Kentucky Wildcat 2012 Basketball Recruiting: Andre Drummond

ANDRE DRUMMOND

6’10  275 C

ST. THOMAS MORE SCHOOL – Middleton, CT

Rivals Ranking:  *****, #1 C, #3 overall

ESPN Ranking:  ***** (98)  #1 C, #1 overall

Scout Ranking:  *****  #1 C, #1 overall

By most consensus, Andre Drummond is the top prospect in the 2012 class.  He is definitely the top center in the class and he is a true center with great versatility.  Up until recently, there were rumors that Drummond would reclassify into the 2011 class and enroll at UConn.  That is not going to happen now and you have to wonder how DeAndre Daniels committing to UConn may affect the big man.  Once again, it all boils down to the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement.  If the “one and done” rule is intact, you would think that every school is in the running still.  If it becomes a “two and done” situation, Drummond may look at Daniels at UConn as an obstacle.  Likewise, he can look at Kentucky and see the presence of Anthony Davis and Kyle Wiltjer as the same obstacle, but with Terrence Jones likely departing to the NBA after this year and Eloy Vargas graduating, there will be room in the UK front court.

As expected, everyone who is anyone is chasing Drummond, but it appears that Kentucky, Louisville, West Virginia, UConn, Pittsburgh, North Carolina and Georgetown are pressing the hardest for his services.  To be honest, I am not sure where Kentucky stands with Drummond however.  He has been seemingly a Connecticut lean forever and it will be very hard to pry him from the clutches of Jim Calhoun.  Kentucky has made some inroads over the past year.  About a year ago, Kentucky was not on his list as he had an early top five of North Carolina, Duke, Georgetown, Louisville, and UConn.   As the saying goes, you can never count John Calipari out when it comes to a recruit but it appears everyone else is running second to UConn right now. 

Drummond is coming off a junior season where he averaged 15 poinbts and 11 boards and was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for Connecticut.  Here is what ESPN had to say about Andre along with those ever popular mix tapes the kids like so much:

"Strengths:Where to start? Few players in America (pro or college) have combination of size, athletic ability and skill that he possesses. Anthing around the rim he catches and dunks, often times while getting fouled by two or more people. He has a hook and is comfortable near the basket with either hand. He can face and is not only a threat to shoot but he can drive with authority. Anywhere on the floor he’s an adept passer which speaks to his basketball IQ. His reflexes around the ball and the rim are awesome. He’s a super offensive rebounder and will get after it on the other side. Defensively, he’s an intimidator. He blocks more shots by hanging around the paint and just being himself. He won’t chase shots, but rather waits and gets them on the release, often times with the ability to swat a shot at its apex. He’s an excellent leaper for his size and weight. He’s one of the best in the country at keeping balls alive, tipping to himself and finishing the play. Weaknesses: With all the talent comes the expectation to play in a dominant fashion all the time. Drummond is not quite there yet. When he does “bring it” there’s no question who the best in the class is or will be. Offensively, because of his skill level, he is prone to floating to the perimeter. His best games comes when he’s anchored inside to start and then works his way to the perimeter if he goes there at all. He can shoot the basketball, though that’s always an area to improve. Our concern has little to do with his ability or anything other than sheer consistency. When he chooses, he’s the best there is. He’s got to become comfortable with his body. One of the reasons why he’s inconsistent is that like a lot of bigs before him (Greg Oden included) it often times takes them longer to adjust to being the biggest guy on the floor. Mix in referees calling touch fouls on a big guy and it often stunts, in their mind, their ability to be aggressive. In time he will adjust to his own size; he’s too talented not too. There is also a need to refine his low post footwork. Bottom Line: Drummond has a chance to be one of the elite big men of the last decade. He doesn’t turn 18 until August 2011. Big statement but because he’s exponentially talented and more than capable of living up to the extreme expectations. He’s a game changing recruit for a program who will have a chance to be the No. 1 overall player in any draft he’s involved with."

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