Three Kentucky MBB Signees to Play in Jordan Brand Classic

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Part of the Kentucky men’s basketball incoming signing class will be on the national stage for the third straight week at Friday night’s Jordan Brand Classic.

UK signees Quade Green, Nick Richards and P.J. Washington will suit up in the Jordan Brand Classic at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The annual game, which features some of the best high school talent in the country, tips at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.

Kentucky can only publicize prospects who have signed a national letter of intent or a financial aid agreement. 

UK leads all school with three signees in the game. UK has had multiple players compete in every Jordan Brand Classic during the John Calipari era, including six in 2013.

Since Calipari’s arrival, 33 total players have been selected to the Jordan Brand Classic game, including: Bam Adebayo (2016), Devin Booker (2014), Isaiah Briscoe (2015), DeMarcus Cousins (2009), Anthony Davis (2011), De’Aaron Fox (2016), Wenyen Gabriel (2016), Green (2017), Archie Goodwin (2012), Aaron Harrison (2013), Andrew Harrison (2013), Dakari Johnson (2013), Terrence Jones (2010), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (2011), Brandon Knight (2010), Skal Labissiere (2015), Doron Lamb (2010), Marcus Lee (2013), Trey Lyles (2014), Charles Matthews (2015), Malik Monk (2016), Nerlens Noel (2012), Daniel Orton (2009), Alex Poythress (2012), Julius Randle (2013), Richards (2017), Marquis Teague (2011), Karl-Anthony Towns (2014), Tyler Ulis (2014), John Wall (2009), Washington (2017), Kyle Wiltjer (2011) and James Young (2013).

Green, Richards and Washington all played in the McDonald’s All American Game in Chicago last month. Green scored nine points, grabbed five rebounds and passed out a game-high tying seven assists. Richards posted two points, four rebounds and two blocks in 14 minutes. Washington finished with seven points on 3-of-5 shooting, five rebounds and three steals in 15 minutes.

Green and Richards were selected to play in last week’s Nike Hoop Summit, alongside UK signee Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Green didn’t play because of a head injury. Richards started for the World Team and finished with 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting and three rebounds. Gilgeous-Alexander had 11 points and two assists.

Green is considered a five-star point guard prospect by Rivals, ESPN and Scout. Rivals ranks him as high as the No. 21 overall prospect, ESPN ranks him No. 22, Scout tabs him at No. 24 and 247Sports has him ranked at No. 27. Green just closed out a prolific high school career that saw him capture four state championships, including a 22-point, eight-assist and two-steal performance on March 23 to lift Neumann-Goretti to the title. Green, who was named the 2016 Pennsylvania Class 3A Player of the Year as a junior, was a part of the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship team that won a gold medal in Chile. He averaged 20.8 points and 8.0 assists in leading Neumann-Goretti High School in his senior season.

 

Richards will be the second player in the Calipari era to join Kentucky out of the Patrick School in Elizabeth, New Jersey. National champion and No. 2 overall NBA Draft selection, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was the other. Richards is ranked in the top 20 by the major recruiting services, including ESPN (No. 11), 247 Sports (No. 12), Rivals (No. 16) and Scout (No. 16). 247Sports tabs him as the second-best center in the class. He’s a consensus five-star prospect. Richards joined fellow UK players Karl-Anthony Towns and Isaiah Briscoe as other high school stars to lead their teams to the New Jersey Tournament of Champions when he led The Patrick School to a 64-45 win. Richards scored 24 points and had 12 rebounds in the win. 

 

Washington, measured at 6-8, 229 pounds, is rated as high as No. 13 overall in the rankings by Scout, while ESPN and Rivals have him at No. 14 and 247Sports has him at No. 15. The five-star prospect is considered the top power forward in the class by Scout. Washington was a member of the 2016 USA Men’s U18 National Team that won a gold medal at the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship over the summer. He started all five games and averaged 10.0 points and 4.0 rebounds. Washington also represented the U.S. at the 2015 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Championship.

Washington (second team) and Green (third team) along with Gilgeous-Alexander (third team) were named to the All-USA Boys Basketball Team last month.