It feels like with the recent additions of James Nnaji (Baylor) and Charles Bediako (Alabama), there are no longer clear rules in the college basketball landscape, and anyone can return to playing if they choose to.
Now, it appears Kentucky Basketball might be going down a similar route, as the Wildcats have interest in G League standout guard Dink Pate, who is considering the option of playing college basketball.
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Pate currently plays for the Westchester Knicks and plans to finish out his season before making a decision on whether he wants to play for a college team next year.
Pate made history in 2023 as the youngest professional basketball player in U.S. history, opting for the G League over college out of high school. Now 19, he is pursuing an opportunity he feels he missed the first time around, while keeping his long-term NBA goals intact.
“I’m going to finish out the season, regardless,” Pate tells Jacob Polacheck of KSR+, noting that he has been told there is a strong chance he will receive NCAA clearance and that the Knicks are supportive of his situation.
A potential college destination that naturally draws attention is Kentucky, due to Pate’s close relationship with Wildcats assistant coach Jason Hart. Hart coached Pate during his time with G League Ignite, and the two have remained in contact since Hart joined Mark Pope’s staff in Lexington.
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While Pate says he is not set on any school, Kentucky is the only program he is directly communicating with, as his agent handles outreach from more than 50 schools. Pate also reacted positively to Pope’s recent comments regarding G League players entering college basketball, viewing them as encouraging for players in his position.
“It sounds like he’s with it. Like I said the first time with this experience, I can do it, and I’m going to do it,” Pate said. “I’m 19. I’m not 25. Everybody else who’s doing it is way older than me. I’m the exact age as these other dudes that are in the system right now.”
Kentucky is still searching for its first commitment of any kind for next season, as no one in the high school ranks has picked the Cats, while the transfer portal is still several months away from opening.
