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E.J. Montgomery latest 5-star recruit to commit to Kentucky

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Montgomery gives Kentucky loaded frontcourt next season (1:13)

Jeff Goodman reports on five-star recruit E.J. Montgomery, who decommitted from Auburn last year, announcing that he will be headed to Kentucky for his freshman campaign. (1:13)

Five-star senior E.J. Montgomery announced Monday in an Instagram post that he has committed to Kentucky.

I'm rocking Kentucky blue 🔵⚪️ #BBN #BGN ‼️

A post shared by Ej Montgomery® (@_mont23) on

He had been expected to meet with the Kentucky staff Sunday night.

Montgomery, who decommitted from Auburn the same day the initial FBI investigation went public in September, was also heavily pursued by Vanderbilt and Duke.

Ranked No. 16 in the ESPN 100, the 6-foot-10 Montgomery was the second-highest-ranked uncommitted prospect in the 2018 class. He averaged 14.1 points and 11.0 rebounds per game for the Atlanta Celtics on the Adidas Gauntlet circuit last spring and summer.

Kentucky now has four five-star prospects in the fold for its 2018 class, as Montgomery joins Keldon Johnson (No. 6), Immanuel Quickley (No. 17) and Tyler Herro (No. 25). The Wildcats and Duke are the only schools in the country with four five-star players in the 2018 class.

Kentucky coach John Calipari will have plenty of depth and versatility in the frontcourt next season. Along with Montgomery down low and Johnson on the wing, Calipari can look to returnees Jarred Vanderbilt, PJ Washington, Nick Richards and Wenyen Gabriel.

The school announced later Monday that forward Sacha Killeya-Jones will transfer and will be granted a full release from his scholarship with no restrictions.

"The past two years at Kentucky have been an amazing journey and I want to thank all of my coaches, teammates and fans who made it possible," Killeya-Jones said in a statement. "After much deliberation with my family, I have decided that it is in my best interest to ask for my release and explore other opportunities at this time. Thank you for your support through this process."

The Wildcats are still looking for another guard in the class, with potential reclassifier Ashton Hagans atop their list.

Kevin Knox has already declared his intentions to enter the NBA draft and hire an agent, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Hamidou Diallo are expected to do the same.