Now that 2009 basketball roster is set, Calipari looks at 2010
By Staff
What a thing of beauty. The UKAA released the official 2009-2010 men’s basketball roster yesterday and yes, Darnell Dodson is on it. There was lots of hand wringing over if his absence from campus meant that he was having trouble qualifying, but from this, we can put to rest all those rumors.
This would have to be the biggest roster in UK history with just one player, Bledsoe, under 6’4. In wearing 24, Bledsoe, has some big shoes to fill: Mashburn, Azubuike, and Antoine Walker. Of course, Wall will get to exorcise number 11 of all memories of Saul Smith. When we look at the roster we could have had if Billy G stayed (no Patterson, Wall, Cousins, Dodson, and possibly Liggins and Miller), you can see that Cal saved us from a sub .500 season. Instead we have visions of Final 4’s dancing in our heads.
Looking ahead, we can see that Calipari has his hands full filling the roster for 2010 and beyond. After this season, we would have the spots of Stevenson, Harris, and probably Patterson, Wall, Cousins, and that 13th scholarship spot to fill. That is 6 recruits Cal would need to bring in and lets say Orton decides to test the waters after his freshman year (not too likely, but I keep hearing comments from him saying he wants to be a one and done), and there are 7 scholarships to fill.
How is UK progressing on these spots?
BRANDON KNIGHT
The Florida point guard is either the number 1 or number 2 player available in 2010 and a recent article by Gary Parrish states that the smart (and dumb) money is on him going to Kentucky. Assuming Wall goes as expected, he would be the 3rd straight Calipari PG to go in the top 5, and according to Parrish, that makes UK Point Guard U.
DORON LAMB
From all indications, UK is at the top of UK’s list and has been for a while. Lamb became UK’s number 1 targer after Will Barton went to Memphis and Lamb would be a great fit. He is rated as the #36 player overall available and is a big guard (6’5) that Calipari loves for the DDMO.
DOMINIQUE FERGUSON
Remember him? The top 10 PF became the “one that got away” when Gillispie was fired but he still apparently has UK on his list. It looks like UK has lost valuable ground to Tom Crean at IU for him and I don’t really know how hard Calipari is recruiting him. Would fill a void with Patterson and Cousins leaving.
CJ LESLIE
John Wall’s HS teammate is talented in his own right and has Wall in his ear about coming to UK. He is the #4 PF in 2010 according to ESPN and is planning a visit to UK in the near future.
STACEY POOLE
Poole has exploded in the ratings recently and UK is stepping up it’s interest in Poole. If UK can not get Lamb, Poole is potentially the next best SG available but the Jacksonville player will be tough to pry from Donovan. Plus how much heat will Donovan be under if UK can land both Knight and Poole from the state of Florida?
KYRIE IRVING
Reports are hot and cold on the #2 PG available Irving. Some camps have him firmly in UK’s camp, coming to play for his Godfather Rod Strickland, and talking about he and Michael Gilchrist playing at UK together. Then I saw an article yesterday where he said that UK was not his leader. He’s tough to read but UK is in the game.
JELAN KENDRICK
Kendrick has to be a big option for Calipari as well as the 29th rated player and 8th rated SG available. UK is in the game but you would have to think that it would be either Lamb or Kendrick and not both. But then that is what we all thought about Wall and Bledsoe as well…
JOE JACKSON
Evan Daniels (scout.com) says that UK has a good shot at Jackson, and he knows a hell of a lot more about this than me. He is the 4th best PG and from Memphis, so most people have him being a Tiger next year. There is mutual interest between Joe and Calipari, but I don’t know quite how strong that buzz is yet.
So there is a look at 7 players that can fill the bill for 2010. This is obviously a dream list, but in reality, Calipari has a more than realistic shot at pulling three of these players. I think Lamb, Leslie, and Irving are definite possibilities. I have not seen the buzz that Gary Parrish has about Knight. If Knight can make it the 4th, this will be a class that rivals this year’s haul. Keep in mind there are other top players that are looking at UK as well but these are just a few of the hotest name
s right now. Hopefully UK can make a dent or two in that 2010 class in the all crucial July recruiting period.
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