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Before Kentucky freshman Chris Livingston put his name into the NBA draft, I reached out to Sporting News columnist Mike DeCourcy about his thoughts on what Livingston should do.
DeCourcy’s belief was it would be best for Kentucky and Livingston for him to be back at UK next season.
“It’s a plus for the program to have players like Livingston that are talented enough but there are some questions about and the best thing for him is to clearly play another year in college,” DeCourcy said. “He’s not ready to be an NBA player and the best way to show that is to play like a NBA player next year in college.
“A short NBA career is lucrative but an extended career is like a lottery win. You will make huge money if you are ready to be a NBA player. Chris is not that but he can become that.
“It’s not punitive financially to remain in college another year now, either. He can make money and then go into the NBA through the front door as a first round pick. I could be wrong about him being ready and have been about other players, but I just think it makes more sense if he comes back to Kentucky.”
A few days later Livingston put his name into the draft — something that seemed logical when he signed with Kentucky after being ranked No. 11 by Rivals, No. 12 by ESPN, No. 16 by 247Sports and No. 26 by On3 in his recruiting class.
Reeves played in all 34 games last season with 25 starts but averaged only 6.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. In Kentucky’s final 11 games, the freshman averaged 8.5. points and 6.9 rebounds per game and had his first two double-doubles.
Kentucky has the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class coming in next season but despite what some fans might think, DeCourcy said if Livingston returned to UK he would be a starter.
“There’s no way Chris is worried about people coming in. He is not an idiot,” DeCourcy said. “No one is coming in and beating him out. He’s not getting beat out by a college freshman.
“Even if his ceiling was only the February-March Chris Livingston, there is no guy in high school who will beat him out because he already knows how to play. He is also the most selfless player among the five-star guys they have recruited. Not saying other players are selfish, but he played to win the game and never complained about his role.”
“So anybody who thought he might be worried about who they signed, there is no way that’s true. He is not getting beat out by anybody. He’s too good and is what they need to win. He would not lose his spot ordinates if he comes back.”
Very few, if any, expect Livingston to take his name out of the draft and return to Kentucky. If anything, some feel if he does take his name out of the draft — and that seems unlikely — he would transfer to another school.
“If he comes back, he will be a better player. He would be a more confident shooter. They will run more stuff for him,” DeCourcy said. “I think he is a (NBA draft) lottery level player and I have not seen him projected as a first round pick anywhere. I hate when a first round talent becomes a second round pick.”
Now we’ll just wait and see if that is what happens to Livingston or not.
9 Responses
I guess we will see. Money talks. I definitely would like him back.
Yes he should come back
With the group coming in and the spacing they hopefully can create, I think Livingston could be a lottery pick next year.
Chris should we have no one to field that spot sure hope he does great player love to see him back and with him could see the 9th ncaa flag up
Get real people. Justin Edwards finished at the No. 1 spot in the ESPN rankings and he will demand the starting job at the 3 spot. Wagner will be at point, Dillingham at the 2 spot, Bradshaw at the 4, and Onyenso at the 5. Chris is not ready for the NBA and should transfer to a school where he will get starters minutes at the 3 and be a focal point of the offense instead of being a role player here. Chris got screwed over this year with Calipari insisting on playing his pets…Savir and CJ; that left Chris as the odd man out. If you aren’t a Calipari pet, you will get screwed over coming to Kentucky just like Chris, Onyenso, and Oscar did. We are becoming the next Indiana. Look on the bright side all of you Calipari lovers…it only took Indiana 40 years to become relevant again. Maybe your grandchildren will be able to see Kentucky win No. 9 finally…after Connecticutt, Duke, North Carolina, and UCLA have all racked up double digit National titles.
UCLA already has 11. Just sayin. Go Cats.
You are spot on on your assessment if….calisucki stays. He’s an idiot no doubt. Couldn’t coach a pee wee team to victory hardly, unless they had all the talent. And then it’d still be a nail biter because of his ineptitude. He can’t coach and thats a fact. He sucks at game time, situational coaching. Terrible. Might be the worst in all of college ball, in fact. He’s clueless. He even admits it from time to time, tongue in cheek of course. But, it’s an admission. Poor guy. He’s just hoping to catch lightning in a bottle once more.
He never knows who’s a prime timer between who isn’t even on his own team? Pathetic.
I agree 100% If Chris comes back he’ll be a lottery pick next year. Not to mention that he could be the leader on a talent loaded team heading into championship #9!
What a load of fun you must be to watch games with. Damn man, hate much?