Chris Livingston is just a kid from Akron. A few exceptions: he's 6-foot-6, he's 17-years-old, and he'll dunk on you.
The small forward was right up there with the likes of Emoni Bates and Jalen Duren in the 2022 recruiting class before they reclassified to the class of 2021. Livingston is now the sixth-ranked recruit in the country according to 247Sports Composite Rankings. In comparison, Livingston brings Ohio-flavored speed and strength.
Chris Livingston Highlights
Much like his Akron counterpart LeBron James, Livingston is a freight-train in the open court. He's the rare combination of the fastest and strongest guy in the gym. He's best driving towards the rim. Once in the paint, he seeks contact and finishes consistently; The five-star recruit dunks with ferocity. Livingston's shot is probably the weakest part of his offensive game right now, but there's a foundation to build on.
Livingston draws more inspiration from James on the defensive end. He loves sniffing out opportunities for the chase down block. His athleticism allows him to guard anyone on the floor, and there's potential to develop into a dynamic wing defender.
Chris Livingston Basketball Recruiting
Top 4 ?? pic.twitter.com/BgHmYZZJIm
— Chris livingston (@_chrisliv24) August 28, 2021
RELATED: Nation's No. 2 Recruit Commits to National Championship Contender
Chris and his twin brother Cordell played their first high school basketball season at Buchtel High before transferring to Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio, ahead of their sophomore campaign and then transferred back to Butchel for their junior year. The twins will finish their high school careers at Oak Hill Academy.
Chris held college basketball scholarship offers from Akron, Florida, LSU, Ohio State, Tennessee State, Arizona State, Georgetown, Kansas, Kentucky, Memphis and North Carolina. He also had interest from Alabama, South Carolina, Michigan, Indiana, Texas, Louisville, and Air Force. The Ohio State Buckeyes offered when Chris was 14.
The shooting guard/small forward named his top four of the Tennessee State Tigers, Kentucky Wildcats, Memphis Tigers and Georgetown Hoyas in late August 2021.
Livingston represented the United States at the 2019 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship in Brazil. He teamed up with Amari Bailey, Jabari Smith, Max Christie, and Duren to win the gold medal. Livingston notched 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists in the final. He was named the tournament's MVP.
Chris Livingston Commits to Kentucky
Breaking: Chris Livingston, the No. 12 overall player in the Class of 2022 ESPN 100, has committed to @KentuckyMBB, per @PaulBiancardi ? @_chrisliv24 pic.twitter.com/URPOdRCEmu
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 15, 2021
The wait is over: Chris Livingston is headed to Lexington, Kentucky to play for head coach John Calipari. Livingston took an official visit in June of this year and it was more than enough to land the coveted prospect.
247Sports' Crystal Ball started predicting the Wildcats would land Livingston in early September. Livingston becomes the third five-star to join UK's 2022 recruiting class along with shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe and point guard Skyy Clark The Wildcats don't appear to be done, either. Top-10 prospects Dereck Lively II and Carson Wallace are predicted to sign with Kentucky, too.
The high school hoops star has the NBA in sights, but first he'll take tear up SEC competition on ESPN.
