Photo by The Courier-Journal
Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball coach John Calipari has landed his second player for the 2019 recruiting class. Just two days after Tyrese Maxey inked with the Wildcats, in-state prospect Dontaie Allen signed with Kentucky.
Per Rivals.com, Allen is the 54th-ranked player in the 2019 class, ranking 14th at his position. Standing 6’6, 200 lbs, Allen has shined bright throughout his high school career at Pendleton County.
Heading into his senior season, Allen has set the bar high following his average of 31.8 PPG during his junior season. His team is currently ranked 19th in The Courier-Journal’s pre-season rankings. Allen’s also considered to be the favorite to win Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball.
This is Calipari’s first in-state signee since Derek Willis and Dominique Hawkins both signed in 2013.
Per UK Athletics, Calipari had astounding praise for the second member of his 2019 class.
“Dontaie is one of Kentucky’s finest,” Calipari said. “I love Dontaie’s ability to score the ball in different ways. He’s got a lot of skills with the ball in his hands and athleticism to play above the rim,” Calipari said.
Allen is expected to be joined by top-tier recruit Khalil Whitney as another wing at Calipari’s disposal. Both bring forth unique offensive skill sets that should instantly transfer to the collegiate level.
With current UK freshman Keldon Johnson being considered as one of the top-draft choices next spring, both should receive immediate roles on the team.
Whitney’s signature, however, may linger past the early signing period and into the spring.
