LeBron is a role model in more ways than one for Kentucky freshman Chris Livingston

With Akron, Ohio, as his hometown, Kentucky freshman Chris Livingston draws basketball comparisons to … you know who.

“LeBron has been a mentor and really been a role model ever since I was a kid,” Livingston said Friday.

Of course, the reference is to future Hall of Famer LeBron James, whose name is mentioned in many discussions about identifying the best basketball player of all time.

When Livingston spoke of James as a mentor, he meant that on a personal level.

“The role model aspect has taken it to the next step,” he said. “Because we have a personal relationship now. He’s been huge in my life and I really appreciate him.”

Bolstering the idea of a close Livingston-James relationship is the UK freshman having a role in the upcoming movie about the NBA All-Star called “Shooting Stars.” Livingston plays a player from a rival school (Buchtel High School, which the UK player actually attended). James attended St. Vincent-St. Mary. The movie being produced by Universal Studios has been in the works since 2018 and is due to be released next year.

Juwan Howard’s son, Jett, plays a young Carmelo Anthony. James is played by Marquis “Mookie” Cook, a five-star prospect in the high school class of 2023.

When playfully asked if his character outplays the James character in the movie, Livingston said, “I actually do.”

The obvious follow-up question was how it felt to outplay the pseudo James.

“You know, it’s great being a part of something like that,” Livingston said.

Livingston, who had no previous acting experience, has a couple lines of dialogue. But he said he should not reveal his lines.

Livingston, who has been listed at 6-foot-6 and 200 pounds, cited two other players when asked about players he could be compared to.

“A lot of people say Jaylen Brown or Paul George …,” he said in reference to the Boston Celtics’ standout and the seven-time All-Star with the Los Angeles Clippers. “Wings that are skilled, that play hard, that play both sides of the ball.”

George is the reason he wears No. 24, Livingston said. “He’s a player I’ve looked up to since I was a little kid.”

Playing for a high-profile program like Kentucky’s, Livingston is aware that he might be the “shooting star” that future players will try to emulate.

“It’s amazing …,” he said. “I’m humbled to say I’m a high-profile guy coming out of high school. It’s always been a blessing to be playing the sport that you love, and always been inspiring without even knowing it. … You really represent something bigger than yourself. And that’s why I’m really glad to be part of Kentucky.”

Livingston’s twin brother, Cordell, will be on the Kentucky State team. He’s scheduled to arrive on July 1. “We’re as close as you can imagine,” he said.

Cordell’s height is listed at 6-foot. While Livingston starred at Oak Hill Academy this past season (18.2 points and 9.1 rebounds), Cordell did not play much.

Oak Hill’s retiring coach, Kentuckian Steve Smith, said rival recruiters wooed the twins as a package deal. But Cordell did not visit UK with Chris.

Livingston, who averaged 31.1 points and 15.8 rebounds as a junior for Buchtel High School, said Oak Hill gave him a taste of the heightened importance of strength and conditioning for a basketball player. That’s in addition to more challenging competition.

“Having more workouts per day, not just skill work but as a team, really got me prepared for Kentucky,” he said.

Livingston said he could play small forward or shooting guard. He said he handled the ball more at Oak Hill than he’s expected to for Kentucky.

“Not so much on the ball,” he said of the role he expects for UK, “because we have a lot of guards.”

In these early workouts, he has gone against such players as Jacob Toppin and transfer Antonio Reeves, Livingston said. He welcomed the idea of being described as a physical player. He said that description fits fellow freshman Cason Wallace.

“Oh yeah, definitely, definitely,” he said. “I don’t think that ever goes away. … especially with me and Cason already having grown men’s bodies.”

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