Michael Gilchrist
MICHAEL GILCHRIST
Gilchrist is the crown jewel of the 2011 recruiting class and was tabbed by many as the best player in all of high school basketball while just a junior last season. He’s known as a hard worker and a high-character guy who is always looking to improve. He’ll be expected to be a superstar as soon as he sets foot in Lexington.
Status: UK signee
Committed: April 14, 2010
Position: Small forward
Height: 6-7
Weight: 200
Hometown: Somerdale, N.J.
High school: St. Patrick (Elizabeth, N.J.)
Rivals ranking: No. 3 overall
Scout ranking: No. 5 overall
ESPN ranking: No. 3 overall
MaxPreps ranking: No. 1 overall
Saed Hindash | The Star Ledger
| Date | Opponent | Result | Stats |
| Dec. 17 | Westfield | W, 60-28 | 14 pts |
| Dec. 18 | Whitney Young | W, 92-68 | 13 pts, 8 rebs, 7 asts |
| Dec. 21 | Mater Dei | W, 71-61 | 34 pts, 13 rebs |
| Dec. 22 | Milton | W, 69-67 | 25 pts, 12 rebs, 5 blks |
| Jan. 2 | Trenton Catholic | W, 72-57 | 17 pts, 8 rebs |
| Jan. 6 | Cranford | W, 90-41 | 22 pts |
| Jan. 9 | St. Benedict’s | W, 73-65 | 25 pts, 14 rebs, 3 blks |
| Jan. 11 | Plainfield | W, 68-38 | 12 pts |
| Jan. 14 | Winter Park | W, 75-66 | 22 pts, 7 rebs |
| Jan. 17 | Bishop Gorman | W, 79-63 | 27 pts, 10 rebs |
| Jan. 22 | Elizabeth | W, 60-31 | 17 pts |
| Jan. 23 | Linden | W, 64-40 | 19 pts, 11 rebs, 8 asts, 3 blks |
| Jan. 25 | Union | W, 66-45 | 32 pts |
| Jan. 29 | Newark Tech | W, 78-50 | 18 pts |
| Feb. 3 | Plainfield | W, 76-55 | 16 pts |
| Feb. 5 | Linden | W, 56-43 | 23 pts, 14 rebs |
| Feb. 8 | Elizabeth | W, 76-44 | 18 pts |
| Feb. 10 | Union | W, 78-45 | 18 pts, 12 rebs |
| Feb. 13 | St. Thomas Moore | W, 73-61 | 28 pts, 8 rebs |
| Feb. 19 | Scotch Plains | W, 100-62 | 15 pts |
| Feb. 22 | Roselle Catholic | W, 63-50 | 27 pts, 17 rebs, 7 blks |
| Feb. 26 | Linden | W, 70-58 | 15 pts, 9 rebs, 5 stls |
| March 4 | Marist | W, 84-48 | 15 pts |
| March 6 | Gill St. Bernard’s | W, 69-41 | 19 pts, 11 rebs |
| March 9 | St. Anthony | L, 62-45 | 7 pts, 13 rebs, 5 blks |
NEWS ARCHIVES
July 10, 2009: Sports Illustrated feature story on Gilchrist, the best player in high school basketball despite being just a junior.
Feb. 12, 2010: Gilchrist’s high school team is banned from post-season play because of improper practices.
April 14, 2010: Gilchrist commits to Kentucky.
April 14, 2010: Gilchrist writes a diary for USA Today.
April 14, 2010: ESPN analyst Paul Biancardi says Gilchrist will thrive in Lexington.
April 16, 2010: Gilchrist talks to a New Jersey paper and says he is honored for the chance to play at Kentucky.
May 3, 2010: MaxPreps names Gilchrist its top player in the class of 2011.
May 18, 2010: Gilchrist remains the top player in the class of 2011 in Scout.com’s rankings.
May 31, 2010: Gilchrist talks to Rivals.com about being the top player in the class of 2011.
June 9, 2010: Gilchrist and fellow UK commitment Marquis Teague sit down with Dime Magazine for a Q&A session.
June 21, 2010: Gilchrist and fellow UK commitment Marquis Teague make the USA U17 team.
June 22, 2010: Gilchrist remains the top player in the class of 2011 in ESPN.com’s rankings.
June 28, 2010: Gilchrist says he’s not thinking about the NBA, he’s thinking about winning a national championship at Kentucky.
July 1, 2010: Gilchrist remains the top player in the class of 2011 in Rivals.com’s rankings.
Nov. 10, 2010: Gilchrist signs with Kentucky.
Feb. 10, 2011: Gilchrist is selected to play in the McDonald’s All-American Game.
Feb. 15, 2011: Gilchrist is selected to play in the Jordan Brand Classic all-star game.
March 2, 2011: Gilchrist is named one of four finalists for the prestigious Morgan Wootten national player of the year award.
QUOTES
St. Patrick Coach Kevin Boyle on Gilchrist (to SNY.tv): “I really like the style of play at Kentucky. Usually there’s a very gifted point guard on Calipari’s teams and I think it gives Mike a chance to really run and get out ahead of the ball and he’s best in the transition game.”
Hoop Scoop analyst Clark Francis on Gilchrist: “In the 28-year history of The Hoop Scoop, there have been two players as sophomores I said were the best regardless of class. The other is LeBron James.”
Gilchrist on Gilchrist (to USA Today): “In my family, faith, hard work and sacrifice is normal. I know if you have a dream that you really think you can obtain, hard work and sacrifice is what it takes to get to the dream.”
