Duke basketball target Kennedy Chandler discusses five finalists, decision
By Matt Giles
Kennedy Chandler talks Tennessee
The fact that Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes has built a considerable threat to Kentucky in the SEC must be intriguing to Kennedy Chandler. He basically said as much to Pro Insights:
“I feel like everyone did not expect them to be there, but I’ve always had a great relationship with them ever since my official visit and them calling me and texting me. I’ve built a really good connection with them, and I can help keep turning that program around.”
Like Duke and Kentucky, it may help the Volunteers’ chances with Chandler that they are also among the six finalists for his friend and potential college teammate, O’Dea (Wash.) power forward Paolo Banchero, a five-star who ranks No. 4 overall on the 247Sports 2021 Composite. Chandler and Banchero took official visits to Rocky Top on the same weekend last fall. In his SI blog earlier this month, Chandler laid out his current thoughts on joining forces with Banchero:
“I know that people are talking about me and my guy Paolo being maybe a package deal…I would love to play with him in college, and if the school that we both feel is right for us happens to be the same school, then that’s great. But we have to do what’s best for us first, and maybe that will be the same school. Too early to tell right now.”
OK, time to head east and check out what Chandler thinks about Tar Heels…