Julius Randle Hosts Kentucky Coaches

Julius Randle, the No. 1 power forward in the Class of 2013 and a potential program-changer, hosted Kentucky coach John Calipari and assistant Orlando Antigua Monday.

“I talk to Coach Orlando the most right now, but Coach Cal talks to my mom and coach a lot,” Randle told Garrett Tucker of BluegrassHoops.com. “I think I have a great relationship with Coach O. He always talks about how well I would fit in at Kentucky, and he just tries to get me to go there.”

Calipari was busy after leading Kentucky to the Hall of Fame title Sunday over Old Dominion at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

He tripped to the National Prep Showcase Sunday to watch Tilton (N.H.) forward Nerlens Noel, who, along with Randle and Jabari Parker, are the top players in 2013.

BluegrassHoops also reported that Calipari saw twins Aaron and Andrew Harrison Monday in Texas.

Randle also listed Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, TCU, Baylor, Duke, and North Carolina but said he sees similarities between himself and Kentucky sophomore Terrence Jones.

“I really like what Coach Cal has done with Terrence Jones and his versatility,” he told Bluegrasshoops. “I think we play similarly and we do things different. Either way, the way Jones moves around with his versatility makes things appealing.”

He did not deny his friend Ish Wainright’s suggestion that Randle may ultimately land at Kentucky.

“I haven’t really looked into that much,” he said. “Ishmail is one of my friends and I respect his opinion, and he thinks that is where I would be best. Everyone has their opinion. I just know I haven’t made a decision yet, and I won’t until next year.”