LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky men’s basketball signees Chris Livingston and Cason Wallace were selected for the 2022 Jordan Brand Classic which will be held April 15 in Chicago.
The event had been canceled each of the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but action will resume from the United Center this season beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
UK has had multiple players selected every year to compete in the Jordan Brand Classic during the John Calipari era, including six in 2013. Since Calipari’s arrival, 49 total Kentucky signees have been selected for the game. That mark is the best the country.
Livingston and Wallace were both also named the Gatorade High School Player of the Year in their respective states. Livingston captured the honor in Virginia, while Wallace represented Texas. Livingston is one of three finalists for the 2021-22 Gatorade National Boys Basketball Player of the year.
A native of Akron, Ohio, Livingston has suited up for Oak Hill Academy in Virginia for his senior season. He averaged 18.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.9 steals per game this season. Wallace posted 19.9 points, 7.4 boards and 6.1 assists per game for Richardson High School in Dallas. He was a semifinalist for the Naismith Trophy High School Player of the Year.
UK’s signees were also tabbed to the McDonald’s All American Game which is set to take place March 29 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The game will air live at 9 p.m. ET and be broadcast by ESPN.
Chris Livingston
Position: Small forward
Measurables: 6-7, 210 pounds
School: Oak Hill Academy (Va.)
Hometown: Akron, Ohio
Rivals ranking: No. 10 overall | Five-star prospect | No. 2 at SF
247Sports ranking: No. 7 overall | Five-star prospect | No. 2 at SF
ESPN ranking: No. 12 overall | Five-star prospect | No. 6 at SF
Stats: 18.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.9 steals per game during his senior season. He averaged 31.1 points, 15.8 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 4.7 steals and 4.0 blocks for Buchtel High School in Akron, Ohio, in 2020-21 as a junior
Notable: 2022 Gatorade Virginia Player of the Year | 2021 Gatorade Ohio Player of the Year and MaxPreps Junior All-America First Team | Named MVP of the 2019 FIBA Americans U16 Championship after leading Team USA to a gold medal while averaging 14.8 points and 8.0 rebounds | Transferred to Oak Hill Academy in Virginia after his junior season
Why Kentucky: “I chose to come to Kentucky to become the best version of myself on and off the court.”
Coach Cal: “Chris has everything that you look for in a wing: athleticism, speed, skill and a physicality to him. He can play and guard multiple positions and he can score the ball at all levels, but he can also impose himself physically on both ends of the floor. Chris can really be a challenge for opposing defenses.”
Cason Wallace
Position: Combo guard
Measurables: 6-4, 190 pounds
School: Richardson High School
Hometown: Dallas
Rivals ranking: No. 5 overall | Five-star prospect | No. 1 at shooting guard
247Sports ranking: No. 6 overall | Five-star prospect | No. 2 at combo guard
ESPN ranking: No. 14 overall | Five-star prospect | No. 1 at point guard
Stats: 19.9 points, 7.4 boards and 6.1 assists per game as a senior. He averaged 15.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.3 steals in the 2021 Nike EYBL. He shot 51.2% from the field and 37% from 3-point range.
Notable: Led the NBPA Top 100 Camp in assists (5.0) and steals (3.0) per game while posting 10.3 points and 4.3 rebounds | 2022 Texas Gatorade Player of the Year | Dallas Morning News 2021-22 Player of the Year | A member of the student-athlete leadership team at Richardson and has volunteered locally as a youth tutor and basketball coach
Why Kentucky: “I chose Kentucky because Coach Cal has shown the ability to get players like me to where I want to go with hard work. I understand that it will be hard and I wanted to bet on myself.“
Coach Cal: “Cason is a winner and a competitor who reminds me of Eric Bledsoe and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. I don’t like to make a lot of comparisons like that, but he has a quiet demeanor with a game that speaks loudly. He can shoot it and create for his teammates, but what really separates him is his defense. He is already an elite on-ball defender who takes a lot of pride in that part of the game.”
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Chris Livingston and Cason Wallace will represent the Wildcats at the annual game