Five-star forward Edrice ‘Bam’ Adebayo picks Kentucky

The six-foot-nine center, rated by Scout.com as the nation’s #2 center, made the announcement on ESPN’s “Mike and Mike” radio show. He transferred from Northside to High Point Christian for this season.

The Wildcats have had the top-ranked recruiting class four times (2010, 2011, 2013, 2015) since John Calipari became their coach in April 2009, according to 247Sports.

Adebayo has always been considered a lock for N.C. State being right there close by.

“Adebayo is a 6’9”, 235 pound, power forward.

North Carolina State head coach Mark Gottfried went to great lengths to recruit both Smith and Adebayo, even visiting them via chopper.

Adebayo is ranked No. 19 in the 2016 recruiting class by Sporting News, standing outside the top 10 not because of any limitations he has but because the class is so loaded. “I’m just anxious about winning a national title”.

Wearing a blue print bow tie on ESPN’s Mike & Mike program that couldn’t have pleased Wolfpack fans, Adebayo declared, “I would like to announce I’m taking my talents to the University of Kentucky”.

Calipari has already established a strong future for the United Kingdom frontcourt with commitments from Wenyen Gabriel and Sacha Killeya-Jones, and the addition of Adebayo will make a strong case for the No. 1 class ranking in the 247Sports Composite.