By LARRY VAUGHT
Look for Kentucky coach John Calipari to make a quick exit from Rupp Arena after Saturday afternoon’s game against Harvard so he can fly to western Kentucky for the Marshall County Hoopfest.
Lexington Catholic — featuring Zan Payne, the son of UK assistant coach Kenny Payne — faces Marshall County at 5:15 p.m. CST Saturday. But the next game set for 6:45 features Adair County and talented freshman point guard Zion Harmon — who has made an unofficial visit to UK — against Olive Branch (MS.) and talented junior forward D.J. Jeffries.
The 6-8 Jeffries is a top 10 player in the 2018 recruiting class with offers from Kentucky, Florida, Kansas and a lot more schools because of his versatility.
The nightcap features Oak Hill (VA) Academy and UK signee Keldon Johnson against Tennessee Prep. Calipari obviously will want to see Johnson play but he also might be in Marshall County to take a look at 6-8 junior point guard Antavion Collum.
The Tennessee Prep standout has heard from UK but has no scholarship offer. However, he does have offers from Florida, Vanderbilt, Maryland, Memphis, Kansas State, Bradley, Ole Miss, Murray, Middle Tennessee, Missouri and Pittsburgh. He has an excellent midrange game and could be one of the rising stars in the 2018 recruiting class.
My guess is Calipari will stay to watch Memphis East junior James Wiseman play Sunday afternoon against Aspire Academy of Louisville. The 6-9 Wiseman is a major UK recruiting target — Calipari visited him earlier this week — and is considered the top player in the 2019 recruiting class by many.