villanova,” Cindy Richardson, Gilchrist’s mother, told the Philly Inquirer. “It’s Kentucky, Villanova. Villanova, Kentucky.”

Gilchrist said two years ago that he wanted to play for Memphis and now that John Calipari has left Memphis for Kentucky, many expect the 6-foot-7 swingman to end up at Kentucky.

Gilchrist’s uncle, William Wesley, known as “Worldwide Wes,” also enjoys a close relationship with Calipari.

Kyrie Irving, Gilchrist’s teammate at Elizabeth (N.J.) St. Patrick, revealed that he and Gilchrist are best friends and sometimes talk about playing college together.

“Me and Mike, we talk about Kentucky mainly,” Irving told me. “Coach Cal, he’s a great coach. And the whole coaching staff when I got to know them at Memphis, I have a great relationship with them. It’s just a top program.”

Villanova coach Jay Wright has also followed Gilchrist closely and was on hand last January when he scored 28 on Oak Hill in a loss at the PrimeTime Shootout in Trenton. Villanova has successfully recruited numerous New Jersey players in recent years, including former St. Patrick star Corey Fisher.

Since Irving is a year older than Gilchrist, it isn’t inconceivable that Gilchrist could follow his best friend to college.

“I’m looking for a school that has a fast-paced transition game,” Gilchrist told the Inquirer. “I just want to be with my friends. . . . I want a friend to come with me to school.”

Gilchrist has been contacted by a slew of programs since college coaches were permitted to call on June 15.

Kentucky, Rutgers, Louisiana State, North Carolina, Duke, Oklahoma State, Seton Hall, Florida, Florida State, Oregon, Indiana, West Virginia, Maryland, Georgia Tech, Southern Cal, and Connecticut have all been in contact, according to the Inquirer.

“It’s wide open,” Gilchrist said. “I want to be recruited heavily.”

Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter.

(Photo courtesy Philly Inquirer)

206 Comments

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  1. Big Ben
    July 11, 2009, 10:18AM at 10:18 am #

    Finally, pastaboy admits that Calipari has done very little of note at this point in his career.

  2. sgreene25
    July 11, 2009, 11:26AM at 11:26 am #

    pastaboy I provided the link you want, earlier you said show me the link that said Memphs couldn’t recruit Negedu. The article said, Memphis couldn’t recruit him any longer what part of that don’t you get! OMG! HAHAHAHAH

  3. sgreene25
    July 11, 2009, 11:27AM at 11:27 am #

    Yes he realizes, “has been found out” and then appeals to the future! Oh good one pasta

  4. pastaboy
    July 11, 2009, 5:32PM at 5:32 pm #

    the future is now bozos ….Big Blue Tsunami headed your way

  5. AAUMtownMagic
    July 11, 2009, 6:00PM at 6:00 pm #

    Look Pasta everybody knows that Cali is not a good coach Everybody

    http://bareknucks.com/memphis-tigers-walk-into-phoenix-as-tigers-leave-as-pussycats

  6. theruckus33
    July 13, 2009, 10:02AM at 10:02 am #

    I think when pastaboy goes out with a line like, “the future is now bozos ….Big Blue Tsunami headed your way” he has basically admitted defeat. I feel so, so, so satisfied as to have worn him out to that point.

    Sooner or later we all knew he would slit his throat in skewed facts, red herrings, and contradictions, its just great to see he has finally been exasperated. The poor guy is getting some rest in his parents basement after a binge of Mr. Pib, and cheetos to help nurture his wounded ego after the blasting he received last week!

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