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Kentucky Basketball Takes a Look at the World’s Tallest Teenager

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Olivier Rioux is the world's tallest teenager according to the Guinness Book of World Records. He is being recruiting by the Kentucky Wildcats.
Guinness World Records

The Class of 2024 will be an interesting one for Kentucky. Already known to be one of the weaker classes in recent memory, the Wildcats have only prioritized select targets in the class and will likely look at the transfer portal and reclassifications to fill out the roster.

However, that does not mean the staff isn’t still looking for talent within the 2024 class. In fact, Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman decided to take a trip to Memphis for the NCAA College Basketball Academies and took an interest in a certain player who has a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Olivier Rioux is his name, a 7-foot-6, 200-pound 2024 prospect from Canada playing for IMG Academy (FL). Kentucky was in to watch Rioux but it is unknown at this moment the amount of interest Kentucky has in the World Record Holder for being the tallest teenager.

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Rioux is an insane rim runner for his size, grabbing rebounds on both sides and being a consistent rim protector, blocking shots at the rim. While listed as only a three-star prospect, the Canadian shows a lot of potential.

The big man played for Canada’s U19 team this past season but only amounted 31 total minutes over five games, averaging 3.2 points and 3.4 rebounds a game. While this isn’t something to raise eyebrows about, Rioux connected on 7 of his 8 shots making it a very efficient summer on the offensive side of the ball.

While those stats don’t jump off the chart, Kentucky sees something in the rising Senior or they wouldn’t have sent 2 top assistants to watch him play. It will be interesting to see how the recruitment of Rioux progresses over the next year and see whether or not Kentucky will give some more interest to the kid.

While Rioux would be more of a project player like John Calipari called Ugo Onyenso before the start of last season, it’s always good to trust Cal with these types of players because he is always able to make something out of them.

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BB Recruiting

Wake Forest Transfer Andrew Carr Commits to Kentucky

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Wake Forest transfer Andrew Carr has committed to play for Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats.
David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

After finalizing all but one member of the staff last week, including the official announcements of top recruiters Alvin Brooks and Jason Hart, the Kentucky Wildcats have received their third commitment in as many days.

“BOOM!” Kentucky assistant Cody Fueger tweeted out on Sunday afternoon. Just hours later, Wake Forest transfer Andrew Carr announced his commitment to Kentucky.

Carr is ranked as the 75th-best transfer by ESPN.

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Carr began his college career at Delaware, where his father and uncle both played. After two seasons, he elected to transfer to Wake Forest, where started in all 68 games. This past season, Carr was the star big man of a Demon Deacon team that won 20+ games for just the second time over the last decade.

This past season, Carr averaged career-highs in points at 13.5 per game, and rebounds at 6.8 per game. Doing so on 53% shooting from the field and 37% from deep. Per KenPom, he played primarily at the 4 spot and occasionally logged minutes at the 5, so he can play alongside Amari Williams as a stretch big. It is worth noting that Kentucky is also hosting Utah State transfer big Great Osobor for a three-day visit, alongside his family.

While Carr is experienced, his NCAA Tournament experience is limited. Playing just one tournament game, a 20-point loss to a 2-seeded Villanova team in 2022.

Watch a breakdown of the newest Wildcat below.

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Also posted on A Sea of Blue.

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Top 25 Transfer Otega Oweh Commits to Kentucky

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Oklahoma Sooners transfer Otega Oweh has comitted to play basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats.
NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Following Lamont Butler’s commitment to Kentucky on Friday, the Wildcats have received another commitment less than 24 hours later. This time Oklahoma transfer Otega Oweh, he announced on his social media.

This comes after Oweh visited Lexington earlier this week, with reports coming out that his recruitment could be wrapped up quickly after.

Oweh is a top 25 transfer according to 247Sports, 38th by EvanMiya, and 55th by ESPN. Listed at 6-5, 210 pounds, Oweh is a strong and physical guard. His strength and athleticism have been a strength dating back to high school, which allows him to impact the game defensively, and also to get to the rim and thrive in transition opportunities.

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In two years at Oklahoma, the area that Oweh has significantly improved in has been his shooting. As a freshman, he shot just 25 percent from three, on just four attempts for the season, to 37.7 percent as a sophomore, making 20 of his 53 attempts. Most of that success comes from catch-and-shoot opportunities, where he rates in the 87th percentile. His ability to shoot off the dribble is the polar opposite, rating in just the 4th percentile.

Oweh is a two-way player with two years of eligibility remaining, while he will bring experience, there is still room for development with NBA upside. While he may not be a primary option, he’s certainly a player that can impact the game.

Oweh is now Kentucky’s third addition from the transfer portal and sixth player overall. A handful of top transfers are visiting, or currently visiting, Kentucky this weekend. The staff is hopeful a few join the roster.

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REPORT: San Diego State Transfer Lamont Butler Commits to Kentucky

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San Diego State transfer Lamont Butler has committed to play basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats.
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Amidst anxiety from many of the Big Blue Nation, the Kentucky basketball program has added another player to the roster. On Friday Lamont Butler, a consensus top-60 transfer from San Diego State, committed to Kentucky, reported by On3.

Kentucky has been in contact with Butler since he entered the portal earlier this week. On Friday morning, four members of the Kentucky staff took a visit to Las Vegas, which we know now was to see Butler. It was enough to secure his commitment.

Coming out of a high school as a three-star prospect, Butler has been a true case of development. In four seasons with San Diego State, he improved his numbers year after year. As a three-year starter for the Aztecs, Butler averaged 7.7 points (41.2% FG), 2.6 assists, and 2.3 rebounds. He also received Mountain West All-Defense honors three straight seasons, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award this past year.

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Butler was a star for the San Diego State team that made it to the National Championship game in 2023, even hitting the buzzer-beater to send them to the title game. He will provide Kentucky with proven experience and the knowledge of what it takes to win.

As his defensive accolades show, Butler makes his biggest impact on the defensive side of the ball. However, he plays well within a system and is a really good passer for a guard who plays primarily off the ball, with a 21 percent assist rate. He also grades fairly well analytically on spot-up shots and in pick-and-roll situations as the ball handler.

With Butler on the roster, there are still many spots to fill, especially some spots for “dudes”. Fortunately, many big names are expected to be in Lexington this weekend for the visit.

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