any talk of koa peat or brayden burries. two highly ranked recruits that havent committed yet.
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- Thread starter bigblue2243
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Zero talk about those guys.
I'd assume no involvement from UK's end.
I'd assume no involvement from UK's end.
I care way more about transfers than I do HS recruits. Very few HS players are going to make a major impact next year and its always a gamble on which ones will. Transfers are more proven against better competition, more mature, and a whole let less risky.
Anyways, my point is, I've stopped paying attention to HS recruiting. Its important to get a few good ones each year but their impact likely wont be seen for 2-3 years.
Anyways, my point is, I've stopped paying attention to HS recruiting. Its important to get a few good ones each year but their impact likely wont be seen for 2-3 years.
Have to think that unless recruits are very regional in their list of schools.. almost anyone is still on the table for Pope. Some of these guys a year ago might have written off Kentucky because of Cal, the style, the preference of top10 recruits, etc. But a new coach changes that. Never know if these guys would be open to coming to UK under a new regime.
Unless you get someone who is rated in the top 5 and shows clear evidence of skills beyond dunking or dominance because they are playing weak High Schools, the days of HS recruits being the primary hope should be over. Yes, try for them of course or one or two that a good scouting indicates potential otherwise getting a proven veteran a step away from a secure NBA contract is the way to go. Those will be the motivated players also physically and experientially more mature.
Just my opinion but I think it's Ament or bust for the '25 class.
If we don't get Nate, his scholly will be used in the portal.
I don’t know if folks consider this part of “recruiting,” but I think the most important thing a coaching staff needs in regard to bringing in freshmen is having an eye for high school talent that can blossom with a little time and development. The best players in CBB are upperclassmen that become All-Americans and All-Conference players – particularly those that have been in the program for multiple years. Teams are winning with roster continuity resulting in some good experienced players coming back. You can get some of that with a multi-year transfer, but I believe you have to build the program foundation with good high school recruiting. I just don’t agree with those who think good high school recruiting is landing the most one-and-done high school kids, rather than smartly building for consistently chasing titles.
Yeah this recruiting class is still sort of a "throw away" for me. A lot of guys already spoken for, and Pope didn't really turn heads until, what, a month ago? Even the 2026 class I still don't think will be a truly 100% full strength class for Pope. But I do think everything opens back up with a new coach.
We do likely need to lean into the portal this year and next, big time. But I'm totally fine taking that recruiting NIL money and going out and buying 3 of the top25 transfers.
Chroix, have you read anything suggesting who this player may be, or maybe just which team he's committed to? I'm guessing not, or you would have said. But thought I would ask just in case.
I do not trust sources that cannot properly structure English sentences.
We made 20 offers. Only offers we made to recruits who committed to another SEC school are PG Darius Acuff Jr. (he isn't coming) and PG Meleek Thomas. Both are committed to Arkansas. Very off chance it could be Auburn CG commit Kaden Magwood (from LOU, but is playing in Charlotte at Combine Academy).
I still call BS though!
If I had to take a guess it would be Ej Walker who is signed with South Carolina. From Kentucky and is a PF.
Good take here. 6'8" 230 lb in-state 3-star PF/SF who might just be waiting for the Wilson (UNC), Ament, Peat market to settle. Not real familiar with this game except for this article:
South Carolina has secured a commitment from a top 150 Rivals player in the 2025 class with today's announcement from Forward EJ Walker. Walker streamed his commitment on Instagram punctuating “I will be taking my talents to the University of South Carolina,” as he grabbed a hat from the podium at Lloyd Memorial High School.
Walker averaged a double-double last season with 16.9 PPG and 11.1 rebounds per game. The 6'8" 225 lb SF chose the Gamecocks over offers from Ohio State, Wisconsin, Purdue and other P5 schools.
Walker becomes the 3rd verbal commit for the 2025 class, joining 4-star social media favorite Eli Ellis from Hickory, NC, and in-state Forward Hayden Assemian from Powdersville High School.
Walker has shown the ability to score inside and also step out and make jump shots and gives a ton of flexibility offensively and defensively as a big man, a common theme we've seen from the 4 position for Lamont Paris during his time at South Carolina.
If anyone would have to play this kind of game with a recruit it would have to be one of the lower tier teams. The top teams would have already said "bye".
A well-reasoned guess is what I was looking for. Thanks!
He would be multi year project and sit in first year at least
But doubt if it is him
I know what you mean. I just about gave up trying to read that linked post because of the horrible English, difficult to understand and made them look far from professional.
Yes, a poorly structured X post that provides no details and only incites wild speculation is worthless in my humble opinion.
We have 3 recruits that are going to get meaningful minutes, possibly big minutes. That's enough for next year. We need older, experienced guys like this year. Just make sure next year, guys can athletically play in the SEC at both ends of the floor.
Well, this is a Kentucky basketball board so would you think maybe basketball? Just teasing.
He averages 11 rebs/gm, to go along with 20 pts/gm & 58% FG% - which I believe are all very nice numbers against pretty good competition in NKY, and also fine numbers for a PF that is consistently listed at 6'8" and 225-230 lbs. Also being from KY adds to his value based on the assumption that it's easier to keep kids from KY on the roster. BUT I would like to know his FT% and 3pt.% (which I didn't yet find) before trying to estimate his potential in my mind, and of course the actual scouting on him by someone that knows basketball a little would be the most important thing in predicting whether he could potentially be a developmental core piece. Again, of course, all this is just an academic exercise that's fun to speculate on since he's already committed.
Edit: 41% 3pt. Got that from a SC sports article written on 1-30-25.
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