Nation’s top 2011 recruit Michael Gilchrist picks Kentucky

Michael Gilchrist, a native of Somerdale who commutes to St. Patrick High School in Elizabeth, N.J., has given an oral commitment to play college basketball at Kentucky.  The 6-foot-7 junior swingman cannot sign a binding national letter of intent until November.  In Gilchrist, Kentucky will get a player who’s regarded as the top college prospect by both Scout.com and Rivals.com, regardless of class.  He can effectively guard the 1 through 4 positions on defense. Offensively, he scores with ease from out to 15 feet. More than just a scorer, Gilchrist is an exceptional ball handler, shot-blocker, and finisher.  “I see a guy who has a significant ceiling,” said Dave Telep, Scout.com’s national basketball recruiting analyst. “I see a guy who has unmatched desire to win. I see a young kid that has so much more room to get better.”  Gilchrist averaged 16.4 points, 11.5 rebounds and three blocked shots a game this past season at St. Patrick, ranked sixth in the country USA Today.