Kentucky is back in the mix for Caleb Swanigan, a source confirmed to SNY.tv
Jon Rothstein of CBSSports.com and Jeff Rabjohns of Rivals previously reported it..
The 6-foot-8 2015 center from Fort Wayne (IN) Homestead High recently decommitted from Michigan State and his recruitment has been very close to the vest since then.
His father, Roosevelt Barnes, recently told SNY.tv that there was nothing new to report.
The five-star big man initially considered Cal, Kentucky, Purdue, Arizona, Duke and Chicago State in addition to the Spartans.
Part of his decommitment reportedly stemmed from the fact that he wants to play power forward and not center in college. With Skal Labissiere, the projected No. 1 pick in 2016, signed to Kentucky, Swanigan could play the four there.
But the Wildcats also have Alex Poythress and Marcus Lee returning.
Still, his addition would be a huge late get for Kentucky, which missed out on a Who’s Who of recruits this spring, including Jaylen Brown (Cal), Malik Newman (Mississippi State), Stephen Zimmerman (UNLV), Thomas Bryant (Indiana), Cheick Diallo (Kansas) and Antonio Blakeney (LSU).
Swanigan averaged 22.6 points and 13.7 rebounds this past season and was named 2015 Indianapolis Star Mr. Basketball.
Swanigan won gold last summer with the USA U17 team at the World Championship in Dubai, where he averaged 8.0 points and 5.7 rebounds in seven games, all victories.
“Caleb will be a perfect Big 10 player – outstanding rebounder with a nose for the ball,” USA U17 coach Don Showalter told SNY.tv when he committed. “He’s very powerful around the basket and finishes well with either hand. He has developed his midrange game nicely as he can step out to shoot the J!”
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