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Kentucky basketball: D.J. Jeffries becomes UK’s first 2019 signee

By Drew Koch

ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 11: The Kentucky Wildcats band members perform against the Tennessee Volunteers during the Championship game of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 11, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO - MARCH 11: The Kentucky Wildcats band members perform against the Tennessee Volunteers during the Championship game of the 2018 SEC Basketball Tournament at Scottrade Center on March 11, 2018 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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John Calipari and the Kentucky basketball program got their first signee of 2019. D.J. Jeffries, a 4-star forward from Mississippi committed to the Wildcats on Monday night.

The Kentucky basketball program landed their first recruit from the Class of 2019. Forward D.J. Jeffries of Mississippi committed to John Calipari and the Wildcats. He is a 6’7″, 200-pound power forward from Olive Branch High School.

Jeffries recruitment included 16 different programs, featuring fellow SEC schools Alabama and Mississippi State. Jeffries is a 4-star prospect and ranked No. 26 by 247Sports and No. 47 by Rivals. In addition to the SEC schools, Jeffries received offers from Kansas, Texas Tech and Southern California.

Jeffries made an unofficial visit to UK in October for Big Blue Madness. The Kentucky basketball coaching staff has made a concerted effort of late to lock up the big man from Mississippi. Coach Cal made three visits to see Jeffries since September. Most recently Cal took in a game during the Mississippi state tournament last week.

D.J. Jeffries made the announcement via his Twitter page on Monday night.

https://twitter.com/lildjj0/status/973348866778189826

Jeffries isn’t the only 2019 target Calipari has had his eye on recently. Coach Cal and his staff are heavily recruiting James Wiseman, a 6’11” center from Memphis. The Kentucky basketball program is very high on Wiseman’s list. But, the rumored hiring of Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway by the Memphis Tigers may impact his decision. Wiseman has a great relationship with Hardaway.

Many pundits have been critical of Calipari’s recruiting recently. With UK missing out on R.J. Barrett, Zion Williamson and Bol Bol, landing Jeffries is a big get for the Kentucky basketball program going forward. While John Calipari is obviously focused on Davidson and the upcoming NCAA Tournament. However, locking up their first recruit of 2019 class is a solid move going forward for Coach Cal and the Kentucky basketball program.

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