Kentucky Picks Up a Tower in Santa Ana

You can see the promotions coming a mile away. Actually, 1,800 miles away, from Southern California to Texas to Lexington, Ky., where the University of Kentucky has itself the latest in Twin Towers. It became official Wednesday, the first day high school seniors could sign a letter of intent.

In getting four players, the Wildcats covered the country like a four-corner offense, hitting Santa Ana Mater Dei High for 6-foot 10-inch LeRon Ellis; Rosenberg, Tex., for 7-foot Johnny Pittman; Pensacola, Fla., for 6-7 Jonathan Davis, and real close to home for 6-1 guard Sean Sutton--son of Kentucky Coach Eddie Sutton.

That is talent as well as size, for Pittman is one of the top three prospects in Texas and Ellis is one of the best on the West Coast.

Ellis--claiming he never waivered from his oral commitment two months ago despite talk that, in the end, he would sign with USC--said he was especially excited about going to Kentucky after learning of Pittman’s decision.

“He’s the kind of guy who plays the post,” Ellis said Wednesday. “He plays with his back to the basket. That’s good for me because I face the basket like a power forward. Plus, I like the fan support there. The fans really get involved. And they have a great coach. I like Eddie Sutton a lot.”

The Wildcats also have shooting guard Rex Chapman, one of the top prep talents in the nation last year, and are still in the running for Sean Higgins of Fairfax.

Meanwhile, on the first day of the week-long signing period, UCLA officially got Kevin Williams from L.A. Verbum Dei, but held off on announcing Gerald Madkins of Merced because the signed papers have not arrived in the mail. Likewise at USC with Ronnie Coleman of Compton Dominguez, Duane Cooper of Lakewood and Calvin Banks of Toledo, Ohio.

Forward Ricky Butler of Huntington Beach Ocean View, a two-time All-Southern Section choice, picked Kansas, a school he visited last Thursday and Friday, over Tulsa. Richard Lucas, a backup last year to Bob Erbst (now at USC) at Katella of Anaheim, went with Oregon. Guard Jason Matthews of Santa Monica St. Monica, an All-Camino Real League choice last year, chose Pitt over Purdue, Washington and Clemson.

Rick Fluckey of La Verne Bonita became one of five prospects signed by Texas, and Sean Davis of Woodland Hills El Camino Real will go to San Jose State.

David Whitmore of Playa del Rey St. Bernard said that he would wait until April before making his decision.

Two of the top girl players in the area have announced their plans to sign--Andrea Knapp of Woodland Hills Louisville with California and Diane DeCree of Granada Hills Kennedy with Texas A&M.;