“I think the thing that stood out first for Coach Calipari was just his compeitiveness and his drive and then you combine that with the physical tools and his continuing to develop skill set, he just thinks that Kahlil could be a really special player at Kentucky,” Boff said. Whitney quickly became Kentucky’s top target on the wing in the Class of 2019. When Whitney announced his final eight schools this week, Kentucky was among a group that included Louisville, Oregon, Miami, Florida State, Georgetown, SMU and his home-state Illinois.John Calipari and Tony Barbee watching their new favorite target @KahlilWhitney
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) July 22, 2018
(Photos via Orlando Cameron) pic.twitter.com/PdGeDYAIni
As Whitney heads into his first official visit to Kentucky beginning Friday, the Wildcats were widely seen as the favorite — and that was before fellow Class of 2019 wing D.J. Jeffries decommitted this week. (Memphis is seen as the likely landing spot for Jeffries). “Kentucky,” an assistant coach from one of the seven other schools recruiting Whitney said by text when asked where he thought Whitney would land. Asked if he thought the Jeffries decommitment makes Whitney more valuable for Kentucky, Boff said: “I guess it would make him more valuable for them but Coach Calipari was enthralled with Kahlil and had made him one of their top targets before Jeffries ever decommitted.” Whitney has also kept a calm outward demeanor in terms of his offers, but Boff said he’s fired up for the visit. “He’s very excited about the visit,” Boff said. “I think Kentucky has always been a place that has interested Kahlil. I think he wants a competitive environment and he knows that’s about as competitive an environment as you could be in and I think he was excited to get the offer and is excited to go down on the visit this weekend.” Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter And like ZAGS on FacebookThe Final 8?? @hoopmajorhm pic.twitter.com/yvLZeu74ap
— #MyMommaTheReason❤️ (@KahlilWhitney) August 1, 2018