John Calipari has sent back-to-back guards to the NBA lottery and is working on a third.
Is Brandon Knight next in line at Kentucky?
The 6-foot-3 Knight, the top prospect in the Class of 2010, has narrowed his list to four schools — Kentucky, Kansas, UConn and Florida — and will sign in the spring.
Considering Kentucky freshman John Wall will likely be the top pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, does it make sense that Knight will end up following in Wall’s foosteps?
“Is he John Wall’s replacement,” Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Pine Crest coach Dave Beckerman asked rhetorically.
“I don’t think Brandon Knight is anybody’s replacement. He’s a true natural point guard. He has his own game.”
Calipari has proven to have a special touch with point guards.
Derrick Rose was the NBA Rookie of the Year last year with the Chicago Bulls.
Tyreke Evans is having a fine rookie campaign with the Sacramento Kings.
Calipari coached both at Memphis.
And Wall has led No. 3 Kentucky to a 10-0 record and has people talking about a potential Final Four appearance.
Just last week he dropped a season-high 25 points and 6 steals (together with 7 turnovers) on UConn in the SEC/Big East Invitational at Madison Square Garden.
When I asked Calipari where Wall compared to Rose and Evans, he answered: “He is a little bit ahead in what we are running on offense.”
Of course Kentucky won’t be the only program losing a point guard to the NBA.
Kansas will lose senior Sherron Collins and UConn could lose sophomore Kemba Walker.
Both teams, along with Florida, would love to land Knight, who boasts a 4.2 GPA, has already won two MVP trophies this season and was one of 10 high school players named to the Naismith Trophy Boys’ High School Player of the Year watch list on Friday.
Beckerman said Knight will watch all the teams this season and then decide after the high school season ends.
“He wants to see how schools do,” Beckerman said. “What recruiting classes are so that he can look in and find his spot and enroll at the right school.”
Of course if he ends up at Kentucky as the next lottery pick in line, don’t be surprised.
“Kentucky has shown a lot of interest,” Beckerman said.
MILK FIELDING OFFERS
Beckerman said 6-9 forward Matt Milk, a Long Island native playing at Pine Crest, has not committed to Florida International coach Isiah Thomas but remains interested and has also heard from other schools.
“Hartford has called on him. Fordham called on him. [Division 3] Trinity (Conn.) has been hot after him. He would be a big fish in a small pond there,” the coach said.
“A lot of people stopped calling because they thought he had committed to FIU,” Beckerman added. “The answer is he hasn’t committed. He’s waiting until the spring and evaluating his position.”
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JessieWildcat / December 15, 2009
With Knight going to UK Wildcats…is this another recruiting loss for Kansas?
Can you see Knight with Cali? Yes, absolutely.
Hawk/Woody…this is not the biggest loss. Barnes would be the biggest loss for this recruiting year.
Why are the top recruits moving away from KU “Gangster U”.
Did
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Avaricious / December 15, 2009
“Calipari has proven to have a special touch with point guards.”
LOL
If Efrem Knight needs to do a background check, Reggie Rose, Reggie Evans, and Brian Clifton can attest to the way John Calipari and William Wesley do business.
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rockchalkin / December 15, 2009
Jessie:
Next year, assuming Aldrich, Henry, and Collins are all gone, here’s what KU will have to fill our 3 guard slots:
1. T Taylor
2. B Morningstar
3. C Henry
4. T Reed
5. E Johnson
6. M Little
7. T Releford
8. R Woolridge
We’re jam-packed at guard. 8 players to fill 3 spots. Not too much room to fit a 9th player in there. Guards aren’t coming to KU because Self can’t promise them all the PT that they want. KU’s recruiting “struggles” are due to the fact that Bill is a victim of his own recruiting success.
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rockchalkin / December 15, 2009
Not too sure why I mentioned Aldrich in a post about guards, or why I wrote “assuming” in regard to Collins being gone, but whatever. You get the point.
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Popcity / December 15, 2009
Brandon Knight seems to be a class kid, I hope he doesn’t end up at Kentucky or KU of the choices Florida seems like the best fit. At least Billy The Kid has class !
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JessieWildcat / December 15, 2009
Woody and Hawk,
Your boy Rock has some good inputs.
R u in agreement.
Come on…
Knight was Kansas TOP priority (after lossing Barnes).
Self wanted Knight more than any other recruit.
So if Rock is correct….then, WHY is Self scrambling.
A rushed visit to Josh S….after hearing of Knight going to Kansas.
Seems like a great deal of recruitment by Self…..if the guard positions at Kansas are over-loaded.
But, Knight to Kentucky is a good thing.
Kansas is OUT.
Kentucky FINALLY has their SECOND COMMIT…..?
I’m just saying….
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JessieWildcat / December 15, 2009
sorry…
A rushed visit to Josh S….after hearing of Knight going to Kentucky.
Kansas is OUT.
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jhawk4 / December 15, 2009
Jessie-
nowhere in the article does it say that Kansas is out, or Kentucky is the leader. the article is a “what if Knight goes to UK” article, dont read too much into it. there is no basis for you to say “Kansas is out” or “Self is scrambling”
having said that, i think one of the main reasons we are struggling recruiting this class is exactly what rockchalkin said, we have plenty of guards returning that we cant promise playing time to anybody right away.
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rockchalkin / December 16, 2009
Comment by JessieWildcat
2009-12-15 22:27:22
“Come on…
Knight was Kansas TOP priority (after lossing Barnes).
Self wanted Knight more than any other recruit.
So if Rock is correct….then, WHY is Self scrambling.
A rushed visit to Josh S….after hearing of Knight going to Kansas.
Seems like a great deal of recruitment by Self…..if the guard positions at Kansas are over-loaded.”
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Yes, Jesse, you are exactly right. Barnes and Knight WERE/ARE top KU targets. Now, what I said was:
“Guards aren’t coming to KU because Self can’t promise them all the PT that they want.”
I never said anything about Self NOT placing top priority on these recruits. He definitely wants them, no doubt about it. I tried to explain to you why they won’t come. It’s not every day that 5-star recruits and McDonald’s AA’s (see Collins, Aldrich, Arthur during his parts of his freshman year, or Johnson) are willing to come of the bench their freshman year. These kids might not want that, especially while other places can offer them all the PT in the world right out of the gate. The fact that KU is so loaded and can convince high-caliber players to play a role rather than be a star speaks volumes about Bill’s recruiting talent, IMO.
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RockChalkWoody / December 16, 2009
Jessie, you’re an idiot. I missed the part that says Kansas is out of the running for Knight. Also, not sure why a coach visiting a recruit is considered “a rushed visit.” FYI Selby visited KU on his own dime & is planning on visiting again for the KU-MU game so I’d say he’s very much in play for the Hawks.
I know that it sucks to be you right now, Jessie. The PAC10 stinks & your team is awful, but stop trying to rain on our parade. The Jayhawks are primed for a National Championship run and the future looks great (even after Aldrich & Collins are gone).
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pastaboy / December 16, 2009
Well Well Well ……if its not the monthly meeting of the “Cal Jealousy Club” …..LOL ……….last spring you clowns were saying how Ky. was young and would lose several early games…….undefeated ….. 10 and 0 …..Uconn, N.Carolina , and Indiana the last 3 W’s…….oops . As I predicted its going to be a long season for the Cal haters ……welcome to Hell suckers .
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JessieWildcat / December 16, 2009
Yeah, the Kansas clowns were so Cali-Jealous.
Of course, Kansas is OUT of Knight.
Self’s top recruit said NO Thanks and is headed to Kentucky.
With Knight going to Kentucky….Cali FINALLY has the second commit.
It sure took a long ,long time….
But, what is gong on with CJ Leslie?
Cousins is coming back for his Soph year. So, CJ is going to …?
And my boy Terrence Jones is too,too quite.
Does Linda have something to say and update?
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JayJayPG / December 16, 2009
0 FF’s and 0 Nat’l Championships is nothing to be jealous of. Cal’s coaching failures at Memphis helped to give Kansas a national championship in 2008. Then Cal leaving Memphis steers X. Henry to his rightful home in Lawrence, KS where he is putting up 18 PPG and is shooting a ridiculous 53% from behind the arc. Kansas fans are feeling pity…not jealousy for Cal.
There is no indication that Knight has even eliminated Kansas. This is merely an assumption since Wall has been so succesful as a PG at Kentucky that Knight will follow suit. The whole notion that Cal develops players and is the reason for Rose and Evans success in the NBA is the biggest scam going in college basketball, yet everyone will make the same assertion when Wall inevitably puts up big numbers in the NBA next year…as if it were Cal’s “coaching” that led to his success. I use the term “coaching” loosely since the running a dribble drive offense is essentially just giving a green light to the guards to do whatever they want.
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srsilverman / December 16, 2009
pastaboy-
What would be more exciting; a banner hanging ceremony or a banner removal ceremony? You know, you may not have to chose…
Man, what am I saying? Cal would probably get out coached anyway.
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jhawk4 / December 16, 2009
say what you want pasta, but KU is 9-0 (soon to be 10-0) and i wouldnt trade this KU team for anybody. im not one bit jealous of UK. congrats on the good start. hope to see you in march
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JessieWildcat / December 16, 2009
Hawk,
You should know by now…the Writing is on the WALL.
Knight may very well be headed to Kentucky.
Kentucky has Knight as their NO1 and TOP priority recruit.
Kentucky is making a stronger and harder push for Knight.
ps- Self realized that he is out with Josh S.
A “courtesy visit” to Josh….on Self’s way to see COOK.
Well, some may take that as a slap on the face.
But, Mrs W. does the polite thing. Class act.
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pastaboy / December 16, 2009
You had trouble with Cal’s second team (Memphis) even after he gave you one of his guards …LOL ….Ku is overrated and would have zero chance against Ky .
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srsilverman / December 16, 2009
Florida gets Knight, KU gets Selby, Kentucky gets neither, and Arizona? Are they really even worth putting in the discussion? Who is this clown? I think Self realizes Knight is going Florida or Kentucky so he’s making Selby his first priority. I think it’s a great move and I could see a scenario where Kentucky missing out on both recuits
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srsilverman / December 16, 2009
and pasta if you are gonna bring up a tight game against Memphis as to why Kansas is overrated, I would ask you to defend Kentucky’s come from behind win against Miami (OH). But I don’t go around making crappy points so I won’t ask that of you
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jhawk4 / December 16, 2009
I wont argue with you. we played dreadful against memphis, as did UK against MIA Oh, and Stanford. but both teams are significantly better now. again, i wouldnt trade KU’s team for anyone.
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JayJayPG / December 17, 2009
UK had trouble against Miami (OH) and Stanford…at least Memphis is receiving votes.
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pastaboy / December 17, 2009
Kansas has beaten no one ….KY has …end of discussion ….next
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JessieWildcat / December 17, 2009
AZ,
What STORM did you start!
Yes, the Writing is on the WALL…
The followers are startig to talk…….
“Someone says, ‘do you want to be John Wall’s replacement (at Kentucky)?’
Another one says, ‘Is Kemba Walker going to be back ?’ YES.
So,
Kansas is OUT. Self has acknowledge this…How was the COOK visit.
Florida is OUT… YES.
U CONN…Knight is their TOP recruiting PRIORITY.
John really wants Knight.But, KW is coming BACK.
At the end….KNIGHT to Kentucky….
Didn’t AZ say this?
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RockChalkWoody / December 18, 2009
Actually, you started it, numb nuts, with all of your anti-KU bull$hit. I know that your program is down & you have nothing better to talk about, but it’s really silly for you to act like KU is desperate in recruiting. FYI Bill Self wants 1 or 2 players; Bill Self doesn’t NEED 1 or 2 players. Your program does.
By the way, where in this article does it say that Knight to UK is a done deal?
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