Kentucky Wildcats commit Skal Labissiere projected as top NBA pick

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Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Stoops and his Kentucky Wildcats lost a huge battle yesterday when Austin Kendall committed to Oklahoma, but the future is still bright for UK’s 2016 class. And the 2015 class is currently at practice preparing for the upcoming season. One of the interesting prospects is the latest edition to the class, Calvin Taylor, who committed in March. You can probably expect a redshirt this year, but his size in intriguing and he is willing to work hard.

"Calvin Taylor is an intriguing prospect at 6-foot-9, 265-pounds. Taylor appears to be a candidate to play on the offensive line at tackle, but he is willing to fit into whatever role the coaching staff lays out for him. “I’ll play whatever side of the ball that I am needed to play,” said Taylor. “I’m a team guy. If it’s best for the team, it’s best for me.” That line of team thinking is part of what made Mark Stoops decide to offer Taylor. And Mark Stoops’ work with the Kentucky program is a major factor in why Taylor decided to sign with the Wildcats. “Coach Stoops is a wonderful coach. I really enjoyed the vibe of the program. It was a perfect fit for me,” he said. The aesthetic improvements to the facilities also turned Taylor’s head as well, along with the environment around the program. “UK is a phenomenal place. Me and Coach (Jimmy) Brumbaugh had a wonderful relationship. UK is an up-and-coming program. I really wanted to be a part of a wonderful culture. The whole staff is amazing. They are really players’ coaches.” Taylor, who also plays basketball, is still learning football. But his time on the hardwood provides him an extra benefit as a football player."

While there is no Spring game for Kentucky Wildcats football, Saturday’s practice will be open to the public. Here is more from a UKAA release.

"LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky football head coach Mark Stoops will open practice Saturday, April 11, for fans and media. The open practice, which will start at noon, will be held on the Tim Couch Practice Fields at the Nutter Training Center. The practice may move to the Nutter Field House next to Commonwealth Stadium in the event of bad weather. The gates to the Tim Couch Practice Fields will open at noon and fans can enter at three areas of the facility, two accessible from the C8 parking lot and the third gate accessible from the Cooper Drive/E-Lot parking lot. General Information • No chairs are permitted in the facility • Please stay behind all signs, painted lines and all ropes. While on site please follow instructions of UK Athletics staff. • Nutter Training Center will not be open to the public • Public restrooms are located in the C8 parking lot • No autographs or posed pictures are permitted during this event Parking is available FREE of charge in the following locations: • C8 Lot behind the rightfield fence of Cliff Hagan Stadium • E-Lot beside the Cliff Hagan Stadium • Parking Structure #7 • Small E-Lots next to practice field and tennis center • C6 Green Lot near Commonwealth Stadium"

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