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A Breakdown of What the Kentucky Basketball Roster Could Look Like Next Season

By Frank Spencer

Mar 29, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonald's High School All-American players Nicholas Richards (4) and Jarred Vanderbilt and Quade Green (0) and PJ Washington Jr. who will all be attending the University of Kentucky in the fall of 2017 pose for a group photo before the 40th Annual McDonald's High School All-American Game at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonald's High School All-American players Nicholas Richards (4) and Jarred Vanderbilt and Quade Green (0) and PJ Washington Jr. who will all be attending the University of Kentucky in the fall of 2017 pose for a group photo before the 40th Annual McDonald's High School All-American Game at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Kentucky Basketball program is no stranger to reloading the team with young talent each season. After the 2016-17 season, John Calipari is faced with a challenge that no one wants to deal with.

John Calipari has made his money recruiting the best players in the world. He is the poster child of the “one and done” phenomenon that Kentucky Basketball is known to flourish in. The next slew of Wildcats are sought out to be the nation’s top recruiting class already.

What comes around goes around. With the top class making their way to Lexington in the summer, a great deal of talent will be departing from the program. In comes talent, out goes experience.

The Roster as of Today

The New Guys: Freshman

  • PJ Washington, F
  • Nick Richards, C
  • Jemarl Baker, G
  • Quade Green, G
  • Jarred Vanderbilt, F
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G
  • Hamidou Diallo, G

The “Veterans”: Everyone Else

  • Johnny David, G -Junior
  • Dillon Pulliam, G -Junior (RS)
  • Brad Calipari, G -Sophomore
  • Sacha Killeya-Jones, F -Sophomore
  • Wenyen Gabriel, F -Sophomore
  • Tai Wynyard, F -Sophomore (RS)

Where’s the beef?

If you couldn’t tell by taking a look at how the roster stands today, when you are bringing in more players than you currently have on your team, that may be a problem. Coach Calipari is a proven genius when it comes to manipulating young players to come together as a team. But, in this situation, absolutely no one player other than Wenyen Gabriel brings any experience to the table.

There is a bright spot in Sacha Killeya-Jones, who I believe will turn into a player Kentucky can count on in the future. He was a five star prospect and a Mcdonald’s All-American. The young man has talent. Fans just haven’t gotten the chance to see it yet.

The Case For Bam and Bamba

Bam Adebayo announced that he will enter the NBA draft, but will not sign an agent. That leaves room for him to return to Kentucky and contribute to another NCAA Title run if he does not like what he hears from NBA teams.

Prediction: Bam stays in the Draft.

It wouldn’t surprise anyone that Bam could stay in the draft. He is an athletic freak that once he gets in the keen eyes of NBA scouts, he will test his way up the draft boards. Potential alone and the body many compare to Dwight Howard will not scare anyone away from selecting this young man. His measurements and showcase of skills will keep NBA scouts interested and he will make his way into the first round which would be good enough to keep him away from school.

Prized recruit, Mohamed Bamba is still yet to decide on his college choice. Many believe that he will pick Kentucky. Others think Texas will be his destination. Shaka Smart and John Calipari are battling it out for the talented big man. Bamba is a player that has tremendous skills and could be a great asset to the length that Kentucky can put on the floor next season. The mass exodus doesn’t look as bad talent wise.

Other Offers

Also, Guards Cam Johnson and Mark Smith have also been offered by Kentucky. Johnson, a proven three point shooter is a graduate transfer from Pittsburg who would be eligible to play right away. Smith is the Illinois High School player of the year and could add some depth to the backcourt for the next few seasons.

Next: The Top 5 Kentucky Players to Wear No. 3

No matter the amount of talent that comes in, there is nothing that can replace experience. With potentially starting five freshman next season, Kentucky will again, undoubtedly be the least experienced team in the country.

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