Shaedon Sharpe (FIBA Photo)
His recruiting stock continues to rise but that has not changed the college recruiting timetable for 6-4 guard Shaedon Sharpe. He is a major Kentucky recruiting target and is now up to No. 11 nationally in the 2022 recruiting class in the latest rankings from Rivals.com.
It has been a quick rise for Sharpe since leaving Canada two years ago. He played his sophomore season at Sunrise Christian in Kansas where he had a limited role. Last year he transferred to Dream City Christian in Arizona and averaged 25 points, six rebounds, and six assists per game on the Grind Session facing elite talent almost every game.
His offer list includes Kansas, Oregon, Alabama, Illinois, Arizona State, Xavier, and others along with Kentucky.
His basketball mentor, Dwayne Washington, says recruiting is the “last thing” Sharpe thinks about as he works to improve his play. That’s why he has not set any official visits.
“He knows he has pretty much any school he wants. Any school playing at a high level has reached out and is either interested or has offered,” Washington said.
Kentucky already had an “in” with Sharpe because another one of Washington’s players was Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He flourished at UK and is now a legitimate NBA star after spending just one year playing for John Calipari.
“I love John. He is a great person and has a heart bigger than anything,” Washington said. “I talk to him quite a bit. I really respect that guy because of what he did with Shai and everything he says he does, he will do. He is really a good person. I respect him and appreciate him a lot.
“I met John before Shai played there. Our relationship got a lot tighter with things I saw him do for Shai and he helped me get Shai to the level he wanted.”
Sharpe also had an excellent relationship with former UK assistant coach Joel Justus but new UK assistants Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman have been in touch with Sharpe while Jai Lucas is now the main contact for Sharpe at UK.
Some had anticipated Sharpe might reclassify, an idea Washington shot down immediately.
“You can skip or speed up the process,” Washington said. “You have got to refine your game and tools before you go to the next level. You want to take as much time as you need to make sure you are ready to make an impact at the next level.
“He’s athletic, unselfish, and has a very high IQ. He’s really improved his shooting. Our goal is for him to be able to step on a college campus and separate himself with his understanding of the game and his skills.”
Washington says while he trusts Calipari, he knows there is no need to make a hasty college choice, especially with the way the transfer portal is changing college basketball.
“We have time to watch and see what happens. There is no need to rush to make visits or make a decision,” Washington said. “Kentucky is always going to be Kentucky. We just have to stay with our timetable and see what happens.”
