Former Kentucky basketball star DeAndre Liggins signs with Pelicans
By Drew Koch
Former Kentucky basketball star DeAndre Liggins signed a two-year deal with the New Orleans Pelicans.
The New Orleans Pelicans have signed another former Kentucky basketball player. DeAndre Liggins, who played for the Cats from 2009-2011, signed a two year deal with the Pelicans. New Orleans has become home to several former Kentucky players, most notably Anthony Davis whom the Pelicans took with the first pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.
John Calipari, much like Patrick Patterson (another former Cat now in the NBA), did not recruit Liggins. Liggins came to UK during the Billy Gillispie era. A period of two years that I think all Kentucky basketball fans have tried to burn from their brains.
Liggins, after his freshman season, was expected to take over the duties at point guard for the departed Michael Porter. That was, of course, before John Calipari was hired at the Kentucky basketball coach. Cal then brought in 5-star recruits John Wall and Eric Bledsoe, relegating Liggins to a backup role off the bench.
Liggins blossomed in his junior year with the Cats. The 6’6″ combo guard, always known for his defensive prowess, started alongside Doron Lamb and Brandon Knight in the backcourt. DeAndre Liggins averaged career-bests in almost every category, including his three-point shooting. Liggins shot 27% from downtown during his first two seasons in Lexington, but found a groove from behind the arc during the 2010-11 season and shot almost 40% from the perimeter.
DeAndre Liggins helped lead the Kentucky basketball team to an improbable run to the Final Four that season where they eventually lost to Connecticut. Liggins made the decision after the season to go to the NBA.
Liggins now joins Davis, Darius Miller, Rajon Rondo and the injured DeMarcus Cousins on the Pelicans roster. When healthy, a starting five of Rondo, Liggins, Miller, Davis and Cousins could be a formidable squad on the floor.