If Diallo returns & Bamba chooses UK - best recruiting class ever?

[EclipsingYou]

The only comparison that can be made at this point is with other recruiting classes based on what they did before college. You can't ding this current group for not having any NBA All Stars on it. Of course, we all realize they haven't even played a game for UK yet.

Going by the rankings of all previous recruiting classes, and judging strictly on that alone, adding Diallo and Bamba makes this class the best ever and EXTREMELY hard to beat.

Remember, part of the reason this class could even happen is that a grand total of 3 scholarship players are returning. That's rare, even for Calipari at UK. Because of that we have 10 scholarships available and basically all of the playing time available to whoever comes.

It is a unique situation. Even for Cal at UK. That will make this class hard for anyone to beat for a long time, IMO.

3-Bamba
9-Knox
10-Diallo
14-Richards
14-Washington
20-Vanderbilt
23-Green
43-Skai
83-Baker

5 of the top 14 and 7 of the top 23 recruits about says it all.

 

[weatherbird]

As others have said, it all depends on what metric you are going to use to determine that. Some people will not consider it, just because it lacks star power on the surface. Then there are others that believe that none of it matters if you don't win a title. But if you look at it from a pure quality and quantity aspect with respect to their rankings, then it has to be, provided Bamba and Diallo are here. 2014 was a class where really only Towns was considered a star, and 2 of the 4 were considered at least 2 year players. It wasn't great, but turned out great, and fit in with what we had returning. 2011 had a couple of stars, but was a pretty small class, with again 2 of the 4 being considered multiple year players. Both classes lost 3 of the 4 to the NBA after one year. Both classes had the benefit of playing with returning players, which helped in their seasons.

If star power is what you are looking for, then the 2011 has to be the best. 2009 would be right behind it. And I'm not sure the 2011 class could be topped by anyone. However, Cal basically had to replace his whole roster, and at this point has basically done that. With Bamba and Diallo, he will have replaced his roster, plus added a bench, all with one class.

 

[EclipsingYou]

The 2013 class did have 6 of the top 18, but I'd give the nod to this year's class on sheer quantity. 7 of the top 24 along with #43 & #83.

That's 9 players that could have went to dang near 25 P5 schools and been their highest rated recruit, but instead decided (Hopefully!) to come play for Cal. That's amazing.

Even if we don't get both Bamba and Diallo, it might not be the best ever, but it is a whole hell of a lot better than I was expecting after our max exodus.

I wonder if Charles Matthews looks at the fact only 3 players returned to UK and if he had only stuck around 1 more year, He'd be pencilled into a crap load of lineups at the 2 had he continued to imorove. Plus, add in the fact that he would be the wily veteran on a team full of FR. I wish the Matthews transfer woukdve been covered better... Really thought he was a talent...

 

[Bkocats]

Win it all then discuss it. Without a championship it is hard to state GOAT...in anything.

^ this
like most, I'm excited about this incoming class
But we also all know how things can sometimes not work out (individual player or team issues), for whatever reason.

 

[bthaunert]

IMO, the only way to evaluate a recruiting class prior to stepping foot on campus is rankings. To me, the best, and perfect class position by position was 2013 (using Rivals):

#1 ranked PF - Julius Randle (#2 overall)
#1 ranked PG - Andrew Harrison (#5 overall)
#1 ranked SG - Aaron harrison (#7 overall)
#2 ranked C - Dakari Johnson - (#9 overall)
#3 ranked SF - James Young (#11 overall)
#4 ranked SF - Marcus Lee (#19 overall)

Add in Derek Willis and Dominique Hawkins

 

[npreston]

You sound like Fran Fra-KansasShill-a doing a Jayhawks game

 

[LineSkiCat14]

'13 is tough to beat on paper... but I don't see how '17 doesn't turn out to be more talented.

However, if we're adding in the concept of which players are better, ranking aside.. 2010 is still the one to beat. Bledsoe, Wall, Cousins are all high-level players, and average out to be an all-star quality trio..

 

[FredTX]

'13 is tough to beat on paper... but I don't see how '17 doesn't turn out to be more talented.

However, if we're adding in the concept of which players are better, ranking aside.. 2010 is still the one to beat. Bledsoe, Wall, Cousins are all high-level players, and average out to be an all-star quality trio..

I would think that any such comparison would have to include the class that Joe B brought in during the '70s that included Sam Bowie.

 

[Ocornett]

What in the Hell is wrong with everyone. This will end up being Cal's best class ever period done deal and that is talent and depth wise. Knox, Bamba, Vanderbilt/Washington, Green, Diallo/Alexander, Richardson, SKJ, WG, and Baker. This is what I see. Oh! did I forget to mention that I see and hear things no one else can. No Lottery Number Jokes Please. Knox will be a monster from the 3, baseline and down under, Bamba will be a swatter and scorer under the basic with a 3 everyone now and then, Alexander and Baker are shooters ( Bet you didn't know that Alexander can shoot), Green floor general and drives to the basket, Washington and Vanderbilt rebounders and shooters down low, SKJ and WG drastically improved rebounders WG shooter and rebounder. We are going to be AWESOME. May start out a little shaky because of the youth. I can see this team improving every game. They just need to learn to play together and learn each others habits. Once they put this together teams will be sucking down our dust. We win the SEC, SEC tournament, #1 seed big dance, Win Number 9. Call me crazy or call me whatever just don't call me after 8:00 p.m.. I live in a beautiful world full of BBNM, Wildcats and beautiful women. Oh! I almost forgot Bud Select. Love and Peace Brother's. UK forever Duke and RAT FACE NEvvvvvERRRRRRRRRRRRR.

 

[CatCall]

They need to go back to Freshman ineligible rules so we could more accurately compare... This was our last undefeated team!

 

[bthaunert]

'13 is tough to beat on paper... but I don't see how '17 doesn't turn out to be more talented.

However, if we're adding in the concept of which players are better, ranking aside.. 2010 is still the one to beat. Bledsoe, Wall, Cousins are all high-level players, and average out to be an all-star quality trio..

Do you remember all of the talk about the 13 class prior to the them stepping on the court? That is why it's dangerous to start predicting how good they will be. People were buying 40-0 shirts based on a recruiting class. Rankings wise, I think it's 13. NBA wise, the Wall, Boogie, Bledsoe class will be hard to beat, but I could see the 14 class of KAT, Booker, Ulis class being special in the NBA for the long haul too.