A lot of fun being able to watch some top talent in Indy this weekend. Special thanks to Derek Terry for making the trip, too. His first taste of basketball recruiting coverage. Not sure if he hated it or loved it. It can be overwhelming.
Let's get to today's notes.
Marques Bolden: There's a part of me that every week I write his name I think to myself "This will be the last time I have to do this while he's an uncommitted player." But then the more cynical part of me realizes I'm going to be writing about uncommitted Marques Bolden until my late 70s.
So another week I go.
I don't have any new inside information from UK, or even people close to Duke, for this week. The scuttlebutt I heard in Indy is that UK leads and I heard a 1,000 different reasons as to why he hasn't picked the Cats, or Duke if in-fact UK doesn't lead.
Some of those reasons (not saying these are factual, just rumors):
1. Waiting for a scholarship to officially open up at UK.
2. Planning a special ceremony and wants ESPN on board.
3. He's still torn.
4. Parents haven't given him their blessing yet.
5. Realizes the hype is better for his brand.
My guess, and it's just a guess, is we have an announcement this week. When we have a set date I'll be able to check in and see how Kentucky feels. My guess is still Kentucky but that's because I haven't heard anythign that would make me change my mind.
2017: Just as a preface to more notes on the 2017 kids, I think UK is going to be just fine. We all know there's going to be a mass-exodus after this year an Kentucky's going to have to land a big class, but I don't see that as being an issue.
Being able to talk to a handful of UK's targets and talking to people close to them, I think UK is in a good position for several and still in the running for several more.
For those players with an offer from UK-
I think UK leads for:
Trae Young
John Petty
Nick Richards
UK is in a good spot for:
DeAndre Ayton
Hamidou Diallo
Gary Trent Jr.
Jarred Vanderbilt
P.J. Washington
Unclear but UK's not in a bad spot:
Kevin Knox
Michael Porter Jr.
Tremont Waters
Mohamed Bamba
Confident UK won't land:
Wendell Carter
There are players that haven't yet received an offer from UK that I think will that Kentucky could also land. Recruiting is ever-changing but the Cats will land a few of those first eight names.
Porter Jr.: It was the first time in a while I've spoken with him and it seems like UK has done a solid job in his recruitment. I don't think he grew up a UK fan but he does know about Kentucky's NBA success and while the Cats may not be his favorite, it may be one of those package deal schools that he'll go to just to play with Trae Young, who I think really prefers UK. Think of Tyus Jones and Jahlil Okafor. Jones was going to Duke regardless. If Okafor wanted the package deal to happen he was going to have to be a Blue Devil. Okafor liked Duke just fine. Maybe wasn't his no-brainer choice, but with Jones going there it was enough.
Ayton: I really feel for this kid. He doesn't understand why schools are ignoring him and it has nothing to do with his game. He's an awesome player that could make a huge impact at the next level but the eligibility concerns are going to be with him until he's in the NBA. I don't know if there's even a quick fix for him but it's going to be interesting to see if changes schools. Really talented kid that hasn't had the best guidance.
Petty: It's as clear as day this kid wants to commit to UK. What will be interesting is if the Cats start to slow play him since they know they're in a good spot. If I were Calipari I'd try to lock up a commitment ASAP, although Petty said he would take his visits despite only two schools recruiting him, but Calipari might want to pool Petty in with other players and have Petty wait to not scare off other guards/wings.
Bamba: It seems that many considered UK on the outside looking in on this recruitment but the vibe I received in Indy was positive. I think UK is going to have a fighting chance in this recruitment. He seemed open to UK and was aware of Calipari's success with sending guys to the pros and how many successful bigs he's coached. That's a positive sign. Bamba was easily the best player I saw this weekend.
I'll have more on individual performances and scouting, plus a guy who really impressed me that UK isn't recruiting later in the week.
Let's get to today's notes.
Marques Bolden: There's a part of me that every week I write his name I think to myself "This will be the last time I have to do this while he's an uncommitted player." But then the more cynical part of me realizes I'm going to be writing about uncommitted Marques Bolden until my late 70s.
So another week I go.
I don't have any new inside information from UK, or even people close to Duke, for this week. The scuttlebutt I heard in Indy is that UK leads and I heard a 1,000 different reasons as to why he hasn't picked the Cats, or Duke if in-fact UK doesn't lead.
Some of those reasons (not saying these are factual, just rumors):
1. Waiting for a scholarship to officially open up at UK.
2. Planning a special ceremony and wants ESPN on board.
3. He's still torn.
4. Parents haven't given him their blessing yet.
5. Realizes the hype is better for his brand.
My guess, and it's just a guess, is we have an announcement this week. When we have a set date I'll be able to check in and see how Kentucky feels. My guess is still Kentucky but that's because I haven't heard anythign that would make me change my mind.
2017: Just as a preface to more notes on the 2017 kids, I think UK is going to be just fine. We all know there's going to be a mass-exodus after this year an Kentucky's going to have to land a big class, but I don't see that as being an issue.
Being able to talk to a handful of UK's targets and talking to people close to them, I think UK is in a good position for several and still in the running for several more.
For those players with an offer from UK-
I think UK leads for:
Trae Young
John Petty
Nick Richards
UK is in a good spot for:
DeAndre Ayton
Hamidou Diallo
Gary Trent Jr.
Jarred Vanderbilt
P.J. Washington
Unclear but UK's not in a bad spot:
Kevin Knox
Michael Porter Jr.
Tremont Waters
Mohamed Bamba
Confident UK won't land:
Wendell Carter
There are players that haven't yet received an offer from UK that I think will that Kentucky could also land. Recruiting is ever-changing but the Cats will land a few of those first eight names.
Porter Jr.: It was the first time in a while I've spoken with him and it seems like UK has done a solid job in his recruitment. I don't think he grew up a UK fan but he does know about Kentucky's NBA success and while the Cats may not be his favorite, it may be one of those package deal schools that he'll go to just to play with Trae Young, who I think really prefers UK. Think of Tyus Jones and Jahlil Okafor. Jones was going to Duke regardless. If Okafor wanted the package deal to happen he was going to have to be a Blue Devil. Okafor liked Duke just fine. Maybe wasn't his no-brainer choice, but with Jones going there it was enough.
Ayton: I really feel for this kid. He doesn't understand why schools are ignoring him and it has nothing to do with his game. He's an awesome player that could make a huge impact at the next level but the eligibility concerns are going to be with him until he's in the NBA. I don't know if there's even a quick fix for him but it's going to be interesting to see if changes schools. Really talented kid that hasn't had the best guidance.
Petty: It's as clear as day this kid wants to commit to UK. What will be interesting is if the Cats start to slow play him since they know they're in a good spot. If I were Calipari I'd try to lock up a commitment ASAP, although Petty said he would take his visits despite only two schools recruiting him, but Calipari might want to pool Petty in with other players and have Petty wait to not scare off other guards/wings.
Bamba: It seems that many considered UK on the outside looking in on this recruitment but the vibe I received in Indy was positive. I think UK is going to have a fighting chance in this recruitment. He seemed open to UK and was aware of Calipari's success with sending guys to the pros and how many successful bigs he's coached. That's a positive sign. Bamba was easily the best player I saw this weekend.
I'll have more on individual performances and scouting, plus a guy who really impressed me that UK isn't recruiting later in the week.
