Nov. 12, 2008

Note: Video from today’s press conference at 6 PM EST will be

streamed for free
.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky men’s basketball program received three National Letters of Intent from Jon Hood, Daniel Orton and GJ Vilarino, Coach Billy Gillispie announced on Wednesday.

Jon Hood, a senior at Madisonville North Hopkins, is a 6-6 shooting guard. A native of Madisonville, Ky., Hood averaged 21.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks per game as a junior. He shot 52 percent from the field and 41 percent from behind the three-point line. He also tallied three triple doubles last season on his way to first team All-State honors.

Daniel Orton, a senior at Bishop McGuinness High School, hails from Oklahoma City, Okla. The 6-10 center is a three-time class 4A state champion in Oklahoma and was named the 2008 state tournament MVP. Orton averaged 15.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 6.8 blocks and five assists as a junior en route to first team All-State honors.

Point guard GJ Vilarino, from McKinney, Texas, is currently a senior at McKinney High School. A 2008 first team All-State performer and District MVP, Vilarino averaged 20.5 points and 4.63 assists last season while shooting 48 percent from the field and 78 percent from the free throw line.

The early signing period runs from Nov. 12 through Nov. 19.