By Keith Taylor

Sun Senior Correspondent

LEXINGTON — Brennan Canada is on campus working out with his future teammates.

The former George Rogers Clark standout joined the Wildcats Monday and is part of the team’s satellite camp stops throughout the state that began Tuesday. Kentucky coach John Calipari welcomed Canada to the team on Monday.

“Joel (Justus) brought him in, and he really wanted to be here, so he’s going to walk on,” he said Tuesday. “I saw him yesterday in the gym, but he’s a big kid, pretty skilled. He’s in a competitive environment.”

Canada averaged 15 points and 9.5 rebounds per game last season averaged double figures throughout his prep career. He scored 1,371 points and grabbed 776 rebounds during his high school career. He was a captain for the Cardinals during the past two years.

The 6-foot-7 forward joins newcomers Johnny Juzang, Tyrese Maxey, Kahlil Whitney, Keion Brooks and Dontaie Allen. Juzang isn’t ye on campus and won’t arrive until after he graduates in two weeks. Calipari said Allen, a recent graduate of Pendleton County High School and the Kentucky Mr. Basketball, was back on the floor Monday.

“He (Allen) was shooting yesterday which was surprising coming off of the car accident and then the knee stuff, which was pretty good,” Calipari said. “We’ve got a good core group and it should be interesting again.”

Canada won’t have an easy task ahead of him. Brad Calipari, who recently graduated in three years, recently entered the transfer portal and is considering is future options with his father’s approval.

“Do you blame him for wanting to play more and with knowing who is here? Has he gotten better? Absolutely, he has gotten better,” Calipari said. “So now, he can look around, and I even told him to look at Division II. What’s wrong with that? Go to a place where you are well coached, where you get a chance, where you are in a good league. You know Division II basketball, they’re just a little smaller, but you’ve got talented guys. He may end up coming back. He’s in the lodge and in classes, so he may come back.”

Canada said last month that he is looking forward to playing for the Wildcats.

“I’m excited to be joining the team,” Canada said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to wear a Kentucky jersey. I look forward to getting to work and chasing my dreams as a part of the Big Blue Nation.”