Kentucky Wildcats Basketball: Big Blue Madness Guest List
By Brian True
With Big Blue Madness only three days away, fans all across the state and country are ready for another chance to see their team take the court. This year even more so than last, as they already know what this team can do without two of its players, having seen them play on their summer tour in the Bahamas. Of course, as we all know, this spectacle isn’t just for the fans to see John Calipari’s team. It is a chance for Kentucky Wildcat fans to see Matthew Mitchell’s women’s basketball team, the best cheerleaders in the country, and a dance team that brings it year in and year out.
Despite having said this, we all know that Big Blue Madness is really the men’s basketball team’s show. And with John Calipari at the helm, it is for much more than just the fans. It is for the recruits, high schoolers currently, to come and see the spectacle that is Kentucky Basketball. With another impressive guest list this year, it is no wonder that Coach Cal pulled some strings and got superfan Drake to show up this year, as he will be sitting sideline for all these recruits to see. Of course, you might be wondering who these recruits are by now, and lucky for you I’m here to tell you. Check out the players coming to Big Blue Madness, as well as some of the important information about them, below.
Charles Matthews
Shooting Guard (4*)
6’5″, 175 lbs.
Chicago, Illinois (Saint Rita)
Top247: No. 60 overall, No. 19 SG
247 Composite: No. 48 overall, No. 14 SG
Rivals: No. 56 overall, No. 17 SG
ESPN: No. 30 overall, No. 7 SG
Scout: No. 61 overall, No. 20 SG
Malik Newman
Combo Guard (5*)
6’3″, 175 lbs.
Jackson, Mississippi (Callaway)
Top247: No. 4 overall, No. 1 SG
247 Composite: No. 3 overall, No. 1 SG
Rivals: No. 3 overall, No. 1 SG
ESPN: No. 3 overall, No. 1 SG
Scout: No. 10 overall, No. 1 SG
Jaylen Brown
Small Forward (5*)
6’7″, 220 lbs.
Alpharetta, Georgia (Wheeler)
Top247: No. 2 overall, No. 2 SF
247 Composite: No. 2 overall, No. 2 SF
Rivals: No. 2 overall, No. 2 SF
ESPN: No. 8 overall, No. 1 SF
Scout: No. 1 overall, No. 1 SF
Carlton Bragg
Power Forward (5*)
6’9″, 220 lbs.
Cleveland, Ohio (Villa Angela-St. Joseph)
Top247: No. 16 overall, No. 4 PF
247 Composite: No. 14 overall, No. 5 PF
Rivals: No. 14, No. 3 SF
ESPN: No. 14 overall, No. 7 PF
Scout: No. 11 overall, No. 3 PF
Brandon Ingram
Small Forward (5*)
6’8″, 180 lbs.
Kinston, North Carolina (Kinston)
Top247: No. 11 overall, No. 4 SF
247 Composite: No. 17 overall, No. 4 SF
Rivals: No. 18 overall, No. 4 SF
ESPN: No. 12 overall, No. 2 SF
Scout: No. 25 overall, No. 6 SF
Stephen Zimmerman
Center (5*)
7’0″, 230 lbs.
Las Vegas, Nevada (Bishop Gorman)
Top247: No. 22 overall, No. 4 C
247 Composite: No. 12 overall, No. 3 C
Rivals: No. 10 overall, No. 4 C
ESPN: No. 6 overall, No. 2 C
Scout: No. 14 overall, No. 6 C
Antonio Blakeney
Shooting Guard (5*)
6’4″, 170 lbs.
Orlando, Florida (Oak Ridge)
Top247: No. 15 overall, No. 4 SG
247 Composite: No. 17 overall, No. 3 SG
Rivals: No. 13 overall, No. 3 SG
ESPN: No. 14 overall, No. 2 SG
Scout: No. 22 overall, No. 5 SG
Tyus Battle
Shooting Guard (Class of 2016) (5*)
6’6″, 190 lbs.
Edison, NJ (Gill St. Bernard S. School)
Top247: No. 13 overall, No. 3 SG
247 Sports Composite: No. 11 overall, No. 3 SG
Rivals: No. 11 overall
ESPN: No. 19 overall
Scout: No. 7 overall
Derryck Thornton
Point Guard Guard (Class of 2016) (5*)
6’0″, 175 lbs.
Henderson, NV (Findlay Prep)
Top247: No. 13 overall, No. 3 SF
247 Sports Composite: No. 11 overall, No. 3 SF
Rivals: No. 11 overall
ESPN: No. 10 overall, No. 2 PG
Scout: No. 7 overall
*Credit to Drew Franklin at Kentucky Sports Radio for putting together this list*