Alex Poythress is the newest Kentucky Wildcat.
The 6-foot-8 forward from Clarksville (Tenn.) Northeast announced for Kentucky on Thursday, choosing the ‘Cats over Florida, Vanderbilt and Memphis. He is the No. 8 power forward in the Class of 2012 according to Rivals.
“Kentucky is a good school,” he said in a recent interview with FiveStarBasketball.com. “I like their offense. Coach Cal [John Calipari] is a good coach. He’s a pretty good guy. He knows what he’s talking about. He’s been around basketball a long time.”
Poythress averaged 22.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.1 blocks, 1.4 steals and 1.2 assists for Northeast (15-15) last season.
“Poythress is a terrific athlete,” New York recruiting expert Tom Konchalski said. “Tony Parker probably had a bigger reputation coming into this spring and summer but he really opened a lot of eyes this spring and summer. He played really well.
“He’s an extraterrestrial athlete with a great body who really change ends of the floor and plays extremely hard, has great second effort. He’s a 6-8 power forward and there aren’t too many guys at his position with his athleticism and and physical wherewithal.
“I don’t think he’s a program-changer but he’s a very good player.”
Poythress joins 6-6 shooting guard Archie Goodwin and 6-11 center Willie Cauley in Kentucky’s 2012 recruiting class, now ranked No. 2 overall by ESPN.com.
Kentucky remains alive for Memphis forward Jarnell Stokes, who is expected to sign during the early period, as well as Shabazz Muhammad, Anthony Bennett and Devonta Pollard, all of whom will sign late.
BostonCat / November 10, 2011
KABOOM!!!!
welcome to BBN alex!!!!
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kentuckymortgage / November 10, 2011
Calipari on his way to #1 Class again. The man can recruit.
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BostonCat / November 10, 2011
i don’t really care about where uk’s classes are ranked. cal will bring in great talent and the right talent and turn it into something special.
look how amazing teague has looked. but then you contrast him to turner who some thought would have a better freshman year over at zona. 2 games into the year and he is benched, while teague shines.
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LS / November 10, 2011
I didn’t feel anything about this signing — which just shows how crazy Cal’s recruiting has been when someone as good as this kid doesn’t even register with me.
That said, I’m not a Kentucky fan, so I’d love to know their thoughts on it. Excitement?
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BostonCat / November 10, 2011
i’m very excited. 6-8, great length and size, great athleticism with very good ball skills. SF but has the body to play some PF. outside-inside game. his versatility will be great in cal’s system.
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UofA BJ / November 10, 2011
Teague is definitely better than turner, and this is another great pick up for UK. What’s next for UK? Bc it seems to me their starting five r lottery picks and will all be gone? I guess lamb is borderline lottery maybe but jones, gilchrist, Davis are top 5 picks and Teague is top 10. Thought I liked unc to win this year but now I’m not so sure.
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