By CHARLIE PARENT
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Billy Richmond, a five-star senior guard who committed to Kentucky last week, is ready to transition to the next level in Lexington next season.
The Camden High (NJ.) product dropped 20 points and 9 rebounds in a 77-52 loss to Ace Bailey and McEachern High (GA.) at Friday’s The Battle at Rutgers. With Richmond guarding him at times, Bailey wowed the crowd with 40 points, 21 rebounds and 3 assists in the win.
Richmond has been watching the Wildcats throughout the season. He was high school teammates with star freshmen DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw. “I’ve been tuning into a couple of games and seeing my guys and my old teammates,” he told ZAGSBLOG. “The team is just a family. They all look good, they’re playing in the [Coach] Cal system and it’s working.” Richmond has been in touch with unsigned five-stars Karter Knox and V.J. Edgecombe as they near their decisions. The 6-4 Edgecombe is down to Baylor, Duke and Kentucky and said he will announce “this season.” Kentucky already has the No. 2-ranked recruiting class behind Duke. “I’ve talked to VJ a little bit,” Richmond said. “I recently met him at Tatum Camp; he was my roommate, so we’ve been cool and just talking a bit.” In a loaded Kentucky class with three five-stars and two four-stars, Richmond is willing to do whatever he needs to carve out a role early. “I’m just going to do the little things on the defensive end and offensive end,” he said. “That’s all that coach can ask for and just gaining trust from my coaches.” Follow Charlie on Twitter Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram And Like ZAGS on FacebookPotential No. 1 pick Ace Bailey put on a ridiculous show for Rutgers fans at his future college arena in the Battle of New Jersey. 40 points, 21 rebounds, 3 assists and a bunch of great defensive plays in McEachern's blowout win over Camden. pic.twitter.com/FW1hRa5tX7
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) December 30, 2023
