UK's New recruits already have a 'Gold' in 'Chemistry'

[Tyblue22]

Calipari has a special class coming in and he's still going to sign a few more. This class has something that alot of other classes dont have, Chemistry. Specifically they have Gold.
Team USA as a program has the mens national team better known as the mens olympic team. But the feeder program is the U19, U18, U17, U16 teams. This years UK recruiting class is not short on team USA experience. Many of them have multiple years experience playing in the USA Basketball program, and not only that, but they played WITH each other already, and won GOLD. This esperience is invaluable.

U17/U18 Team: 2016
Result: Gold Medal https://www.usab.com/history/u18-mens/tenth-fiba-americas-u18-championship-for-men-2016.aspx
Roster: https://www.usab.com/mens/u18/roster.aspx
Hamidou Diallo
PJ Washington
Quade Green
Mohamed Bamba

U16 Team: 2015
Result: Gold Medal https://www.usab.com/history/u16-mens/2015-mu16.aspx
Roster:
Jared Vanderbilt
Kevin Knox

Over the last few years many of these guys have been interchangeable on different USA Rosters in international play. I didnt list them all, I just threw a couple links out there for reference. And John Calipari is coaching the Mens U19 National Team (USA U19) this July in Egypt. All of these guys could play on that team. With Calipari coaching them.

So no matter what happens with the remaining targets, Calipari and Kentucky will already have experienced chemistry for next year. And adding Kevin Knox and Mohamed Bamba to Kentucky's roster along with
Hamidou Diallo
Jared Vanderbilt
PJ Washington
Quade Green
Thats some serious chemistry. Think about how much chemistry they will build with the 6 of them playing FOR COACH CAL and Team USA in Egypt this summer. The practice time and the games. Take this along with the players already at UK depending on who returns and its easy to see where Kentucky is headed for a special season. And for Calipari, a much deserved group that has chemistry already.

Knox and Bamba are the remaining pieces to what will be a very special year for Kentucky and Coach Cal.


Link: Calipari to coach Team USA / U19:
https://www.usab.com/news-events/news/2017/03/mu19-coaches.aspx

 

[docholiday51]

If they win this could be interesting going into the following year,some college teams will get nervous about this.The NCAA will take a close look to make sure no obscure rules are broken

We gain some advantage,but there is no free lunch when UK or Cal is involved(just extra cheese when K is involved)

My guess is that this could be a big help with Bamba,I know he will make the decision before this team gets together but he seems like a smart kid that would think this thru and factor it in before the fact.

 

[Tyblue22]

agree. I really think this experience will be the difference. Cal usually gets guys who havent played together. He has to start in October and get them ready. At least this group will have a head start