By ADAM ZAGORIA
Ashton Hagans saved his best performance for his return home.
The Cartersville, Ga., native and onetime Georgia commit went for a career-high 23 points as No. 12 Kentucky beat Georgia, 69-49, Tuesday night.
After decommitting from Georgia in February 2018, Hagans became a Wildcat that April and then opted to reclassify to the Class of 2018. Now he’s punishing the Bulldogs.
“There’s no hate, Coach [Mark] Fox left, so I just changed my mind,” Hagans said on ESPN. “‘Loyalty over everything. I still love Dawg Nation but I’m a Wildcat now.”
Ashton Hagans was home so he had to try to put on a show. Mission accomplished. pic.twitter.com/0XNuUob4LE
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) January 16, 2019
Good defense by Jemarl Baker and swat by Nick Richards leads to the jam by Ashton Hagans. New career high for Hagans with 19 points. pic.twitter.com/wuvQoeUF5y
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) January 16, 2019
Since taking over as the Kentucky point guard, Hagans has revitalized the Wildcats, who surged to No. 12 from No. 18 in this week’s AP Top 25.
“I’m built for this. I just try to go out there, play my game, attack the basket, and if they’re sagging off me just try to knock down the shot,” Hagans said. “Under Cal, he’s a hard coach, every day he wants you to play hard. I just try to play hard and I’m happy to be home.
“I’m just trying to get to the next level, that’s why I made the decision to go with Cal. But I’m home so I had to try to put on a show.”
Photo: Kentucky Basketball
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