Gilchrist gives verbal commitment to UK

Almost two hours after the No. 1 ranked recruit in the 2010 class gave a verbal commitment to play for UK head coach John Calipari and the Cats, the No. 1 ranked recruit in the 2011 class did the same thing.

Michael Gilchrist, a 6-foot-6, 190-pound forward from Elizabeth, N.J., verbally committed to the Cats live on ESPN-U just before 6 p.m.

Gilchrist won’t be able to sign a National Letter of Intent with the Cats until November during the early signing period.

Gilchrist credited Calipari’s attitude toward the game of basketball, his staff and the Big Blue Nation as his reasons for committing to the Cats.

Gilchrist also said he committed today because it is his father’s birthday, who passed away when he was 2.

“It’s his birthday today,” Gilchrist said. “It’s not for me. It’s for him. ”

Gilchrist is the first player from the 2011 class to verbally commit to UK.