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Kentucky Basketball: Quade Green becomes Wildcats’ fourth commitment in nine days

By Carmine Carcieri

Mar 28, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kentucky Wildcats mascot prior to the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the finals of the midwest regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kentucky Wildcats mascot prior to the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the finals of the midwest regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
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One of the top point guards in the class of 2017 chose Kentucky basketball over Syracuse.

Before the early signing period began on November 9, John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats had zero class of 2017 commitments.

Related Story: Kentucky adds third commitment in last week

Nine days later, they have reeled in four 2017 recruits, including three that will be joining the team with five stars next to their name.

The latest commitment comes from five-star point guard Quade Green, who chose Kentucky over Syracuse. Green is currently ranked 20th in ESPN’s top 100 for the class of 2017 and is the third best point guard in the nation.

The 6’1″, 170 pound Philadelphia native had hometown schools Villanova and Temple in his final five, but the allure of Kentucky and the relationships he built at Syracuse could not be denied.

Many thought that the Orange were the favorite heading into Saturday’s commitment. Green took multiple visits to the school and Jim Boeheim was in on the point guard even before he blew up this summer. But the desire to play for Calipari and a program that consistently wins and sends players to the NBA was too much to overcome.

And Green is the perfect piece for the ‘Cats.

He is a true point guard, who is unselfish, has terrific vision and is comfortable and confident with the ball in his hands. Green can make plays for himself on the offensive end (he has a solid three point stroke and can attack the basket), but operates best when he successfully balances setting up his teammates and getting his own points. Green also does a terrific job of securing the ball and limiting turnovers.

On the Nike EYBL Circuit this spring and summer, Green was tremendous. He averaged 14.1 points, 10.5 assists (most on the circuit) and 2.8 rebounds. Also, while he’s not going to change a game defensively, averaging 2.9 steals per outing is promising moving forward.

With Isaiah Briscoe, De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk all likely to enter the 2017 NBA Draft, Green will slide in as the team’s starting point guard. Green is not a one-and-done prospect at this point in his development, so the Wildcats could have an unselfish core leader for at least the next two seasons.

Beyond Green, UK has received signed National Letters of Intent from five-star center Nick Richards, five-star power forward P.J. Washington and four-star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Calipari is still in the mix for multiple 2017 high quality talents, including five-star big Mohamed Bamba, the second best point guard in the class, Trae Young, the best point guard in the class, Trevon Duval, five-star small forward Kevin Knox, forward Jarred Vanderbilt and shooting guard Hamidou Diallo.

Green played alongside Bamba with the PSA Cardinals on the AAU circuit, so he will try to recruit the long, athletic big to play with him in Lexington.

Next: Five surprises through the first week of the 2016-17 season

While the SEC could see the rise of Auburn, Mississippi State and Alabama over the next couple of years, Kentucky is still far and away the top team in the league. This 2017 number one recruiting class continues to show that any player Calipari wants, he is capable of getting.

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