Vilarino drops out of Derby Festival Game

Former Kentucky signee G.J. Vilarino has dropped out of the upcoming Derby Festival Game, organizer Dan Owens said Monday night.

Vilarino, a 6-foot point guard from McKinney, Texas, was the first player to commit to UK when Billy Gillispie became coach. He reluctantly severed his ties with UK after speaking to new coach John Calipari last week.

The Derby Festival Game, which is Saturday, will feature UK signees Daniel Orton and Jon Hood.

One of the Memphis signees in limbo, Nolan Dennis, is also scheduled to play in the game. He committed to play in the game long before Calipari left Memphis to become UK coach, Owens said.

Heralded prospect DeMarcus Cousins, who had committed to Memphis, is expected to announce his college choice later this week, Owens said. If the choice is Kentucky, Owens hopes to persuade Cousins to play in the Derby Festival game.