One of the highest risers from the spring AAU period has been 2017 Huntsville (AL) J.O. Johnson shooting guard John Petty. The sophomore has been adding scholarship offers left and right.

However, the biggest one came a few days ago, as Kentucky head coach John Calipari extended an offer to the 6-foot-5 scorer.

“I was excited to get the Kentucky offer,” Petty told HoopSeen.com. “I played well in Lexington and they watched all of my games. I thought it may come since I played well, but I didn’t know when.”

Sure enough, Calipari and his staff liked what they saw from Petty. He averaged 15.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in Lexington at the second EYBL stop. He is one of the few 2017 recruits that holds an offer from the Wildcats at this time.

“Coach [John] Calipari told me I was a good player and he would like for me to come and be a part of the foundation at Kentucky.”

Petty took an unofficial visit to Lexington last summer following the Nike Elite 100 camp. Over the past few months, Kentucky assistant Kenny Payne has kept tabs on Petty on the AAU circuit with the Alabama Challenge.

The AAU season has been a successful one for Petty. His name is being thrown around on a national level with many scouts and college coaches. People are beginning to recognize his star potential at the next level.

“I would say AAU is going really well. I’m doing a good job of scoring. Austin [Wiley] went down with an injury, so I have had to pick things up for my team.”

While Kentucky is a big offer and proves Petty’s rise to elite status, he holds several other scholarship offers and doesn’t consider anyone a favorite at this point in his recruitment.

“Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Georgia, Florida State, and Ole Miss are some schools that have offered. I’m open to everyone. I’m still looking around right now,” he explained.

Since taking over at Alabama, new head coach Avery Johnson has hit the recruiting trail on the run. Petty was one of the first prospects Johnson visited a few weeks ago after receiving the job in Tuscaloosa.

“Avery is a good guy. I’m ready to see how he turns Alabama around. I like what he has to say and what his plans are for Alabama basketball.”

While Alabama and Auburn will look to keep Petty in-state, there will be plenty of other blue-blood programs that compete for the talented wing’s services. Get used to hearing the name John Petty – he’s becoming a national name.