As we all know, John Calipari is well on his way to delivering his fourth consecutive top rated recruiting class for the Kentucky Wildcats. And as we know, that does not always equate into wins on the court. You have to be able to coach them and get them to perform once they land on campus. It does no good to land top five recruiting classes and not be able to get them to play as a team once the season starts.
Are you listening, Memphis and Josh Pastner?
Fortunately for Kentucky fans, John Calipari has mastered the ability to recruit and coach which has resulted in this year’s product being ranked #3 in the country. The future looks bright as well as all three members of next years recruiting classes are having very good senior seasons at their respective high schools.
ALEX POYTHRESS
Poythress, from Northeast HS in Clarksville, Tennessee is flat out tearing it up this season. Through the stats available, Poythress is averaging 30.6 points a game, 13.9 rebounds, and 6.4 blocks a game rebounding and block stats were not available for every game on the Next Cats site, so this is an average of what was available) Crazy numbers for the 6.7 forward who is ranked from between 13th to 25th nationally.
ARCHIE GOODWIN
Goodwin is ranked between 5th to 13th on the main recruiting lists and the 6’4 SG seems more than ready to be able to step up and fill Doron Lamb’s shoes. Like Lamb, Goodwin is fully capable of stepping over and playing the point as well. So far this season, Goodwin is averaging 23.8 points a game.
WILLIE CAULEY
Willie Cauley is projected as the Wildcat that may stay around Lexington for three, even four years before heading to the NBA. Don’t confuse that with a lack of talent. At 7’0, Cauley is ranked between 28-46, but look for that number to approach the top 25 on all scouting services by May. Cauley has a ton of upside and will step in and produce next year. For the season, Cauley is averaging 13.5 a game and has had a 9 rebound game and a 5 block game thus far. That said, Cauley’s team has played the least games thus far with just five.
Now that is just three players and we all know Kentucky will need at least double that to go into battle next season. How are some of Calipari’s other targets faring this season?
SHABAZZ MUHAMMAD
29.2 PPG, 9.3 RPG
ANTHONY BENNETT
15.6 PPG, 11.4 RPG
Of course this is not all of the recruits that John Calipari is looking at. Torian Graham made headlines recently by committing to the NC State Wolfpack and the de-committing for the second time. Graham is always linked with Kentucky and here is a look at the details on his mysterious situation with NC State.
But unlike years in the past, there is no need to worry about John Calipari and recruiting. This will be a top ranked class and the wins will follow. That’s the thing about Calipari’s recruiting. Perfect every time and no need to stand in long return lines.
Original Story:
http://www.wildcatbluenation.com/?p=8...
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December 27, 2011
