Cousins joins Calipari at UK

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Forward DeMarcus Cousins has signed a national letter of intent to play at Kentucky, the first one secured by new coach John Calipari.

Cousins had previously committed to play for Calipari at Memphis, but now is joining the Wildcats since Calipari was hired earlier this month to replace Billy Gillispie.

Rivals.com has ranked the Mobile, Ala., senior as the top power forward in the country. He averaged 26 points and 12 rebounds this year in leading his high school team to the state semifinals.

Along with Cousins, Kentucky announced Jon Hood of Madisonville, Ky., and Daniel Orton of Oklahoma City as members of the signing class.

A service of the Associated Press(AP)