New new Rivals 2016 rankings

[jrpross]

They were updated a few days ago but with few significant changes. These actually seem pretty decent. Jackson, Giles, Tatum at 1-3. Changes seem to be fairly consistent with other sites.

5. Fox
6. Monk
9. Alkins
11. Bridges
16. Bolden
17. Gabriel
19. Simmons
26. SKJ (although still with 5*)

http://sports.yahoo.com/kentucky/basketball/recruiting/rankings/rank-rivals150/2016

 

[EclipsingYou]

In my opinion, Monk and Simmons are locks at this point (S-W-E-E-T, A-S-S). SKJ has already committed (HALLELUJAH). That leaves 2 more spots to fill from the remaining list, IMO.

My random ass guess on the order of "sign-ability":
1. Simmons
2. Monk
*Small Gap*
3. Fox
4. Bolden
5. Bridges
6. Alkins
7. Gabriel

I fully expect us to end up with yet another class of at least 5 5* All-American type players to replace the "probable" departing players (Poythress, Skal, Murray, Briscoe, Lee).

We are so freaking spoiled and I am loving every second of it.

Take any combination of those 4 players, plus SKJ, and add them to who we are "mostly" expecting to return in JR - Ullis, SR - Mulder, SO - Matthews, FR/SO - Wynyard, SO - Humphries, SR - Hawkins, and SR - Willis, and I can confidently say that I would not trade rosters with any other team in the nation. Just like I have been able to say basically every single year since 2009. Ha ha!

Heck, if we had a team consisting of a JR - Ullis, SO - Matthews, SR - Mulder, SR - Willis, and FR/SO - Wynyard with SO - Humphries and SR - Hawkins coming off the bench (Just an example lineup) in the Tubby years, we would all be ECSTATIC and talking about how great of a team we have returning! Such a dramatic shift in a short time frame is beyond believable.

 

[Blue Decade]

In my opinion, Monk and Simmons are locks at this point (S-W-E-E-T, A-S-S). SKJ has already committed (HALLELUJAH). That leaves 2 more spots to fill from the remaining list, IMO.

My random ass guess on the order of "sign-ability":
1. Simmons
2. Monk
*Small Gap*
3. Fox
4. Bolden
5. Bridges
6. Alkins
7. Gabriel

I fully expect us to end up with yet another class of at least 5 5* All-American type players to replace the "probable" departing players (Poythress, Skal, Murray, Briscoe, Lee).

Without a huge improvement, Lee will be back here for his 4th year. Contrary to what some people think, NBA GMs will not draft a skinny, foul prone forward with no scoring skills after his 3rd year. Lee is an excellent rebounder and shot blocker, might make it to the NBA after 4 years. I think Monk eventually signs with us, but he isn't a lock. Simmons is less likely, now that he has pushed back his announcement. That happened because of Fox. Monk, Fox, and Bridges are coming to BBM. Calipari wants them, and the tea leaves are saying they want Kentucky. Giles also coming to BBM but getting him away from Duke will be tough. Calipari's chances of getting Gabriel slumped when Killeya-Jones committed. Counting Wynyard, I think we sign 6-7 in this class. Using your order signability scale, I see it this way.
1. Wynyard
2. Killeya-Jones
3. Fox
4. Monk
5. Bridges
6. Bolden
7. Alkins
8. Simmons
9. Allen
10. Giles
11. Gabriel
12. Maker

 

[W_Heisenberg]

Without a huge improvement, Lee will be back here for his 4th year. Contrary to what some people think, NBA GMs will not draft a skinny, foul prone forward with no scoring skills after his 3rd year. Lee is an excellent rebounder and shot blocker, might make it to the NBA after 4 years. I think Monk eventually signs with us, but he isn't a lock. Simmons is less likely, now that he has pushed back his announcement. That happened because of Fox. Monk, Fox, and Bridges are coming to BBM. Calipari wants them, and the tea leaves are saying they want Kentucky. Giles also coming to BBM but getting him away from Duke will be tough. Calipari's chances of getting Gabriel slumped when Killeya-Jones committed. Counting Wynyard, I think we sign 6-7 in this class. Using your order signability scale, I see it this way.
1. Wynyard
2. Killeya-Jones
3. Fox
4. Monk
5. Bridges
6. Bolden
7. Alkins
8. Simmons
9. Allen
10. Giles
11. Gabriel
12. Maker

Totally agree with Lee statement, for some reason a lot of people here count him as gone..at this point Ullis is much more likely to leave than Lee. Not saying he couldn't, but he has a lot to prove and no one can predict that will happen based on what we've seen so far.

People bitch about DJ going early, he was 5x the prospect Lee is.

 

[KyFord]

I think Bridges should be ranked higher than 11, I actually think he is a top 5 talent. This class is so deep though so I guess it isn't a big deal.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Totally agree with Lee statement, for some reason a lot of people here count him as gone..at this point Ullis is much more likely to leave than Lee. Not saying he couldn't, but he has a lot to prove and no one can predict that will happen based on what we've seen so far.

People bitch about DJ going early, he was 5x the prospect Lee is.

I hope you guys are right, but I could see Lee leaving after this season, even though he probably won't get drafted. The truth is, he probably won't ever get drafted. So what is his incentive to stay?

Lee will probably have enough classes to graduate after this year. Unless he thinks he can make significant improvements in his Senior year to get him drafted, then there is no reason to play for free for another year. He can go overseas or play in the NBADL and get paid.

 

[W_Heisenberg]

I hope you guys are right, but I could see Lee leaving after this season, even though he probably won't get drafted. The truth is, he probably won't ever get drafted. So what is his incentive to stay?

Lee will probably have enough classes to graduate after this year. Unless he thinks he can make significant improvements in his Senior year to get him drafted, then there is no reason to play for free for another year. He can go overseas or play in the NBADL and get paid.

I see what you are saying, and it's a complete "who the eff knows" right now but that's always the legit question - am I better off taking my chances with 2nd round and trying to make a team, if I will never be lottery or first-round lock material?

I don't think Lee fits in that mold today and disagree that he probably will never get drafted; he's very athletic and just needs to polish off some offensive skills (which is easier to do than vice versa). Defense is there, which is huge. I haven't seen enough of that to say he can do it consistently and comfortably this year to get in a position where it would be really dumb to stay, but Cal has commented on how well he expect Lee to play and he's seen more than all of us combined so we'll see. Unlike the Harrisons, Lamb, DJ, etc...I think he has a chance to work himself into a mid-late first round selection at some point, I just personally can't say/assume it will for sure be after this year.

It's all up to him, but I can say he has a great attitude and is a tremendous young man...very smart and hard working.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I see what you are saying, and it's a complete "who the eff knows" right now but that's always the legit question - am I better off taking my chances with 2nd round and trying to make a team, if I will never be lottery or first-round lock material?

I don't think Lee fits in that mold today and disagree that he probably will never get drafted; he's very athletic and just needs to polish off some offensive skills (which is easier to do than vice versa). Defense is there, which is huge. I haven't seen enough of that to say he can do it consistently and comfortably this year to get in a position where it would be really dumb to stay, but Cal has commented on how well he expect Lee to play and he's seen more than all of us combined so we'll see. Unlike the Harrisons, Lamb, DJ, etc...I think he has a chance to work himself into a mid-late first round selection at some point, I just personally can't say/assume it will for sure be after this year.

It's all up to him, but I can say he has a great attitude and is a tremendous young man...very smart and hard working.

There is also the issue of who else will be in our front court. Does he stick around and compete with stud Freshmen like Bolden and/or Giles, etc?

 

[brianpoe]

If he doesn't graduate this year, I could definitely see Marcus staying for the degree.

 

[Aike]

I hope you guys are right, but I could see Lee leaving after this season, even though he probably won't get drafted. The truth is, he probably won't ever get drafted. So what is his incentive to stay?

Lee will probably have enough classes to graduate after this year. Unless he thinks he can make significant improvements in his Senior year to get him drafted, then there is no reason to play for free for another year. He can go overseas or play in the NBADL and get paid.

I think there is a high probability that Lee gets drafted.

 

[brianpoe]

I think there is a high probability that Lee gets drafted.

He would have to improve a lot to get close to the first round though.

 

[Aike]

He would have to improve a lot to get close to the first round though.

I agree. He's projected first round right now, but I think that's projecting more playing time and improved play.

Those of us who have watched him for 2 years know he has a lot of work to do. However, his athleticism alone would be worth taking a flyer on him in the second round.