Five-star forward EJ Montgomery commits to Kentucky, giving Wildcats big man for 2018 class

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McDonalds High School All American forward E.J. Montgomery (3) poses for photos on portrait day at the Omni Hotel on March 25, 2018 in Atlanta, Ga.(Photo: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports)

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky has found its big man for the 2018 recruiting class.

Five-star forward EJ Montgomery committed to the Wildcats after hosting UK coach John Calipari in his home Sunday, he told 247Sports.

"My parents just wanted me to go to a school that I can get develop the most,” Montgomery told 247Sports. "Their track record with their players in the NBA shows that they’re pretty good at it."

MORE: Think you love basketball? Meet EJ Montgomery's family

Montgomery originally committed to Auburn last year but reopened his recruitment when that program was among those mentioned in the FBI investigation into college basketball.

The 247Sports Composite, which averages the ratings of the three major recruitng services, ranks Montgomery is ranked as the No. 12 prospect in the country and No. 3 power forward in the 2018 class. Duke, North Carolina and Vanderbilt were among the other schools recruiting Montgomery, the highest-rated uncommitted big man in the class.

At Kentucky, Montgomery joins a 2018 class that already included five-star point guard Immanuel Quickley, five-star swingman Keldon Johnson and four-star shooting guard Tyler Herro. The class is now ranked second nationally by the 247Sports Composite. 

At the McDonald's All-American game last month, Montgomery said he planned spring visits to at least Duke, North Carolina and Kentucky, but after the in-home visit with Calipari he was apparently ready to pull the trigger.

Montgomery took an unofficial visit to Lexington for UK's win over Missouri in February. 

"It was a great visit," Montgomery said before the McDonald's game in Atlanta. "Great atmosphere. I have a good relationship with the coaches."

MORE: Kevin Knox is leaving Kentucky basketball for the NBA. Here's what it means.

Montgomery's commitment decreases some of the pressure on Kentucky to return the bulk of its low-post production from the current season.

Forward PJ Washington has already entered the NBA draft but left the door open for a return by not signing with an agent. Freshman forwards Jarred Vanderbilt and Nick Richards and sophomore forwards Wenyen Gabriel and Sacha Killeya-Jones have yet to announce decisions about their future at Kentucky.

ESPN does not currently project Montgomery as a one-and-done player in its 2019 mock draft, but the 6-foot-10 McDonald's All-American could push for a starting job as a freshman regardless of who returns at the post positions for Kentucky.

Jon Hale: jahale@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @JonHale_CJ. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/jonh.

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