Kentucky Wildcat Basketball 2013 Recruiting: Meet Nerlens Noel

If John Calipari has an ulterior motive to ditch the Big Blue Nation and run off to New York and coach the Knicks, he certainly is not tipping his hand by his recruiting prowess.  recently, John Calipari made the trip to Everett, New Hampshire.  While there, Calipari took the time to offer 2013 C Nerlen Noel and his Tilton teammate, 2014 SF  Wayne Selden.  For right now, we will just get to know Noel.

Noel is one of the highest rated players in the 2013 class and is the best center in the class.  ESPN has him listed as the 3rd best player in the class and Rivals has him rated at #6.  Although just a sophomore, Noel is a shot blocking machine already.  He already is 6’10 but weighs just 210, but that will fill in over the next few years.  An opposing AAU coach, Malcom Yelling, had this great quote about Noel’s shot blocking ability after Noel swatted his 10th shot of a game with 16:00 still on the clock:

“It’s like that wrinkled dollar you keep putting in the machine and it just keeps spitting it out.”

Don’t get the wrong impression of Noel however.  Jerry Meyer of Rivals had the following to say about Noel after watching him over this weekend’s Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Sessions over the weekend:

"In one viewing Noel blocked at least six shots during a four-minute span. That type of defensive dominance was the norm for Noel. But he is not a one-trick pony. Noel was also a reliable scorer down low and a passing and scoring threat in the high post."

Seeing the kid is a sophomore, it’s going to be a long wait to see him commit to a college but the big schools are lining up already.  Kentucky has offered, as had UConn, Florida, Pittsburgh, Providence, and Syracuse.  Kansas is in the mix, but I am not sure if they have offered yet.   As always, whenever we introduce a player, here is a look at what ESPN had to say about Noel as well as that all important mixtape:

"Strengths: An absolutely incredible shot blocker with uncanny defensive instincts. Noel has good size, length, and quick bounce to go along with precise timing and incredible mobility and agility. He is like a one-man zone with his ability to protect the basket inside the paint but is also a threat to fly out to the perimeter and erase mistakes when the situations warrants. Offensively, he has some rapidly emerging tools. He gets a ton of dunks inside the paint, both from guard’s penetration and the offensive glass, because he can catch and bounce into the dunk so quickly. He can make a jump hook over either shoulder, is a terrific passer from the low post, and has a quick spin move when facing up. Weaknesses: Still lean, Noel needs to continue to fill out his frame in a way in which will keep his mobility intact but allow him to play through contact with more consistently. His offensive game also needs to continue to progress as he can make jump hooks with both feet planted but can rush the shot at times as well. He needs to shoot the ball better from the elbow and short corner and also become a more consistent three-point shooter.Bottom Line:He may already be in the best shot-blocker in the country with absolutely uncanny physical gifts and defensive instincts. With a rapidly expanding offensive game, and solid work ethic and good court demeanor, the sky is absolutely the limit."

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