Skal Labissiere earns top spot on Scout and Rivals rankings

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John Calipari has had a ton of talent players that he has recruited for his Kentucky Wildcats basketball team, but Skal Labissiere could be a very special one. That is saying a lot, but Labissiere has become the first Calipari recruit to top both the Scout and Rivals rankings. Skal Labissiere is the #2 player in the class in the ESPN and 247 Sports rankings. This is coming a long way for Labissiere who has been dogged with questions about his eligibility. Those concerns seem t0 have quietened a bit and Skal has emerged as the top player in the class. That does not mean to expect a miracle worker next year however.

"To start, Labissiere’s measurables are top-notch. At 6-11 and a possessing a standing reach of more than nine feet, he has very impressive length. He’s also reasonably explosive, highly mobile and fluid, and a genuine face-up threat. It’s those factors in combination that have made him a scouts’ darling, even if his current production is spottier than one might expect for the No. 1 prospect.Frequent NBA mentions make their appearance here for good reason: Labissiere’s projection is based on the long term. Even if he debatably enjoys a higher upside than, say, Jahlil Okafor, that doesn’t mean his immediate college prospects are as promising.Simply put, most everyone would be surprised if Labissiere achieves the impact ofKarl-Anthony Towns, Julius Randle or Anthony Davis in what’s almost certain o be one season at Kentucky. He faces strength hurdles to clear as well as a style that’s more favorable for the pros than college, where high percentage shots in the paint take on greater value."

The potential is there however and that means that Skal Labissiere has perhaps the highest ceiling entering college ball next season. And those type of players seem to thrive under John Calipari, especially when the calendar hits February and March. This type of disparity between potential and immediate college impact is highlighted as ESPN took a look at the top 25 players in college basketball next season. Ben Simmons of LSU topped the list but Skal Labissiere came in at number nine.

"This spring, coach John Calipari “missed” on the likes of Brown and Ingram, so suddenly people are wondering what’s wrong with Kentucky’s recruiting. Then again, there’s a chance that come 2016 the first player taken in the NBA draft might be none other than Labissiere. The 7-footer has been memorably termed “so frickin’ skilled” by Jonathan Givony of draftexpress.com, and if technical terms like that leave you confused, consider that Labissiere was the first player Calipari targeted in the Class of 2015. UK’s freshman-to-be will definitely need to put on weight, but his coach’s track record with freshman big men suggests Labissiere could be very good very soon."

The fact that Labissiere will just get better as his freshmen year goes along is the reason why the Kentucky Wildcats are projected as a Final Four contender. Don’t sleep on Skal Labissiere or this team next year. There is no dominant team in college basketball and I see a lot of the 2011 team with this team. They may take a few losses early, but they will be a force in March.

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