Skal to #3

[Dutycat]

Maybe I missed it...Not sure when it happened or why, but ESPN/Recruitingnation.com has now moved:

Skal from #11 to #3
Briscoe stays at #13
Mathews from #44 to #42


This post was edited on 1/21 8:19 AM by Dutycat

This post was edited on 1/21 6:30 AM by Dutycat

 

[thecatsareback#8]

I have no inside information since I have not seen him play, but I recall reading that Skal may end up best in the class much the same way as Anthony Davis shot up in the rankings late. Cal has a master eye for talent.

 

[Rhavicc]

I'm very excited to get the young man. He's a baller, and he genuinely wants to be at UK, he loves him some 'Cats. After going through what he's been through in his life, I'm very happy to see him being rewarded for his success and hard work.

 

[ThroughBlue]

Originally posted by thecatsareback#8:


I have no inside information since I have not seen him play, but I recall reading that Skal may end up best in the class much the same way as Anthony Davis shot up in the rankings late. Cal has a master eye for talent.

If he jumps Simmons that is saying a lot

 

[Cawood86]

Just afraid the NCAA will give UK no chance to let him play.

 

[Rhavicc]

Originally posted by Cawood86:
Just afraid the NCAA will give UK no chance to let him play.

It's nothing the NCAA hasn't seen before. A lot of foreign kids on the AAU circuit have similar problems with "caring guardians" in the US trying to take advantage of a kid.
I'm betting that he'll get to play though.

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

Haven't really looked at his clips before, but I was surprised because I thought he was this gangly, super-skinny lerch type kid. He looks very smooth shooting, dribbling, passing, and dunking. Very excited after seeing a few clips.

 

[Runnin'Ramel]

Nobody will pass Simmons for the top spot this year.

Matthews has really improved his offensive game this season, so I'm a little surprised he didn't make a bigger jump. From 44 to 42 is nothing.

 

[Rhavicc]

Well the last player we had ranked in that area turned into what is now known as WCS, so that's fine and dandy with me lol.

 

[zoid1]

Skal- will be listed around 6-11 220 at UK will be a very good player next year for us. I dont think he is a Davis yet on defense but he is probably about the same or even a little better on offense at this point in his career. Either way we still have 2 long rim protectors in Lee and Skal next year plus probably another big body down low in Poythress. Who knows maybe Dakari or WCS comes back too for a nice 4 man rotation at the 4 and 5.

Briscoe- will be listed around 6-4 215 next year at UK and with Ulis back should give us a great 1-2 punch at PG. Ulis the small, quick guy and Briscoe the big, strong guy.

Matthews- will be listed around 6-6 205 next year at UK and is a true type wing we dont have this year. That means we can move Poythress back down to the 4 were he is much more capable then the 3 IMO.

 

[davekersey]

If you haven't seen him play yet, be prepared for a pleasant surprise. What he can do very well is shoot the rock all the way to 20 feet, but especially proficient with the Nowitski step back jumper from fifteen and in. He even has the leg kick like Dirk. If he can go for 30 minutes in Cal's system, he'll bag many a twenty plus point games.

 

[Kycatspaws]

Congratulations to Skal Labissiere, who jumped from #11 to #3 in ESPN's latest 2015 recruiting rankings[/B]. The UK signee is now considered the best center of the class by ESPN, ahead of Diamond Stone, Caleb Swanigan, and Stephen Zimmerman. Fellow signees Isaiah Briscoe came in at #13 and Charles Matthews at #42. With several cards still on the table, the Cats have the #1 class in the country.




Labissiere Goes Off For 33 In Front of Kentucky Cr

 

[caneintally]

Originally posted by Kycatspaws:
Congratulations to Skal Labissiere, who jumped from #11 to #3 in ESPN's latest 2015 recruiting rankings[/B]. The UK signee is now considered the best center of the class by ESPN, ahead of Diamond Stone, Caleb Swanigan, and Stephen Zimmerman. Fellow signees Isaiah Briscoe came in at #13 and Charles Matthews at #42. With several cards still on the table, the Cats have the #1 class in the country.

whats funny is i think we might get 3 of those 4 players listed . Zimmerman is a Cat all the way IMO and if we miss on Maker i think we add Swanigan or Diallo .

 

[BoulderCat]

Signing the dotted line for UK probably didn't hurt. Cal must know something, right? Kidding aside, he does. Everyone of his big time recruits has lived up to expectations to one degree or another. Yea the twin's didn't conquer the world last year or this, but they sure have a way of stepping up when we really need them. And Alex hasn't either, but he's still a very, very good player. So it's pretty simple, no need to watch vids and read up, if Cal wants them so do I.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

There's less smoke surrounding Skal than there was with Bledsoe, Noel, Boatright, Selby, and Muhammed. All of them played.

He will play at UK.

 

[.S&C.]

I completely disagree that there's "less smoke"all together in that group you name. "Different smoke" is what I'd categorize it as.

We will see what happens, but with the ncaa, I have my fingers crossed.

As far as his game goes, he's smooth. I've seen him in person many times in memphis. Remember this is the young man that memphis fans thought was their savior for the past 2 years. He's no anthony Davis and I'm not sure why people keep using those comparisons. To me they have much different games. I love the kids touch and size with the ability to create.

 

[Catzilla_]

Originally posted by Kycatspaws:
Congratulations to Skal Labissiere, who jumped from #11 to #3 in ESPN's latest 2015 recruiting rankings[/B]. The UK signee is now considered the best center of the class by ESPN, ahead of Diamond Stone, Caleb Swanigan, and Stephen Zimmerman. Fellow signees Isaiah Briscoe came in at #13 and Charles Matthews at #42. With several cards still on the table, the Cats have the #1 class in the country.

...good stuff. also a great passer for a big man. i particularly enjoyed the behind the back bounce pass in the lane...i had to back that one up a few times....the result of good communication between him and the teammate who received the pass.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Originally posted by .S&C.:
I completely disagree that there's "less smoke"all together in that group you name. "Different smoke" is what I'd categorize it as.

We will see what happens, but with the ncaa, I have my fingers crossed.

As far as his game goes, he's smooth. I've seen him in person many times in memphis. Remember this is the young man that memphis fans thought was their savior for the past 2 years. He's no anthony Davis and I'm not sure why people keep using those comparisons. To me they have much different games. I love the kids touch and size with the ability to create.

What's the smoke with Skal?



I've yet to encounter anyone who could explain a tangible infraction without using ambiguous assumptions. He's academically eligible. They've taken no benefits. His guardian asked around for benefits. That doesn't = ineligibility.


I'd look for someone to randomly give me $5,000 before I'd look for the NCAA to persecute an innocent earthquake victim from Haiti. Good luck with that, Indianapolis.


This post was edited on 1/22 7:40 PM by Son_Of_Saul

 

[BlueBlood66]

Originally posted by Son_Of_Saul:

Originally posted by .S&C.:
I completely disagree that there's "less smoke"all together in that group you name. "Different smoke" is what I'd categorize it as.

We will see what happens, but with the ncaa, I have my fingers crossed.

As far as his game goes, he's smooth. I've seen him in person many times in memphis. Remember this is the young man that memphis fans thought was their savior for the past 2 years. He's no anthony Davis and I'm not sure why people keep using those comparisons. To me they have much different games. I love the kids touch and size with the ability to create.

What's the smoke with Skal?


I've to encounter anyone who could explain a tangible infraction without using ambiguous assumptions. He's academically eligible. They've taken no benefits. His guardian asked around for benefits. That doesn't = ineligibility.


I'd look for someone to randomly give me $5,000 before I'd look for the NCAA to persecute an innocent earthquake victim from Haiti. Good luck with that, Indianapolis.

I believe that would be the smoke.

Have you heard of the NCAA before?

 

[stenchymouse]

Originally posted by Son_Of_Saul:

Originally posted by .S&C.:
I completely disagree that there's "less smoke"all together in that group you name. "Different smoke" is what I'd categorize it as.

We will see what happens, but with the ncaa, I have my fingers crossed.

As far as his game goes, he's smooth. I've seen him in person many times in memphis. Remember this is the young man that memphis fans thought was their savior for the past 2 years. He's no anthony Davis and I'm not sure why people keep using those comparisons. To me they have much different games. I love the kids touch and size with the ability to create.

What's the smoke with Skal?


I've to encounter anyone who could explain a tangible infraction without using ambiguous assumptions. He's academically eligible. They've taken no benefits. His guardian asked around for benefits. That doesn't = ineligibility.


I'd look for someone to randomly give me $5,000 before I'd look for the NCAA to persecute an innocent earthquake victim from Haiti. Good luck with that, Indianapolis.

It's all based on "rumors around the city of Memphis"...

There's no way that Cal would touch this kid if his guardian asked for money.

If his guardian actually "took" money from someone then Skal wouldn't have signed with UK...

He'd be signed with whoever had paid the money.

 

[qwesley]

DK is great, but smh at another Dirk comp. We heard the same thing about Towns last year.

And foolhardy to not have any concern that the NCAA would at least sit on the case deep into the fall.

 

[davekersey]

Originally posted by qwesley:
DK is great, but smh at another Dirk comp. We heard the same thing about Towns last year.

And foolhardy to not have any concern that the NCAA would at least sit on the case deep into the fall.

Not saying Skal has the game of Nowitski, but he does have a shot that looks like Nowitski's. I think you'll see that reminder when he fades, kicks one leg out, and scores from fifteen. Nowitski-like.

 

[WallMashKyBall]

The little I've seen him he reminds me of Lyles. Good kid. Soft spoken kid. well rounded game. But someone who might not play bigger than their size. I sometimes wish Lyles had a little bit more Big cuz nasty in him. Just a little bit, not full on Montez Harrell roid rage. But a bit more grrrrrrr.

 

[caneintally]

Originally posted by davekersey:

Originally posted by qwesley:
DK is great, but smh at another Dirk comp. We heard the same thing about Towns last year.

And foolhardy to not have any concern that the NCAA would at least sit on the case deep into the fall.

Not saying Skal has the game of Nowitski, but he does have a shot that looks like Nowitski's. I think you'll see that reminder when he fades, kicks one leg out, and scores from fifteen. Nowitski-like.

this is correct his jumper is similar to Dirk's .

 

[CalCat57]

Originally posted by Runnin'Ramel:


Nobody will pass Simmons for the top spot this year.

Matthews has really improved his offensive game this season, so I'm a little surprised he didn't make a bigger jump. From 44 to 42 is nothing.

Agree about Simmons. He is head and shoulders the best in this class.

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

Originally posted by Son_Of_Saul:

Originally posted by .S&C.:
I completely disagree that there's "less smoke"all together in that group you name. "Different smoke" is what I'd categorize it as.

We will see what happens, but with the ncaa, I have my fingers crossed.

As far as his game goes, he's smooth. I've seen him in person many times in memphis. Remember this is the young man that memphis fans thought was their savior for the past 2 years. He's no anthony Davis and I'm not sure why people keep using those comparisons. To me they have much different games. I love the kids touch and size with the ability to create.

What's the smoke with Skal?

I've to encounter anyone who could explain a tangible infraction without using ambiguous assumptions. He's academically eligible. They've taken no benefits. His guardian asked around for benefits. That doesn't = ineligibility.


I'd look for someone to randomly give me $5,000 before I'd look for the NCAA to persecute an innocent earthquake victim from Haiti. Good luck with that, Indianapolis.

Seems to me this is another case of a UK recruit getting hyper-scrutinized, just like Noel was, and Bledsoe, and Cousins, and Davis. A few key individuals make their life's goal to find some dirt on our recruits to bring Cal down. I know for a fact Thamel does this, probably with help from Forde and others.

 

[ZaytovenCat]

The hell he is ^. I'd take Newman and Brown ahead of Simmons. And I'm not just saying that because we are recruiting those two. I just don't get the massive hype that people thinks he's clear cut number 1. At worst Brown played him dead even at the City of Palms, and Brown got the win. Brown is more athletic, quicker, and slightly better offensively. Simmons is a better defender but that's it. I'd take Brown now and for sure 5 years down the line.

 

[BBCatsExile]

FTR, I've heard similar smoke that this he won't play college basketball.

Even if that smoke is false, the fact that there is smoke, will make the NCAA look even closer, which would make it even tougher for him to play college ball (unless there is absolutely no base to it).

Crossing fingers, but assuming he is not going to play until I hear otherwise. Reminds me of the Selby smoke a while back. He's a beast though, top 3 pick for sure.
This post was edited on 1/22 1:36 PM by BBCatsExile

 

[qwesley]

Originally posted by davekersey:

Originally posted by qwesley:
DK is great, but smh at another Dirk comp. We heard the same thing about Towns last year.

And foolhardy to not have any concern that the NCAA would at least sit on the case deep into the fall.

Not saying Skal has the game of Nowitski, but he does have a shot that looks like Nowitski's. I think you'll see that reminder when he fades, kicks one leg out, and scores from fifteen. Nowitski-like.

NP DK....Dirk is a freak though, his release and form were drilled relentlessly into him from a very young age. His ability to lean back with a high release-point is what made him unstoppable and a HOFer. I have seen plenty of Skal highlights, his shot looks terrific for a guy that tall but neither he nor Towns has what Dirk has. On the flipside, Skal has a much higher upside for defense.

 

[caneintally]

Originally posted by ZaytovenCat:
The hell he is ^. I'd take Newman and Brown ahead of Simmons. And I'm not just saying that because we are recruiting those two. I just don't get the massive hype that people thinks he's clear cut number 1. At worst Brown played him dead even at the City of Palms, and Brown got the win. Brown is more athletic, quicker, and slightly better offensively. Simmons is a better defender but that's it. I'd take Brown now and for sure 5 years down the line.

i honestly think Skal is the best player in this class. I would have Simmons 2nd and Newman third .I do think Brown might end up being the best pro though .

i would do my top 10 ( i can only rate guys i have seen play at least one game so i have no opinion on some guys)

1.Skal
2.Simmons
3.Newman
4.Brown
5. Rabb
6.Diallo
7.Zimmerman
8.Stone
9.Briscoe
10.Blakeney

i have only seen a few clips of Swanigan so i can't really say much about him but i know TJ loves him so i'd take his word for it.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Originally posted by BlueBlood66:

Originally posted by Son_Of_Saul:

Originally posted by .S&C.:
I completely disagree that there's "less smoke"all together in that group you name. "Different smoke" is what I'd categorize it as.

We will see what happens, but with the ncaa, I have my fingers crossed.

As far as his game goes, he's smooth. I've seen him in person many times in memphis. Remember this is the young man that memphis fans thought was their savior for the past 2 years. He's no anthony Davis and I'm not sure why people keep using those comparisons. To me they have much different games. I love the kids touch and size with the ability to create.

What's the smoke with Skal?


I've to encounter anyone who could explain a tangible infraction without using ambiguous assumptions. He's academically eligible. They've taken no benefits. His guardian asked around for benefits. That doesn't = ineligibility.


I'd look for someone to randomly give me $5,000 before I'd look for the NCAA to persecute an innocent earthquake victim from Haiti. Good luck with that, Indianapolis.

I believe that would be the smoke.

Have you heard of the NCAA before?

So if his guardian asked for a unicorn, would that be a violation?


Asking and receiving are two entirely different things. And yes, I've heard of the NCAA, an organization that has suffered incredible reputation damage, one that would not be helped by throwing a Haitian earthquake victim under the bus.

This post was edited on 1/22 7:50 PM by Son_Of_Saul

 

[BBN3240]

I know its only 3 players but im excited to see all 3

 

[stevo51]

You can never tell what the No Clue About Anything is likely to do

 

[davekersey]

"i have only seen a few clips of Swanigan so i can't really say much about him but i know TJ loves him so i'd take his word for it."
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

I like Swanigan's game and UK just might need a beefy guy next year. Caleb is 6'8", 265, and has a game similar to Jared Sullinger, in that he uses his broad backside to create space and score in close. Swanigan has good hands, soft touch, and a reliable scorer who will likely garner Mr. Basketball in Indiana. He may be Michigan States to lose, but UK is in there pretty strong.