Kentucky Basketball: Wildcats add to 2020 class, pursuing Matt Haarms

Graduate transfer Davion Mintz has found his landing spot as he verbally committed to Kentucky Basketball on Friday.

Kentucky Basketball has added to its 2020 recruiting class with a commitment of Creighton grad transfer Davion Mintz on Friday. Mintz announced his decision via Instagram.

“I chose Kentucky because I felt it gave me the biggest platform to show my skillset to lead with and without the ball in my hands,” Mintz told 247Sports Brian Snow. “I want to use my playing experience to help build a winning culture. I feel that Coach Cal and his leadership put me in the best position to play at the next level.”

The 6-3 guard sat out this past season after suffering a high-ankle sprain during the preseason. But he is to be a quality pickup as he started 79 of his 97 games in his three years at Creighton, averaging  9.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.1 steals in 28.8 minutes over 35 games during the 2018-19 campaign.

Mintz is expected to provide the Wildcats with depth at guard at the very least and could even start at the point. As the Wildcats won’t have the services of Tyrese Maxey or Ashton Hagans as they turned pro and Johnny Juzung transferred to UCLA. However, it is believed that Immanuel Quickley could return to Lexington for his junior campaign instead of going to the NBA. If Quickley doesn’t come back, Mintz, along with incoming five-star recruits Devin Askew, Terrence Clark, and BJ Boston, will be charged with manning the Wildcats’ backcourt.

Mintz brings a lot to the table, but perhaps the most important trait will be his experience and leadership, which is something that the Wildcats have consistently lacked due to Calipari having to rebuild the roster seemingly every year. Mintz thrives on the defensive end due to his athleticism and length and can do a little bit of everything on the offensive end.

The Charlotte (NC) native, who had heard from several schools before selecting the Wildcats, is the eighth member in Kentucky’s No. 1 ranked 2020 recruiting class. In addition to the four incoming players mentioned — Mintz, Clark, Boston, and Askew — Calipari also have inked four-star forwards Isaiah Jackson, Lance Ware, and Cam’Ron Fletcher. Five-foot-11 point guard Isaac DeGregorio (Pittsburgh) is also part of the class as a walk-on. However, expect the recruiting class size to grow as Calipari currently has an open scholarship left, and Quickley, as well as EJ Montgomery, may turn pro. It is expected that Nick Richards will turn pro as well. That means the Wildcats could have as many as four scholarships to still dish out st.

If Richards does indeed leave, Calipari already has someone in mind to replace the 6-11 center in massive 7-3 grad transfer Matt Haarms.  Evan Daniels of 247Sports reported that Kentucky was one of at least 25 schools that have reached out to the former Purdue big man. Haarms is expected to cut his list down to 10 schools on April 11.

Haarms is a superb shot-blocker who moves his feet well. Offensively, he works hard to get good position in the low-post and does an excellent job sealing his man when he does get prime position. The Netherlands native is also very good at setting screens and moves well around the perimeter, even possessing the ability to get to the basket off the dribble.

Haarms averaged 8.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and two blocks in 20.5 minutes of action over 29 appearances this past season for the Boilermakers. He produced one double-double and scored in double-figures 12 times, which included a season-high 26 points against Minnesota on Jan 2.