With March quickly approaching and the spring signing period to follow, lets turn our attention to the 2010 recruiting class for a quick update. Here are some of the players that Calipari and the Cats are still hoping to nail down this spring...
Brandon Knight, 6-3 PG, Rivals Rank # 1: There is no secret that Coach Cal has made Knight one of his primary focuses for the 2010 class. John Wall is likely the top pick in the next NBA Draft, creating a spot in the starting lineup that would be a perfect fit for Knight. Knight really hasn't declared a leader at this point, but with Cal's history of point guards, I like our chances. Most believe that it'll come down to Kentucky, Kansas and UConn. Knight may not be as athletic as Wall, but he has clearly separated himself as the top point guard in the class, just ahead of Selby. Knight could commit at any time as his coach has said he might not wait until the end of the season. Plus, he's done with all of his official visits which means a decision could be looming.
Josh Selby, 6-2 PG, Rivals Rank #4: Selby's recruitment has been a bit of a mystery. He committed to Tennessee before changing his mind last summer. When he opened his recruitment back up, most believed he was destined to be a Wildcat. Now, many believe Kansas leads for his services, but like Knight, no one can really say for sure. I think Knight and Selby are both likely waiting on the other's decision. Selby narrowed his school choices down to Kentucky, Kansas, Arizona and UConn, three of which are among the favorites for Knight, as well. I think it'll come down to Kansas and Kentucky. If Knight announces his decision soon, the dominoes will start to fall.
Terrence Jones, 6-8 PF, Rivals Rank #13: As good as John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins are, if Patrick Patterson turns pro after this season, then he will probably leave the biggest void in the line up. Bledsoe can run the point regardless if Knight or Selby comes, and Orton will take Cousins position. Yet, there is no clear replacement for Pat. Jones could be that piece to the puzzle. Jones is an athletic big with a growing skill set and frame. Jones has told multiple people that he likes UK and Coach Cal, however many believe the young man will stay close to home (Oregon) and play in the PAC-10. UCLA, Washington, Oklahoma and Kentucky are among his top choices.
C.J Leslie, 6-7 PF, Rivals Rank #14: Leslie and Jones create a situation similar to Selby and Knight. Both could start at UK on day 1, but maybe not if both choose to play in Lexington. Many recruiting analysts think Leslie is UK's to lose. He plays for Word of God, the high school of our own John Wall. Jerry Meyer still thinks NC State has a chance of signing Leslie, but only if Lowe is retained as coach, which is very unlikely. This leaves Kentucky as his primary choice according to most. I still think we'll get him whether Lowe gets another year at NC State or not.
Doron Lamb, G 6-4, Rivals Rank #21: Lamb is more of a combo guard than either Knight or Selby, but might be a better scorer than either. There hasn't been a lot of buzz around Lamb's recruitment lately and many believe he'll end up in Arizona. Still, with Coach Cal on the job, you probably shouldn't count out UK just yet.
Terrence Ross, G 6-5, Rivals Rank #43: Ross has somehow slipped through the crack a bit. He is an athletic swing man and according to Rivals, has a "sweet shooting stroke." Ross is also considering Duke and Kansas.
There are other recruits that have Kentucky on their radar, and Cal has his sleepers too. I am not sure what will happen or who will end up where, but I have every confidence that Cal will finish out this class in similar fashion as last year. Cal already has one blue chip in Stacey Poole, who has already committed to play for Kentucky. My prediction is that Cal will sign Knight and Leslie to finish out the class. I have no inside information, nor do I pretend to know what will happen, so let's just call it a hunch.
Brandon Knight, 6-3 PG, Rivals Rank # 1: There is no secret that Coach Cal has made Knight one of his primary focuses for the 2010 class. John Wall is likely the top pick in the next NBA Draft, creating a spot in the starting lineup that would be a perfect fit for Knight. Knight really hasn't declared a leader at this point, but with Cal's history of point guards, I like our chances. Most believe that it'll come down to Kentucky, Kansas and UConn. Knight may not be as athletic as Wall, but he has clearly separated himself as the top point guard in the class, just ahead of Selby. Knight could commit at any time as his coach has said he might not wait until the end of the season. Plus, he's done with all of his official visits which means a decision could be looming.
Josh Selby, 6-2 PG, Rivals Rank #4: Selby's recruitment has been a bit of a mystery. He committed to Tennessee before changing his mind last summer. When he opened his recruitment back up, most believed he was destined to be a Wildcat. Now, many believe Kansas leads for his services, but like Knight, no one can really say for sure. I think Knight and Selby are both likely waiting on the other's decision. Selby narrowed his school choices down to Kentucky, Kansas, Arizona and UConn, three of which are among the favorites for Knight, as well. I think it'll come down to Kansas and Kentucky. If Knight announces his decision soon, the dominoes will start to fall.
Terrence Jones, 6-8 PF, Rivals Rank #13: As good as John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins are, if Patrick Patterson turns pro after this season, then he will probably leave the biggest void in the line up. Bledsoe can run the point regardless if Knight or Selby comes, and Orton will take Cousins position. Yet, there is no clear replacement for Pat. Jones could be that piece to the puzzle. Jones is an athletic big with a growing skill set and frame. Jones has told multiple people that he likes UK and Coach Cal, however many believe the young man will stay close to home (Oregon) and play in the PAC-10. UCLA, Washington, Oklahoma and Kentucky are among his top choices.
C.J Leslie, 6-7 PF, Rivals Rank #14: Leslie and Jones create a situation similar to Selby and Knight. Both could start at UK on day 1, but maybe not if both choose to play in Lexington. Many recruiting analysts think Leslie is UK's to lose. He plays for Word of God, the high school of our own John Wall. Jerry Meyer still thinks NC State has a chance of signing Leslie, but only if Lowe is retained as coach, which is very unlikely. This leaves Kentucky as his primary choice according to most. I still think we'll get him whether Lowe gets another year at NC State or not.
Doron Lamb, G 6-4, Rivals Rank #21: Lamb is more of a combo guard than either Knight or Selby, but might be a better scorer than either. There hasn't been a lot of buzz around Lamb's recruitment lately and many believe he'll end up in Arizona. Still, with Coach Cal on the job, you probably shouldn't count out UK just yet.
Terrence Ross, G 6-5, Rivals Rank #43: Ross has somehow slipped through the crack a bit. He is an athletic swing man and according to Rivals, has a "sweet shooting stroke." Ross is also considering Duke and Kansas.
There are other recruits that have Kentucky on their radar, and Cal has his sleepers too. I am not sure what will happen or who will end up where, but I have every confidence that Cal will finish out this class in similar fashion as last year. Cal already has one blue chip in Stacey Poole, who has already committed to play for Kentucky. My prediction is that Cal will sign Knight and Leslie to finish out the class. I have no inside information, nor do I pretend to know what will happen, so let's just call it a hunch.
I think the consensus is we get Knight and Leslie to replace Wall and Patterson, but we could end up with a couple more commitments if we have a few more departures opening up more minutes. If Cousins goes pro, Enes Kanter might be somebody we end up with. Also, if Bledsoe joins Wall I have to believe our chances of landing Selby or Lamb alongside Brandon Knight would look pretty good.
ReplyDeleteKnight isn't a slam dunk by any means, but I think UK makes a ton of sense and Knight is a very smart young man (had like a 4.2 gpa).
I really think Knight and Leslie will be in Wildcat blue next season. I would be surprised to see Selby or Lamb coming to UK. Yet, I did hear that we may be in better shape for Selby then what a lot of people (including me) believe. I am not sure about Jones, he's a toss up.
ReplyDelete