Major decision looms for Canada's Shaedon Sharpe as NBA beckons upon college arrival

When Shaedon Sharpe arrived on campus at the University of Kentucky, he received an uncommonly quiet welcome compared to most top basketball recruits.

The 18-year-old wasn't introduced with pyrotechnics and a laser light show the way a freshman John Wall was nearly 13 years ago in October 2009. In fact, the London, Ont., native didn't even first set foot on campus as a new member of the Wildcats until the around the start of the new year, when he quietly landed and just started getting to work.

Despite Sharpe's status as a top high school recruit, there hasn't been as much fanfare around his arrival in Lexington as there has questions and intrigue.

Sharpe was listed as the No. 1 recruit for the class of 2022 on many boards, including on ESPN's, but he decided to forego his senior year at Glendale, Ariz.-based prep school Dream City Christian, opting to graduate as he had the necessary credits to do so.

And since Sharpe had already committed to Kentucky in September, 2021, he decided he would arrive on campus early so he may get prepared for the 2022 collegiate season.

However, because Sharpe will turn 19 in May and will be a full season removed from graduating high school, he's eligible to declare for the 2022 NBA Draft in June.

According to a recent ESPN mock draft, Sharpe would be the seventh-overall pick in the draft, despite not suiting up for a single second for Kentucky yet. He could make in excess of $4.5 million US next season if he were to be selected seventh overall in a year when there is no guarantee he'll get into games for Kentucky.

"We'll bring him along slow. I want him in practice," said Kentucky head coach John Calipari on his weekly radio show, shortly after Sharpe's arrival on campus. "I want to see