2019 power forward Vernon Carey includes Kentucky among five finalists

Vernon Carey Jr. is one of the nation’s elite prospects in the Class of 2019. We now know that the SEC’s premier basketball program is among his five finalists.

Carey Jr. announced on his Twitter account that the Kentucky Wildcats were one of the five programs he will be choosing from when he eventually makes his commitment. The group of five also includes the Duke Blue Devils, Miami Hurricanes, Michigan State Spartans and the North Carolina Tar Heels, as well.

It’s no surprise that Carey Jr., who ranks 2nd among all prospects in the Class of 2019, included some of the top programs in the country among his choices. The choice of Miami is also not a surprise, as his father was a former standout football player for the Hurricanes. Plus, he’s also from Fort Lauderdale, where he currently attends the University School.

If you’re into looking at his 247Sports Crystal Ball, Duke leads the field at 54 percent, with The U and MSU at 23 percent apiece.

The last contact he had with Kentucky, according to 247Sports’ timeline on his page, was April 16 when assistant coach Kenny Payne paid him a visit. He also was visited by head coach John Calipari back on April 7.

The 6-foot-9, 245-pound Carey Jr. is only looking up at Memphis’ James Wiseman on the list of recruits in 2019.