Calipari still looking to add depth to roster, looking for another French import?

by Paul Jordan

Apparently John Calipari is still recruiting as if Terrence Jones will not be walking through that door …. and the search for talent has literally become a worldwide search. We disclosed earlier that Kentucky was looking at one player with ties to France, Remi Dibo. Now it appears that Calipari is looking at another Remi from France, this time Remi Barry, and Barry has quite the interesting backstory.

Make no doubt, Remi Barry is a tremendous talent, although he is a bit rusty. As a junior, Barry was a member of the American Heritage team (FL) and he averaged nearly a double double a game and was teammates with current Gator guard Kenny Boynton. After his junior year, he went back to France, determined to never come to the US again, due to what he considered inhospitable living conditions in Florida with the person that was hosting him.

While in France, he played for the France national team against older players. His mentor in France, felt bad about the situation in Florida and vowed to find him better living conditions in the United States. In the end, another family was found for him in California, and things were set for him to transfer to Del Oro High in California. Once he arrived there, he found himself the focus of a controversy as the state board blocked his transfer, citing that he was recruited to attend the school. Despite a letter of clearance from American Heritage approving the transfer, Barry was never cleared to play his senior year, and has just recently started playing in the AAU tourneys.

Despite missing a year of high school, Barry is considered a major talent. While a junior in high school, he was listed at the 28th best prospect for 2010. He is considered a lock for the NBA after two to three years of college and his versatility could be a key asset for Calipari. While Barry may not solve the PF hole at 6’7, he is a tremendous swing man who can play the SF, SG, and even the PG position. Kentucky having depth at the PG position is almost as important as the PF position.

Kentucky, is of course, late in getting into the game for Barry. Barry has a top three of UCLA, St. Johns, and Arizona State, although all that can change since Kentucky, North Carolina, Texas, and Baylor are getting involved. It still seems a long shot for Kentucky as no visits to Lexington has been planned.

Here is what ESPN had to say about Barry during his 2008 season:

This small forward is just starting to blossom under the tutelage of coach Danny Herz. His shooting skills are what stand out most about this young man’s game at this point in time. With a frame of 6’7 and good athletic ability he can shoot it off the catch behind the arc. He also is comfortable with knocking down the 15-footer off the dribble. He will go inside on the blocks against smaller defenders and score with size and a scorers’ touch more than with a move. Defensively, he competes and possesses a body with length and size to be versatile enough to guard 2’s, 3’s, and 4’s for his team. He gets on the glass well and can be even better with more of an effort. He needs to get comfortable handing the ball and driving defenders as a counter to his jumper.

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