When DeAndre Liggins arrived in Lexington this week with his Findlay Prep (Nev.) teammates for their game in the Lexington Christian Classic on Friday night, he got a taste of what his life will be like when he plays for Kentucky next season.
“This town’s crazy, the fans are everywhere, wherever you go,” Liggins said. “The restaurant we went to had a sign up, ‘Welcome DeAndre and Findlay Prep.’”
Liggins (shown at left in photo by Mark Cornelison) then went out Friday night and whetted the appetite of UK fans with his all-around play in Findlay Prep’s 83-47 rout of Western Reserve (Ohio). The 6-foot-6 point guard had only six points (he took six shots and hit 1 of 2 three-pointers), but he had six assists and six rebounds. He showed a solid floor game as a passer and ball-handler.
UK assistant Glynn Cyprien and a few Cats, including Perry Stevenson and Ramon Harris, were in the crowd.
“I’m a pass-first kind of guy,” Liggins said. “I just try to make everybody else better. I’ll try to do that at Kentucky next year, bring energy and try to make everybody else better.”
Liggins, a 6-foot-6 point guard, is averaging 14.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 6.3 assists. Last season he averaged a triple-double (14 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) for Chicago George Washington before transferring to Findlay. He said the move has changed his attitude about academics. “My grades are a lot better, and I think I’m on the verge of qualifying,” he said.
Liggins doesn’t have to worry about scoring for unbeaten Findlay (12-0) because he’s surrounded by Division I talent. His teammates include Florida State signee Deividas Dulkys, New Mexico-bound Jacques Streeter, Cal State Fullerton recruit Curtis Dennis, and Clarence Trent, one of the top Division I prospects in the Class of 2009.
Trent, a strong and nimble 6-8 power forward, is being recruited by UK, Arkansas, Kansas and others. He looked like the best player on the court Friday night as he scored 17 points and grabbed seven rebounds. The highlight of the game was when he grabbed a rebound, weaved his way down the floor and threw down an artful jam.
Is Liggins recruiting Trent for the Cats? “I’m trying,” Liggins said with a smile.
Trent said he was “thrown for a loop” when he realized that Liggins wasn’t worried about his scoring average. “In our first or second game, he had about 10 assists and not many points, and it shocked me,” Trent said. “Most high-profile players, all they think about is scoring, and it’s all about them. Not DeAndre.”
How did UK land Liggins when the Cats weren’t on his radar before this spring?
“Billy Gillispie’s a great guy with a great attitude,” Liggins said. “I know he’s tough and he’ll push me, but I’ll (handle) that.”
Liggins has taken some ribbing from his Findlay teammates about UK’s struggles this season. “It’s a little frustrating,” he said. “But it’ll be all right.”
He’ll be in Rupp Arena on Saturday for UK’s showdown with Louisville. Asked for a prediction on the Cats, Liggins said, ” “I expect ‘em to win. I’ll be cheering on the sidelines.”
