UK lands five-star point guard Ashton Hagans

Kentucky head coach John Calipari addresses the media during the press conference before Kentucky’s open practice on Wednesday, March 21, 2018, in Atlanta, Georgia. Kentucky will play Kansas State in the Sweet 16 game in the NCAA tournament on Thursday, March 22, 2018. Photo by Arden Barnes | Staff

Kernel Sports Staff

Roughly 14 hours after starting point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander declared for the NBA Draft, UK might have found his replacement as five-star point guard Ashton Hagans verbally committed to UK, according to Evan Daniels.

Hagans is a member of the 2019 class, but reports suggest he is likely to reclassify into the 2018 class, giving John Calipari his fourth five-star recruit in next year’s class.

Hagans is the No. 8 ranked player in the 2019 class according to 247Sports’ Composite rankings, including the No. 1 overall ranked point guard.

“It’s my dream school and I feel like I can get the job done there,” Hagans told Daniels after committing to UK.

Hagans commitment comes nearly 24 hours after five-star forward EJ Montgomery committed to UK as well. UK’s 2018 class was ranked second behind Duke before Hagans’ commitment, and if Hagans were to reclassify into the 2018 class, it could be enough to push the Cats into first.

Hagans was previously committed to Georgia, but he opened back up his recruitment on Feb. 26. Including UK, Hagans had offers from Louisville, Georgetown, Memphis, Arizona State, Auburn and many others.