By JOSH NEWMAN
John Petty, Alabama’s reigning Mr. Basketball and a top-10 wing in the Class of 2017, cut his list to five schools early Saturday morning.
The 6-foot-6 Petty, who plays for Huntsville (AL) J.O. Johnson High School and Team Penny on the Nike circuit, is down to Kentucky, Alabama, Kansas, Connecticut and Florida State.
The Wildcats and in-state Crimson Tide are the perceived favorites to land Petty. He is one of 14 players in the Class of 2017 to have a confirmed offer from Kentucky, according to Ben Roberts of the Lexington Herald-Leader. Petty is set to take an official visit to Alabama Aug. 25-26.
“We talk almost every day, we talk consistently so I think they’re pretty hard on me,” Petty said of John Calipari and Kentucky during the Nike Peach Jam. “I talk to Calipari and Kenny Payne.“
“He always just be telling me ‘Great job at the games’ or he always hit me up to see how I’m doing,” Petty said of Crimson Tide head coach Avery Johnson. “It’s like a family thing, just checking up on me.”
Petty’s summer included leading Team Penny to the semifinals at Peach Jam. He was a finalist for the United States Under-18 National Team, but was ultimately cut, along with other five-star prospects Miles Bridges, Kris Wilkes, Lonnie Walker and Brandon McCoy.
Petty also participated in the Nike Skills Academy earlier this month in Los Angeles.
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