The fans chanted his name last weekend and applauded him when he took the floor for a pick up game. Like many a prospect before him, Daniel Orton was moved by what he saw during UK’s opening weekend for its basketball team.
The Kentucky Wildcats put in a considerable amount of their recruiting efforts into Orton. After a handful of unofficial visits, a pair of in-home presentations and an official visit, the Wildcats got their man on Sunday. Orton’s 4 p.m. press conference at a local hotel in Lexington sealed the news: he’ll be a Wildcat.
"The reason why he picked Kentucky is because of his relationship," Andy Fisher, Orton's high school assistant told Scout.com.
"Daniel is very involved with his relatationships as far as coaches go. He wants that trust there as he goes into college and maybe one day develop his game for the NBA."
Orton, a standout at Oklahoma City (Okla.) Bishop McGuinness, is ranked the No. 12 prospect in the nation by Scout.com. In offering up his commitment, Orton gives Billy Gillispie his third pledge for 2009. Joining Orton in the Big Blue is stellar small forward Jon Hood and Texas point man G.J. Vilarino.
Orton is the type of big man that can anchor a frontline and has a considerable amount of potential. A guy that can alter games on the defensive end, Orton is a game changer and a huge pick up for the Cats. When properly motivated, this enormous specimen can impose his will in a game.
The 6-foot-10 big man had his list of school narrowed down to Kentucky and Kansas. Although the Jayhawks took Thomas Robinson on Friday and informed Orton that they were no longer involved in his recruitment.
He also had offers from Ohio State, Oklahoma and a variety of other high major programs.
Since Gillispie took over the reigns at UK this is the second time he’s nabbed Scout.com’s No. 12 big man. Back in 2007, Patrick Patterson was No. 12 in his class.