Quentin Grimes on Kentucky

[Eric Bossi]

I just did an extended interview with Quentin Grimes. Kansas, Kentucky, Marquette and Texas are his final four and he talked in detail about each and their in homes. he will take official visits to all four and will have dates locked in very soon. I think UK visit may be the weekend of September 30th but don't hold me to that.

Anyway, here's what he said about Kentucky.

“Coach (John) Calipari feels he can help me reach my dreams and he feels that I’m definitely one of the best guards in the country. He thinks that I could come in there with the other players and that he can help me get better. Their practices stand out because of all the other five star players you go against and that you have to get better because of the competition. They can help me reach my goals."

“I think how strong they have come on is unique. Coach (Kenny) Paine and Coach Cal have been really turning it up and that’s stood out to me. They’ve turned it up over the last month for sure.”

 

[Smashcat]

Interesting.

 

[ThroughBlue]

Duke lock

 

[FrankUnderwood]

Duke must have told him no thanks, otherwise we wouldn't have a fighting chance.

 

[JeffGoodmansVestigialTwin]

Coach K's sloppy seconds. We just get the scraps these days.

 

[GonzoCat90]

Just a heads up, it's Payne, not Paine. Trying to transcribe accurately is a nightmare, I know.

Really interested in this Grimes and Johnson push. Especially with them potentially deciding early, Cal must think Quade and/or SGA have a shot to leave early.

It seems a little unnecessary to do all this just to push IQ to commit even earlier, so I don't think that's what's going on. I guess Cal wants to be two deep at both guard spots, with SGA and Johnson able to play some minutes at the three.

So maybe it's just a versatility thing. Grimes and IQ are both strong off the ball, so if we lose Diallo, Knox, Vanderbilt and Gabriel (I think that's likely) then we can roll with some three guard line ups when Barrett sits or if he goes elsewhere.

 

[JonathanUSAF]

Gonzo, I think Quickley is locked in as the PG for this recruiting class and Calipari would like to utilize Grimes as a CG (much like SGA) or have Johnson run the SG spot. Should we land Quickley and one of the two aforementioned players, it makes me wonder about our SF situation between Williamson and Barrett. I can't see UK landing more than three of the five mentioned in this post.

 

[ukfan2410]

Zion is a college 4. He's not playing the 3 at any School. He's a mismatch 4, who will be impossible to guard at that spot

 

[Bluesnky]

Just a heads up, it's Payne, not Paine. Trying to transcribe accurately is a nightmare, I know.

Really interested in this Grimes and Johnson push. Especially with them potentially deciding early, Cal must think Quade and/or SGA have a shot to leave early.

It seems a little unnecessary to do all this just to push IQ to commit even earlier, so I don't think that's what's going on. I guess Cal wants to be two deep at both guard spots, with SGA and Johnson able to play some minutes at the three.

So maybe it's just a versatility thing. Grimes and IQ are both strong off the ball, so if we lose Diallo, Knox, Vanderbilt and Gabriel (I think that's likely) then we can roll with some three guard line ups when Barrett sits or if he goes elsewhere.

Hypothetically, if you have Barrett as SF and Zion at PF, they can each play 30 minutes per game. You could rotate four other players in the 1-4 positions and they could play something like 30, 25, 25, and 20 minutes. The key is that you have to be comfortable with whoever is guarding the 4 at all times.

Point is, with a couple super versatile guys like Barrett and Zion, you can still accommodate several guards/wings.

 

[wcc31]

Zion is a college 4. He's not playing the 3 at any School. He's a mismatch 4, who will be impossible to guard at that spot

No clue why this is so hard to understand.

 

[Poetax]

Duke lock

Dook will have to have some 5 stars to walk on if they get them all.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I would love to see this class:

G Quickley
G Grimes
G Johnson
F Williamson
F Bol

Williamson would be the focal point of the offense at the 4. With two decent shooters in the backcourt, plus a good slasher at the 3. A 7'3 big man with a jump shot at the 5. Would be very hard to double team Williamson or Bol in the post. Teams would have a tough time playing zone against them with the shooters we should have (Baker and Gilgeous-Alexander should also be in the mix).

That's a pretty near unstoppable team on offense.

On defense, the guards are big enough (6'4-ish to 6'6) to switch onto forwards. Williamson is athletic enough to defend guards. Bol gives us a shotblocker to protect the rim.

That team could be one of the best teams we have had on both ends of the floor.

 

[GonzoCat90]

Hypothetically, if you have Barrett as SF and Zion at PF, they can each play 30 minutes per game. You could rotate four other players in the 1-4 positions and they could play something like 30, 25, 25, and 20 minutes. The key is that you have to be comfortable with whoever is guarding the 4 at all times.

Point is, with a couple super versatile guys like Barrett and Zion, you can still accommodate several guards/wings.

We absolutely can, but Quade, SGA, Baker, IQ, Grimes and Johnson is a lot of guards when you hope to have a player at the 3 who sees 32 minutes a game.

 

[caneintally]

I would love to see this class:

G Quickley
G Grimes
G Johnson
F Williamson
F Bol

Williamson would be the focal point of the offense at the 4. With two decent shooters in the backcourt, plus a good slasher at the 3. A 7'3 big man with a jump shot at the 5. Would be very hard to double team Williamson or Bol in the post. Teams would have a tough time playing zone against them with the shooters we should have (Baker and Gilgeous-Alexander should also be in the mix).

That's a pretty near unstoppable team on offense.

On defense, the guards are big enough (6'4-ish to 6'6) to switch onto forwards. Williamson is athletic enough to defend guards. Bol gives us a shotblocker to protect the rim.

That team could be one of the best teams we have had on both ends of the floor.

I think the class will be Quickley , Grimes at the guards , Barrett and Williamson at the forwards and Shittu and maybe one more big man .

 

[Bluesnky]

We absolutely can, but Quade, SGA, Baker, IQ, Grimes and Johnson is a lot of guards when you hope to have a player at the 3 who sees 32 minutes a game.

Well yeah but we aren't going to have all those guys. Take away Quade and Johnson or Grimes and it works.

 

[sg24]

I think the class will be Quickley , Grimes at the guards , Barrett and Williamson at the forwards and Shittu and maybe one more big man .

This. And call it a day.

 

[bucsrule8872]

I think the class will be Quickley , Grimes at the guards , Barrett and Williamson at the forwards and Shittu and maybe one more big man .

I don't think we get Barrett and Williamson.

 

[TheySoSensitive]

Seems like Grimes/Johnson is a whoever takes it first type deal. Grimes can play 1/2, Johnson can play 2/3. I think we take both in addition to Quickly if we can, seems like Cal is planning on SGA to be gone at this point. Barrett would be locked in at the 3(but would play elsewhere) and Zion would be a 4 who can also play spot time in different places.

My worry with Zion is other teams will lure him in promising time at positions he doesn't belong at for extended minutes. Hope he can see through that, buy into Cal's positionless claim, and realize his success with getting guys drafted AND succeeding at the next level.

 

[Col. Angus]

No clue why this is so hard to understand.

Quickley
Grimes
Barrett
Williamson
Shittu

 

[Fitch44]

Quickley
Grimes
Barrett
Williamson
Shittu

That is the 5 I want. Please sweet baby Jesus make it happen.

 

[Catzman]

No clue why this is so hard to understand.

Because he makes the mistake in dribbling in his videos. Plus people think 6'7 is small. Its not huge, but at 240 pounds with a 92" vertical, he plays big enough to be a college 4. And hell, with the way the NBA is trending, he can do it in the NBA too with multi dimensional guys like draymond green.

 

[KDcats11]

Quickley
Grimes
Barrett
Williamson
Shittu

This is looking more likely by the day. Hope this is the one.

 

[Col. Angus]

This is looking more likely by the day. Hope this is the one.

Grimes is still gonna go to Kansas. Williamson probably too unless Dotson decides he likes the weather in FL better.

 

[Nooneputsbabyinacorner]

This is looking more likely by the day. Hope this is the one.

Grimes is behind Barrett and Johnson on your pecking order and he knows it. Also, there are too many question marks on who is coming back for you next year. You'll have Green, Alexander, Baker (who is not chopped liver) and Quickley guaranteed. Plus you'll likely have one or two of Knox, Diallo or Alexander back too depending on how they play this season. If you strike out on everyone, that puts him in a rotation that already goes 5 or 6 deep with backcourt players.

How many players does Calipari expect to lose?

I'm sticking with my prediction that Grimes, Dotson and Williamson end up at Kansas.

 

[wromanp7]

Grimes is behind Barrett and Johnson on your pecking order and he knows it. Also, there are too many question marks on who is coming back for you next year. You'll have Green, Alexander, Baker (who is not chopped liver) and Quickley guaranteed. Plus you'll likely have one or two of Knox, Diallo or Alexander back too depending on how they play this season. If you strike out on everyone, that puts him in a rotation that already goes 5 or 6 deep with backcourt players.

How many players does Calipari expect to lose?

I'm sticking with my prediction that Grimes, Dotson and Williamson end up at Kansas.

Good. Tears of pussies are good tears.

 

[Col. Angus]

I'm sticking with my prediction that Grimes, Dotson and Williamson end up at Kansas.

I can buy that. Not a betting man, but that seems like a Kansas class (sign shit loads of athletes and highly ranked players and lose somewhere between first weekend and Elite 8).

 

[RondoBaller21]

Quickly
Grimes
Barrett
Williamson
Shittu
Bol

 

[Mike-D]

How many schollies does KU have? They've gotta save a few for incoming transfers.

 

[YaySports]

How many schollies does KU have? They've gotta save a few for incoming transfers.

does Kansas honor your scholly if you end up in jail?

 

[youknowit1]

They can offer 2 scholarships right now. Subject to change if they have tranfers or early entries but for right now they have 11 scholarships taken for next year including there 1 2018 commit.

 

[morgousky]

Grimes is behind Barrett and Johnson on your pecking order and he knows it. Also, there are too many question marks on who is coming back for you next year. You'll have Green, Alexander, Baker (who is not chopped liver) and Quickley guaranteed. Plus you'll likely have one or two of Knox, Diallo or Alexander back too depending on how they play this season. If you strike out on everyone, that puts him in a rotation that already goes 5 or 6 deep with backcourt players.

How many players does Calipari expect to lose?

I'm sticking with my prediction that Grimes, Dotson and Williamson end up at Kansas.

Someone is getting nervous.

 

[Ben101er]

Just a heads up, it's Payne, not Paine. Trying to transcribe accurately is a nightmare, I know.

Really interested in this Grimes and Johnson push. Especially with them potentially deciding early, Cal must think Quade and/or SGA have a shot to leave early.

It seems a little unnecessary to do all this just to push IQ to commit even earlier, so I don't think that's what's going on. I guess Cal wants to be two deep at both guard spots, with SGA and Johnson able to play some minutes at the three.

So maybe it's just a versatility thing. Grimes and IQ are both strong off the ball, so if we lose Diallo, Knox, Vanderbilt and Gabriel (I think that's likely) then we can roll with some three guard line ups when Barrett sits or if he goes elsewhere.

Seems everyone has been surprised, and impressed, with SGA. He may be the one to leave, after one year. Although, I really like Quade, there are few with his size that can go to the league, and as good as he is, he is not Tyler Ulis. He may well make it, but not after one year.

 

[GonzoCat90]

Seems everyone has been surprised, and impressed, with SGA. He may be the one to leave, after one year. Although, I really like Quade, there are few with his size that can go to the league, and as good as he is, he is not Tyler Ulis. He may well make it, but not after one year.

I think of the two, SGA is definitely more likely to leave just because of his physical gifts compared to Quade's limitations. That's why we're seeing Cal pursue a handful of combo guards who can run the show when needed or play alongside a returning PG.

 

[Fitch44]

Others have posted this class, bu the more I read the more I want final class to be

Quickley
Grimes
RJ
Zion
Simi

Please please please

 

[mustnotsleepnow]

Grimes is behind Barrett and Johnson on your pecking order and he knows it. Also, there are too many question marks on who is coming back for you next year. You'll have Green, Alexander, Baker (who is not chopped liver) and Quickley guaranteed. Plus you'll likely have one or two of Knox, Diallo or Alexander back too depending on how they play this season. If you strike out on everyone, that puts him in a rotation that already goes 5 or 6 deep with backcourt players.

The fact that you think one of Diallo or Knox comes back shows how little stock anyone should put in your posts.

 

[Mr_GG]

Current Roster

C. Richards
PF. Washington
SF. Knox
SG. Diallo
PG. Green
6. Vanderbilt
7. SKJ
8. Gabriel
9. Alexander
10. Baker
11. Wynyard

Lose: Washington, Knox, Diallo, Vanderbilt

Next Year's Roster

C. Richards
PF. Williamson
SF. Barrett
SG. Grimes
PG. Quickley/Green
6. Quickley/Green
7. Gabriel
8. SKJ
9. Shittu
10. Baker
11. Wynyard

I feel like Washington, Knox, Diallo, and Vanderbilt will all leave after 1 year. The way Cal is recruiting, it makes you think that he's planning on one of either Green or Alexander to leave. I also think there's a chance to see one of SKJ, Gabriel, or Richards leave as well. I'd love it if we could add the class I have listed above, and while I'm not sure how likely it is at this point, I'd love to add Bol Bol.

 

[railroadkat_1]

No clue why this is so hard to understand.

Zion is gifted enough to play where he wants to on the floor. Coach Cal can do that playing positionless basketball. Perhaps that is why Bol and Shittu are being heavily recruited!

 

[ThroughBlue]

Grimes is behind Barrett and Johnson on your pecking order and he knows it. Also, there are too many question marks on who is coming back for you next year. You'll have Green, Alexander, Baker (who is not chopped liver) and Quickley guaranteed. Plus you'll likely have one or two of Knox, Diallo or Alexander back too depending on how they play this season. If you strike out on everyone, that puts him in a rotation that already goes 5 or 6 deep with backcourt players.

How many players does Calipari expect to lose?

I'm sticking with my prediction that Grimes, Dotson and Williamson end up at Kansas.

You should refrain from posting here or maybe refrain from posting on any college basketball board. This post isn't even worthy of fake praise such as a helms title

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Sounds like if UK makes him a priority, he's a Cat. JMO.

 

[JwUKFan11]

I think this ends up being a 3 man class. Quickley, Barrett or Zion, and Shittu