By JACOB POLACHECK
With name, image and likeness rules in effect in the NCAA, college athletes are preparing to cash in and high school prospects have an entirely new set of criteria to consider when making their college decisions.
Cordell Livingston, the 6-foot, 170-pound point guard from Akron (OH) Buchtel and the We All Can Go AAU program, is among those expected to take advantage of the new NIL rules with college offers from schools across the nation.
Cordell, the twin brother of five-star class of 2022 recruit Chris Livingston, took his first official visit to Kentucky alongside his brother from June 18-20.
“It was nice down there,” Cordell said. “I like Kentucky. I’ve got family down there. The way coach (John) Calipari is, he’s just so down to earth. Talking to him, I felt like I’ve known him all my life.
“The coaching staff is cool. Everybody is cool. The players are cool. We saw a practice and I enjoyed that. They went 100 percent the whole practice.”
On the recruiting front, Cordell is planning visits to Tennessee State, Memphis and LSU.
He broke down each school:
Tennessee State: “TSU just told me, through conversations with Hercy (Miller), that he got like $2 million. He’s got a $2 million deal on the table right now because of the name, image and likeness (rules). It’s marketable because it’s like ‘the Livingston’s go to TSU. It’s an HBCU, so they chose that over all the other big offers’. It’s marketable. That was their pitch.”
Memphis: “They made it apparent that they’re not recruiting me and Chris. They’re recruiting me separately. They got in touch with me separately. They send me film every week of different players and things to work on. It’s been cool. Sometimes we just talk about life and we’re just chilling. It’s cool. I like the relationship.”
LSU: “I haven’t even really been in touch with them. They haven’t talked to me and Chris yet, but we’re going to set that up and try to get in contact with them. The visit is through our coach at WACG because he’s close with the coach. We’re going to get in contact through that.”
Cordell is also planning a visit to Detroit-Mercy.
“That was my first offer. They’ve been there since the beginning of my freshman year,” he said. “I’m big on loyalty and I have to show love to them. They showed love first, so I have to give it back.”
While Cordell is considering a visit to Detroit-Mercy, they are not on Chris’ list.
“I don’t think it will affect the decision, but we are considering (playing together),” Cordell said. “It would be cool, but I don’t think it would affect any decision we would make. We’re just looking at the best school for us.”
As Chris says he’s looking to commit within the calendar year, Cordell says he’ll likely make his decision at the end of the high school season.
“I’m looking at the environment, play style, camaraderie, the coach, the vibes and stuff like that,” Cordell said. “Can I see myself in these cities? Can they take me to the next level? Can they push me to the next level?”
While Chris and Cordell both started playing basketball together at the age of five, Chris had a bit of head start on his brother.
From third grade to fifth grade, Cordell wasn’t allowed to play basketball due to low grades.
“As a kid, I didn’t really like school, so my grades weren’t up to par,” he said. “My mom didn’t let me play, but I got them up and I got them better. In the summer of sixth grade, I was able to play again and that’s how I got back on.
“To be where I’m at now, to have the offers that I have and to be known across the country, to come back from not being able to play and catch up to kids, I’m very proud of myself in that regard.”
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