Kentucky Wildcat Basketball Preview: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist

6’7” 232 pounds

Forward

St. Patrick High School

Somerdale, N.J.

Calipari’s first commitment for the 2011 class was also one of the best. He was ranked #1 in the country when he committed and ended up being #4 in the class. He is a long, super athletic wing who is best at getting to the basket. The scouts have praised him since he was a freshman in high school for being the definition of a winner. He is relentless on the defensive end and plays hard the entire time on the court which isn’t that prevalent in the AAU world that prospects live in.

Kidd-Gilchrist who added Kidd to his name to honor his late uncle who passed away the day he committed to the Cats, is a humble superstar that UK fans will be sure to love. He has said himself he isn’t comfortable with all the media interviews and the like because he doesn’t necessarily care about the individual accolades. Instead, he is more focused on doing whatever it takes to help the team win and being a good teammate. Sounds to me like a star in the making for the Cats.

Kidd-Gilchrist is also a movie star. Don’t believe me? Check out HBO tonight at 9 pm as the documentary that was made about his senior season will premier. The documentary will focus on him along with his teammates at St. Patrick High School as they tried to have a perfect season and win the mythical national high school championship along with the New Jersey state championship. It should be a great insight to what Kidd-Gilchrist brings to the court and also what kind of person he is off the court.

The bottom line is Kidd-Gilchrist is going to be a star this season whether he starts or is the 6th man. He is the youngest player on the team just turning 18 but he already has a very mature game and physically is imposing on the wing. He has a passion to compete and play the game that isn’t matched by many freshman in college. UK fans love when players give all out effort all the time, and if his high school years were any indication, we are going to love this young man.

What to expect?

When scouts and commentators talk about Kidd-Gilchrist they often talk more about his heart and desire to win than his actual abilities, and when someone is as talented as Kidd-Gilchrist there isn’t a better compliment you can be given. He plays as hard on the defensive end as he does on the offensive end. Expect him to pick up the role DeAndre Liggins played on the defensive end by guarding the other teams’ best player, which turned Liggins into a NBA draft pick by his 3rd year. Offensively, expect him to constantly attack the rim and play through contact which he does as well as any high school prospect I can remember. His jump shot is a work in progress but from all accounts it is improving daily and if he adds that aspect to his game he could literally be unstoppable.

Calipari on Kidd-Gilchrist

Michael is a flat out winner. He was the leader of one of the best high school teams in the country, not because he is one of the nation’s best scorers but because of his intangibles, intensity and passion. With his athleticism and length, he has the ability to be one of our best defenders. I’m looking for Michael to be the fire of this team. (From UK athletics website)

Follow Kidd-Gilchrist on Twitter: @mikegillie14

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