UK's Calipari hopes to land frontcourt duo of CJ Leslie and Adreian Payne
By Staff
In about a month’s period, John Calapari pulled off the incredible feat of signing both Eric Bledsoe and John Wall, giving a nassive upgrade to a backcourt that last year was responsible for turning over the ball on around 20% of UK’s possessions. After this season, with Patrick Patterson and possibly DeMarcus Cousins leaving UK for the NBA and Perry Stevenson graduating, the backcourt may need a similar infusion of talent.
That is where CJ Leslie and Adreian Payne enter the picture.
Do a google search for CJ Leslie and you no doubt, will see comparisons to Kevin Garnett and you will see him bandied as the “next KG”. It appears as if the comparisons may live up to the hype. Leslie is one of the elite forwards in the country, has explosive speed and a good perimeter shot. He plays well above the rim and can dominate at both ends of the court. A recent ESPN scouting recruit said that “Leslie has always been a highlight reel dunker but his overall game has gone to a higher level now that he’s playing with more passion, energy, and focus”.
And did we mention that CJ Leslie was a high school team mate of John Wall? I remember when things looked like Wall may be going to Duke, Calipari made the trips to Word of God Academy to see CJ Leslie. During that trip, Calipari managed to get Wall alone and sell him on UK. Now CJ Leslie has John Wall selling UK to him. Leslie has said that John Wall is “always in his ear” about how great Kentucky is and selling him on the program. That apparently impressed Leslie so much that he is planning to visit UK during his busy AAU season.
Even if John Wall does leave UK for the NBA after this year, Leslie would still have a Word of God teammate not too far away. Stephone Drane recently signed with the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky. So much for the theory that UNC and NC State have a lock on the Word of God players although Leslie has backed away from an earlier commitment to NC State.
While Leslie is rated as the #4 PF prospect, Adreian Payne is not that far behind at #7. Payne has been the subject of intense chatter lately when he whittled his list down to five teams and the hometown favorite Dayton Flyers were not included. There have been tons of Internet buzz lately saying that a commitment from Payne is imminent, but there have been naysayers saying no decision will be made soon. More than a few sources have said that it is basically a two team race between Kentucky and West Virgina, but Michigan State seems to think they are in the running as well. Payne did visit UK in the middle of May.
ESPN says he is one of the elite big men in the 2010 class as well and offers a fine analysis of him: “Adreian is an extremely long and athletic combo post. He can play either the 4 or the 5 at the next level. He has all the tools and there is very little he can not do on the basketball floor. Offensively he can do it all. He runs the floor like a deer. He can always beat the oppositions big man down the court so he can gain position offensively. He has a good touch on his shot and has legit range to 17 feet (he can even hit 3’s). He is able to use both hands in the low post effectively. That allows him to turn and score over either shoulder.”
Both players appear suited for Calipari’s style of play and the DDMO. But is Cal able to strike recruiting gold twp years in a row in Lexington and land BOTH big men? I have learned by now not to underestimate Calipari, but you can vote in the box below and let me know what you think.
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