The Kentucky Wildcats have started the task of replacing Sam Malone, Tod Lanter and Brian Long with 6-foot-2 guard Jonny David from Mount Lebanon (Pa.).
Instead of exploring other Division I offers, David decided he would rather be a walk-on at Kentucky.
David averaged 18.5 points per game as a senior.
Here is more from the Herald-Leader:
Jonny had expressed interest in walking on at a bigger program, and Calipari noted that he would be losing three walk-ons — seniors Tod Lanter, Brian Long and Sam Malone — to graduation.
Calipari told the Davids to consider it over the next few months and let him know at the end of the season if he’d be interested in coming to Kentucky.
Other Division I coaches made phone calls and sent letters to express interest in Jonny’s recruitment.
Joe David asked his son the same question whenever a new school would inquire: “If they offered you a scholarship would you go there or walk on at Kentucky?
“The answer was always, ‘I want to go to Kentucky.'”
Last month, Jonny sent Calipari a text message saying he’d like to be a Wildcat.
“Welcome to the family,” the UK coach responded.
