How would you evaluate John Calipari's crop of commitments so far? What needs have been answered?
Sisk: I think when we look at the talent that has committed so far, we need to take into account what John Calipari's offensive system is going to look like around them. This will most likely be a perimeter heavy roster that is going to be allowed to spread out and play in space. I also see it as a high octane group who will get up and down the floor.
Clarke and Boston are similar because they are scorers who have size. Clarke is 6-foot-6 and Boston is an inch taller. They can play together at the two and three. Both can be interchangeable and there really wouldn't be a difference in what they are asked to do. I could also see one of them playing the four if Coach Cal really chose to go small. The lineups that Ole Miss and Auburn used last season for example, would allow them to do that.
Fletcher has kind of become the forgotten man, but he gives Kentucky another big rangy wing who can guard multiple positions and get to the rim on the other end. He will be more of a three/four. I can see his offensive duties being similar to that of Clarke and Boston, but defensively he could more assignments of guarding the other team's power forward.
Ware takes a lot of pressure off Calipari to find post players. His feet, hands, and athleticism makes him a good fit to finish when the perimeters get into the lane and draw his man. But I can really see him thriving in the pick and roll game due to his tools. His next step needs to be adding shooting distance so he can pop off the screen.
Graf: John Calipari has loaded up with versatile, athletic wings who can score the basketball, while securing a commitment from a fast-rising power forward with a high ceiling. For the most part, the current crop of commitments features players whose skill outshines their athleticism. You haven’t always been able to say that with Calipari recruiting classes.
Terrence Clarke will be the best offensive wing that Kentucky has had under Cal. BJ Boston needs to get stronger, but he’s a pure scorer on the wing. Cam’Ron Fletcher is the most raw of the bunch in terms of skill set, but he still makes winning plays and can be a defense and rebounding guy early on. Lance Ware is a skilled power forward who is improving every time he plays. Once again, he’s skilled. That’s the theme for the current recruiting class. Kentucky still needs to secure a commitment from a point guard and a top flight big to get this class where John Calipari wants it. With all of the wing options, you don’t need an absolute superstar at point guard, you just need a steady, level-headed guy who can score some and facilitate. As far as bigs, Lance Ware is going to be a really good player, but he’s not a guy you want as your top big in this class if you’re shooting for the moon like Kentucky is in 2020. They need to lock up another skilled big who can rim run and rebound at a high level.
Do you think Calipari is done going into the Early Signing Period or do you think they can land another player this fall? If so, who is the most likely prospect to drop?
Sisk: I don't think he is done until the spring. I'm not saying he will add another piece by the Early Signing Period in November, but there is a good shot. That player is
Isaiah Jackson. He had a tremendous visit to Lexington a couple of weekends ago. His dad raved about the trip and said even though they hadn't taken any other official at that time, his opinion was that Kentucky had taken the lead.
He went to Tuscaloosa this weekend. I was warned a few weeks back that Alabama would be a very serious contender, so I'm going to be very interested in what comes out of there this week. Michigan State was thought to be the team to beat for a long time. I'm still not sure what is going on there, but it appears Calipari has made up any ground that was needed.
If the Cats can get Jackson, then that could possibly take care of the inside needs. Of course they would continue to go after Isaiah Todd, but it wouldn't be a must. Either way, I still look for Calipari to add a graduate transfer big man next spring. In this case I would look for him to chase the best available center.
Graf: There’s a Chance John Calipari has wrapped up all of his early signing period commitments, but I think the ‘Cats can land one more. I’ve had some conversations this week with people who strongly believe Isaiah Jackson will commit to Kentucky soon. There has been some Alabama smoke with Jackson, so that will be interesting to watch. Securing a commitment from Jackson in the fall means Kentucky would have two out of their three (or four) big man commits for this class locked in and allow the coaches to go all in on Isaiah Todd, Greg Brown or someone else.
What needs still have to be addressed in this class and which players can be the answers?
Sisk: I've spoken about the post game. The other area of need will obviously be the point guard. Corey Evans has hit it on the head for a few weeks now when he said he didn't feel a backcourt of Clarke and Boston could coexist with any combination of Jalen Green or Josh Christopher. Sharife Cooper is a near lock for Auburn.
That leaves Cade Cunningham in the 2020 Class. In a perfect world he would be the pick. He has been considered a very strong lean for Oklahoma State, but that has come under some doubt of late. I think Calipari sensed that when he paid Cunningham a visit right off the bat last week. I still don't think Kentucky will get him. If it isn't the Pokes, it seems North Carolina may be in the best shape. But Calipari certainly thinks he is in the game.
I'm looking at Devin Askew. Kentucky was in to see him this week as was Memphis, Oregon, Arizona and Villanova. He has taken an official visit to Louisville, and will be taking two others to Memphis and Villanova in October.
Like Clarke, the two questions are can Kentucky get him and will he reclass to 2020. The addition of Clarke could be huge in answering both of those in the affirmative. You're talking about giving him the keys to the car with playmakers like Clarke and Boston in the passenger seats. Either way, we probably won't know until the spring.
Graf: Kentucky needs a guy who can be a go-to scorer at the 4 or 5 spot. They’re an elite big man away from being an all-time level class. With the wing scorers on the roster, they’ll need a versatile big man who can score, defend and rebound. The perfect guy to fill that role is Isaiah Todd. He’s the second most skilled big man in the class and looks to be the mold of player Kenny Payne loves to develop.
Kentucky needs a point guard who can run the show and score when needed. Whoever is the point guard will have a lot of weapons at their disposal. The perfect guy for the point guard in this class is 2021 five star Devin Askew, who has a possibility of reclassifying. In August, Eric Bossi wrote “Askew is a winner who can score, set up others off the dribble and brings it on both ends.” That’s the recipe for what Kentucky needs at the point guard spot in this class.
If Kentucky could still land any player in the 2020 Class, who would you want that to be?
Sisk: I'll go back to Cade Cunningham. Not only is he the top ranked guard in the class, he plays the point. It would be an absolute perfect storm if Calipari could secure his services. But having said that, if I knew I could get Devin Askew, I would take him and run.
Graf: Cade Cunningham. He has the potential to be a transcendent talent. Calipari is probably drooling over the thought of possibly coaching him up at the point guard spot. He can score, pass, rebound and defend.
Which other prospects do you think that Kentucky will eventually get?
Sisk: These are not stone cold locks yet, but I think the class will be seven deep. I'm going to look at players I think they have a fifty percent chance or better with. I'll go with Isaiah Jackson as their second big, and then they will add a graduate transfer post player in the spring. I also will take Devin Askew to come aboard and handle the point guard duties.
Graf: While things can easily change in the recruiting game, I like where Kentucky stands with a few prospects. As of today, I think the ‘Cats round out their class with Isaiah Todd, Devin Askew and Isaiah Jackson. If he waits until the spring, Kentucky’s roster numbers line up after draft decisions and the staff wants to take a flier on a project, I could see them adding JJ Traynor as well.
Sisk: I think when we look at the talent that has committed so far, we need to take into account what John Calipari's offensive system is going to look like around them. This will most likely be a perimeter heavy roster that is going to be allowed to spread out and play in space. I also see it as a high octane group who will get up and down the floor.
Clarke and Boston are similar because they are scorers who have size. Clarke is 6-foot-6 and Boston is an inch taller. They can play together at the two and three. Both can be interchangeable and there really wouldn't be a difference in what they are asked to do. I could also see one of them playing the four if Coach Cal really chose to go small. The lineups that Ole Miss and Auburn used last season for example, would allow them to do that.
Fletcher has kind of become the forgotten man, but he gives Kentucky another big rangy wing who can guard multiple positions and get to the rim on the other end. He will be more of a three/four. I can see his offensive duties being similar to that of Clarke and Boston, but defensively he could more assignments of guarding the other team's power forward.
Ware takes a lot of pressure off Calipari to find post players. His feet, hands, and athleticism makes him a good fit to finish when the perimeters get into the lane and draw his man. But I can really see him thriving in the pick and roll game due to his tools. His next step needs to be adding shooting distance so he can pop off the screen.
Graf: John Calipari has loaded up with versatile, athletic wings who can score the basketball, while securing a commitment from a fast-rising power forward with a high ceiling. For the most part, the current crop of commitments features players whose skill outshines their athleticism. You haven’t always been able to say that with Calipari recruiting classes.
Terrence Clarke will be the best offensive wing that Kentucky has had under Cal. BJ Boston needs to get stronger, but he’s a pure scorer on the wing. Cam’Ron Fletcher is the most raw of the bunch in terms of skill set, but he still makes winning plays and can be a defense and rebounding guy early on. Lance Ware is a skilled power forward who is improving every time he plays. Once again, he’s skilled. That’s the theme for the current recruiting class. Kentucky still needs to secure a commitment from a point guard and a top flight big to get this class where John Calipari wants it. With all of the wing options, you don’t need an absolute superstar at point guard, you just need a steady, level-headed guy who can score some and facilitate. As far as bigs, Lance Ware is going to be a really good player, but he’s not a guy you want as your top big in this class if you’re shooting for the moon like Kentucky is in 2020. They need to lock up another skilled big who can rim run and rebound at a high level.
Do you think Calipari is done going into the Early Signing Period or do you think they can land another player this fall? If so, who is the most likely prospect to drop?
Sisk: I don't think he is done until the spring. I'm not saying he will add another piece by the Early Signing Period in November, but there is a good shot. That player is
Isaiah Jackson. He had a tremendous visit to Lexington a couple of weekends ago. His dad raved about the trip and said even though they hadn't taken any other official at that time, his opinion was that Kentucky had taken the lead.
He went to Tuscaloosa this weekend. I was warned a few weeks back that Alabama would be a very serious contender, so I'm going to be very interested in what comes out of there this week. Michigan State was thought to be the team to beat for a long time. I'm still not sure what is going on there, but it appears Calipari has made up any ground that was needed.
If the Cats can get Jackson, then that could possibly take care of the inside needs. Of course they would continue to go after Isaiah Todd, but it wouldn't be a must. Either way, I still look for Calipari to add a graduate transfer big man next spring. In this case I would look for him to chase the best available center.
Graf: There’s a Chance John Calipari has wrapped up all of his early signing period commitments, but I think the ‘Cats can land one more. I’ve had some conversations this week with people who strongly believe Isaiah Jackson will commit to Kentucky soon. There has been some Alabama smoke with Jackson, so that will be interesting to watch. Securing a commitment from Jackson in the fall means Kentucky would have two out of their three (or four) big man commits for this class locked in and allow the coaches to go all in on Isaiah Todd, Greg Brown or someone else.
What needs still have to be addressed in this class and which players can be the answers?
Sisk: I've spoken about the post game. The other area of need will obviously be the point guard. Corey Evans has hit it on the head for a few weeks now when he said he didn't feel a backcourt of Clarke and Boston could coexist with any combination of Jalen Green or Josh Christopher. Sharife Cooper is a near lock for Auburn.
That leaves Cade Cunningham in the 2020 Class. In a perfect world he would be the pick. He has been considered a very strong lean for Oklahoma State, but that has come under some doubt of late. I think Calipari sensed that when he paid Cunningham a visit right off the bat last week. I still don't think Kentucky will get him. If it isn't the Pokes, it seems North Carolina may be in the best shape. But Calipari certainly thinks he is in the game.
I'm looking at Devin Askew. Kentucky was in to see him this week as was Memphis, Oregon, Arizona and Villanova. He has taken an official visit to Louisville, and will be taking two others to Memphis and Villanova in October.
Like Clarke, the two questions are can Kentucky get him and will he reclass to 2020. The addition of Clarke could be huge in answering both of those in the affirmative. You're talking about giving him the keys to the car with playmakers like Clarke and Boston in the passenger seats. Either way, we probably won't know until the spring.
Graf: Kentucky needs a guy who can be a go-to scorer at the 4 or 5 spot. They’re an elite big man away from being an all-time level class. With the wing scorers on the roster, they’ll need a versatile big man who can score, defend and rebound. The perfect guy to fill that role is Isaiah Todd. He’s the second most skilled big man in the class and looks to be the mold of player Kenny Payne loves to develop.
Kentucky needs a point guard who can run the show and score when needed. Whoever is the point guard will have a lot of weapons at their disposal. The perfect guy for the point guard in this class is 2021 five star Devin Askew, who has a possibility of reclassifying. In August, Eric Bossi wrote “Askew is a winner who can score, set up others off the dribble and brings it on both ends.” That’s the recipe for what Kentucky needs at the point guard spot in this class.
If Kentucky could still land any player in the 2020 Class, who would you want that to be?
Sisk: I'll go back to Cade Cunningham. Not only is he the top ranked guard in the class, he plays the point. It would be an absolute perfect storm if Calipari could secure his services. But having said that, if I knew I could get Devin Askew, I would take him and run.
Graf: Cade Cunningham. He has the potential to be a transcendent talent. Calipari is probably drooling over the thought of possibly coaching him up at the point guard spot. He can score, pass, rebound and defend.
Which other prospects do you think that Kentucky will eventually get?
Sisk: These are not stone cold locks yet, but I think the class will be seven deep. I'm going to look at players I think they have a fifty percent chance or better with. I'll go with Isaiah Jackson as their second big, and then they will add a graduate transfer post player in the spring. I also will take Devin Askew to come aboard and handle the point guard duties.
Graf: While things can easily change in the recruiting game, I like where Kentucky stands with a few prospects. As of today, I think the ‘Cats round out their class with Isaiah Todd, Devin Askew and Isaiah Jackson. If he waits until the spring, Kentucky’s roster numbers line up after draft decisions and the staff wants to take a flier on a project, I could see them adding JJ Traynor as well.
