Dezmine Wells averaged 9.8 points and 4.9 rebounds as a freshman for Xavier last season.
AP Photo
Former Xavier standout Dezmine Wells visited Kentucky’s campus Wednesday, and UK is one of three schools with a shot of landing him.
Wells, who was recently expelled from Xavier, is scheduled to visit Memphis on Thursday and see Maryland sometime this weekend. A final decision is expected no later than early next week.
Louisville looked to be Wells’ most likely destination, but the Cardinals have no available scholarships for the 2012-13 season. U of L assistant Kevin Keatts coached Wells at Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia.
Scout.com analyst Evan Daniels said Wells’ trip to Lexington caught many by surprise.
“That’s a big deal having a guy of that caliber on your campus,” Daniels told the Herald-Leader. “We’re talking about a high-level, impact guy. He can pretty much play anywhere in the country.”
The window for students to add and drop classes at UK closed Tuesday at midnight, but Wells can still enroll in the university this fall.
UK spokesman Jay Blanton told the Herald-Leader that a prospective student can still apply to the university. That student’s admission would then become a decision for the particular college to which the student applies. Blanton said the college’s dean would typically make the final judgment.
“Has it happened? Yes. Has it been done? Yes. But it’s not frequent,” he said.
Blanton said there was no specific deadline if a student wanted to take that route.
As for Wells’ athletic eligibility, that would be a question for the NCAA.
“I would say there’s a possibility that he can play this year,” Daniels said. “But you don’t really know until he applies and the NCAA looks it over.”
If Wells is eligible immediately, Daniels said he could have an instant impact on UK’s season.
“He helps tremendously from the (small forward) spot,” he said. “He’s so good at slashing to the basket, and so good in transition, and really finishes well around the rim. He makes toughness plays. He can defend. He’ll rebound. He’s a heck of an athlete. He can help them in a variety of ways, and he’ll be a big addition to whatever school he ends up at.”
If Wells picks UK and is forced to sit out a season, he could encounter a crowded backcourt next year. The Cats are generally considered the favorites to land Andrew Wiggins (if he reclassifies) and the Harrison twins.
But Daniels said UK could probably use those three players and the 6-foot-5 Wells in the same lineup.
“Dez Wells, he is a tough dude. He’s going to be hard to keep off the floor,” he said. “You can get creative. The way they play, they can put as many wings on the floor as they possibly can.”
Having been raised bleeding Big Blue, having two degrees from UK, and having a son at UK, I never thought I’d see the day that anything would have me considering walking away from the Big Blue Nation. I urge all with decision making power to look at the big picture and do the right thing. Ours is the University of great students and citizens like John Wall, Brandon Knight, and many more. Let’s strive to keep our standards high, and continue recruiting young men like Alex Poythress, etc.
Who is the favorite at this point, Ben?
I think you really have to like UK’s chances at this point.
Dean, the kid was wrongfully accused, THE PROSECUTOR,was the one who stood up for him.
Dean, you appear to have much more insite into the situation than I have been made privy. Would you care to elaborate on any details from the players past that have helped create your opinion?
Well Kevin I agree to a point…But he was suspended during that ugly thing with UC last year..And Xavier I assume had some reason for their action…I’d take him if he is 2012 eligable..:)
But seriously Dean if you could possibly walk away for any reason based on one player you don’t bleed blue…I mean we didn’t leave when Saul Smith was our point guard…
Dean,
I’m from Cincinnati and familiar with the Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters. He is well known to be a very tough prosecutor. As Kevin notes, Deters looked at the evidence presented and decided the young man was innocent of what he was accused. And he strongly condemned Xavier University for their decision to expel him. This taken from the Cincinnati Enquirer: ‘Joe Deters called the use of a University Conduct Board to determine whether Wells had committed an offense worthy of expulsion “fundamentally unfair” and “seriously flawed.” Deters said this matter “should never have gotten to the point where someone’s reputation is ruined.”’
I wonder how many folks who support Dez Wells as an innocent, misunderstood young kid would feel the same way if their daughter were the young lady involved in that incident. I wonder how many of them would post strong support for a young man who didn’t happen to be a talented 6’5″ basketball player.
Is Dez Wells innocent or guilty? Two people really know. The rest of us have opinions based on limited facts or individual agendas.
To my way of thinking, you look at his role in the brawl with UC last year and that’s enough for me to say, not at my school.
I am from cincinnati, and the fight between Xavier and the Bearcats was an unfortunate occurance. Dez did no different than a lot of young people may have done. It has nothing to do with his character. As far as I can tell his character is high. I cannot understand supporters of UK Sports condemning him for a stupid mistake taken in a time of high anxiety. I say lets go all out to welcome the young man, and when he is hitting three pointers for the Wildcats let’s yell a little louder.
John
To clarify, I wish this young man nothing but the best in life. My focus is not on the wrongful accusations. My focus is on the attitude of the team of which he was a part – the fighting, the embarrassing post-game interviews, and the like.
We are UK. We have players who are tough, but who are gentlemen. Coach Cal has done an amazing job of creating an environment of class, sportsmanship, and championship. I fear that dynamic will be altered if we take a path different than the one we are now on.