New Zealand native Tai Wynyard plans to begin classes at the University of Kentucky in December but says he’s 50-50 on playing basketball during the 2015-16 season.
Wynyard is currently playing center for the Breakers in Australia’s NBL league. He spent the summer playing for the New Zealand national team.
Even if he doesn’t play, he will be a member of the team and will redshirt this season.
Here is an excerpt of Wynyard’s comments:
“School is really tough because I’m hardly there,” he shrugs. “But Rangitoto are really good — they mould it round your schedule. I have a good dean, and they’re all working hard to help me to the NCAA requirements.”
Wynyard heads to Kentucky on December 15 with an immediate decision to make. Given their season starts in November, he’ll have the option of red-shirting (essentially becoming a non-playing team member) or of joining the team late.
The youngster says the decision is his and he’s “50-50” on at this stage. “I think I could handle the level, but I probably won’t decide until I get there. There are pluses and minuses both ways.”
Whatever, Wynyard can’t wait to get to America’s most successful NBA feeder college. The Wildcats have had more top-10 picks, more lottery selections and more first-rounders in the John Calipari era than any other team in the country — and that should continue with incoming freshman Skal Labissiere rated a prospective No 1 pick in 2016.
“I committed real, real early, pretty much as soon as they came to me. It’s the best school in the country, so how was I not going to say yes. It’s going to be a lot of fun.
“I’m ready to go over there and smash it out, and do the best I can to compete.”
