Time for the Kentucky Wildcats to reload

1 of 2

More from Kentucky Wildcats News

Now that it is official that seven members of the Kentucky Wildcats are headed to the NBA, it is time for John Calipari to do what he does best: reload. Swinging a ton of commits in a short amount of time is nothing new to Calipari. Remember the dizzying pace in which he filled his first class at Kentucky? And the cupboard is bot bare in Lexington and the Wildcats already have one of the top classes in the nation. He just needs to add a few pieces to make this a top five preseason team. And as of now, two names stand out: Malik Newman and Stephen Zimmerman. And there are others.

There has been a lot of speculation that a mass departure would equal a Malik Newman commitment. Ben Howland at Mississippi State will have a lot to say about that. And for a long time, it seemed as if Stephen Zimmerman was doomed for a Western part of the US destination, it seems that things are heating up between he and Kentucky.

"Las Vegas center Stephen Zimmerman is another prospect whom many analysts see as a possible fit at Kentucky. His mother, Lori Stevens, told the Herald-Leader on Thursday that they always expected seven or eight Wildcats to opt for the pros after this season. She also said Zimmerman still hasn’t set a timetable for his decision. He’s at the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Ore., this week — along with the rest of UK’s 2015 targets — and he’ll play in the Jordan Brand Classic in Brooklyn next weekend. Stevens said Calipari has requested an in-home visit after that game. “We have it booked just in case he still hasn’t decided,” she said. Calipari also is expected to have in-home visits with small forward Brandon Ingram and Cheick Diallo within the next two weeks. Small forward Jaylen Brown, whom many consider the best uncommitted player in the country, said Wednesday that he planned to start cutting his list of eight schools in the next few days."

Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

In the end, it was a wild ride for Willie Cauley-Stein. And this year probably would not have happened had he not broke his ankle last season. Everything turned out perfectly for him and when you listen to his words yesterday, you can’t help but think about the same type of story for Alex Poythress.

"“I was going to leave last year, broke my ankle, didn’t get a chance to play in the Final Four,” Cauley-Stein said. “That was my whole motive coming back. I got a chance to play in it, I’m healthy.” And in hindsight, the injury was a blessing for Cauley-Stein, who developed into a consensus first-team All-American in 2014-15. It gave him one more season to mature and play under John Calipari, the coach he says prepares his players for the next level better than any in America. “It would chew anybody up and spit them out,” Cauley-Stein said. “Being young like that and going, you gotta be here. Like, this place prepares you for that. The young guys that thrive in the NBA, there’s a reason why. There’s a method. There’s a remedy that Cal does that that’s why they’re ready to go when they get there. Because they’re mentally—the way everything is ran here is exactly how a pro team is set. That’s why it’s so successful here.”"

Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Of course, not everyone is happy with Kentucky sending seven players to the NBA. If you browse the internet, you will see the usual “Calipari is evil” talk. Ignore that. However, there is some merit to the articles that criticize John Calipari. But if you are going to read them, consider the source. Mike DeCourcy is one of the best and unbiased basketball writers and he makes a good point in his take.

"The Washington Post published a piece this week showing that one-and-dones chosen later in the draft are underperforming others that are selected in the same neighborhood. There’s a reason for that. The absolutely magical talents can find their way, and will be given more time to get there. The rest become, well, the rest. It’s possible that will become Booker’s future now that he has short-cut pre-NBA development by standing up. That’s how the Kentucky players made their plans known. Calipari asked those who were entering the draft to stand, and all seven got to their feet, eventually. Booker is projected by Draft Express to be chosen with the 17th pick in the draft, and Jonathon Givony is a scout with a keen eye and excellent sources. But one wonders if the teams will be as impressed now that he has struggled with his jumpshot at key times (.323 from 3-point range in March) and been hammered on defense on the Final Four stage. Booker is not yet extraordinary in any NBA-level skill. Compared to many players who earn their livings as shooters, he is a good athlete. Compared to the majority of NBA wings, he is not. He has not yet learned the intricacies of how to get open; with Kentucky, it often was about him being free because defenses were occupied with the other high-level talents on the floor."

Home/Kentucky Wildcats News