Five-star guard Trent calls UK 'NBA University'

INDIANAPOLIS – While Kentucky is not considered the early leader for Gary Trent Jr., that didn’t stop the five-star 2017 shooting guard from giving the Wildcats a ringing endorsement to other prospects on Friday night.

“It’s really NBA University,” Trent said after UK coach John Calipari and assistant Kenny Payne watched his game at the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League event in Indianapolis. “It preps you. Everything there looks like an NBA facility. Calipari runs everything like it’s the NBA. So really, if that’s your goal, that’s the place.”

Trent, rated the No. 2 shooting guard and No. 16 overall prospect in his class, visited Kentucky last fall and “loved it,” he said. “The facility was nice. The stadium was rocking. It was packed.”

It will be again the next time he comes to Rupp Arena. He’s scheduled to visit for Big Blue Madness in October. Trent said Friday that UK, Duke, Michigan State, UCLA and Arizona are currently recruiting him the hardest, although the Blue Devils look like early favorites.

Kyle Tucker can be reached at (502) 582-4361. Email him atktucker@courier-journal.com.