How did Kentucky’s signees do in the McDonald’s Game? And the top UK recruiting links.
Two basketball recruits expected to play major roles for the Kentucky Wildcats next season were on the national stage Tuesday night, competing in the annual McDonald’s All-American Game in Chicago.
In the end, it was Chris Livingston and the East team defeating Cason Wallace and the West with a 105-81 victory. Both Kentucky signees started for their respective teams, and both players earned praise from the ESPN announcers during the course of the game.
ESPN recruiting analyst Paul Biancardi singled out Livingston — a 6-foot-6 wing — for his effort. “He just plays hard all the time,” Biancardi said, adding later that he thinks Livingston could play the point forward role at Kentucky, pointing to his versatility with the ball in his hands, along with that hard-working style. “He brings the energy,” he said. “He reminds me in many ways of a poor man’s Jimmy Butler.”
Livingston had 13 points, six rebounds and five assists, going 2-for-4 from three-point range for the East team. He was just 1-for-7 from the free-throw line, but the UK signee was a 70-percent shooter at Oak Hill Academy this season, so there’s probably not much for Kentucky fans to worry about there.
Wallace — a 6-4 combo guard — was a tad out of his element in the all-star game atmosphere. The Texas native is known as a team-oriented player on both sides of the ball, and that style of play often isn’t conducive to the individual efforts that seem to dominate all-star events. Still, Wallace flashed his offensive ability (and unselfishness) on and off the ball. He finished with seven points, five rebounds and a team-high six assists. ESPN announcer Cory Alexander — a former McDonald’s All-American himself — said Wallace showed great leadership throughout McDonald’s Game week, also praising him for an ability to always make the right play.
Duke signee Dariq Whitehead, who is ranked No. 1 overall by Rivals.com, had 13 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the East team, earning McDonald’s All-American MVP honors for the effort.
Top Kentucky basketball recruiting links
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247Sports: Chris Livingston a standout on McDonald’s East team
Rivals.com: UK a team that should be happy with McDs recruits
McDonald’s takeaways: CBS likes defense of Livingston & Wallace
SI: Five locks for the McDonald’s All-American Game in 2023
How this year’s Final Four players ranked as high school recruits
John Clay: Most important part of UK’s 2022-23 season has begun
Potential transfer fits for possible Kentucky target Andre Curbelo
SEC news: Murray State PG Justice Hill is following coach to LSU
No mention of UK in latest update on 2023 star Ja’Kobe Walter
Five-star David Castillo is a shooting guard to watch in 2024 class
Shaquille O’Neal’s son is leaving LSU via the transfer portal
More Next Cats links: Keeping tabs on Kentucky’s newest targets
This story was originally published March 30, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
