Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The Top 5 stories making headlines in Kentucky Wildcats Basketball for Thursday, April 16, 2015.
A new name has emerged in John Calipari’s quest to restock the cupboard left partially bare when 7 Wildcats announced their decision last week to enter the NBA Draft. Kyle Tucker writes:
"“Seven is a lot, Kentucky coach John Calipari is finding out.The Wildcats’ search for talent to replace a septet of early NBA draft entrees has led them to an unusual place: the junior-college ranks. More specifically, to Vincennes University shooting guard Mychal Mulder.Calipari has courted and may soon offer a scholarship to the 6-foot-4, 185-pound sophomore sharpshooter who led his team with 15.7 points per game and hit 46.3 percent of his 3-point attempts (88 of 190) this season. Like Kentucky, the Trailblazers spent most of the year atop the national rankings and completed an undefeated regular season before finishing 33-2.”"
On Wednesday, Tyus Jones announced he was entering the NBA Draft after one year at Duke. The Final Four MOP joins two other Duke freshman—Jahlil Okafor and Justice Winslow—as early entrants in the draft from Duke. Interestingly, Jones’ decision potentially affects Kentucky recruiting. Ben Roberts writes:
"“Duke point guard Tyus Jones announced Wednesday that he will move on to the NBA after one season with the Blue Devils.That means Coach Mike Krzyzewski is looking for a new point guard, and his No. 1 target is one of John Calipari’s biggest recruiting priorities for the class of 2016.”"
Skal Labissiere is spending a few days with a few of the remaining uncommitted recruits in the class of 2015 and he’s doing his best recruiting pitch to get them to join him in Lexington. Adam Zagoria writes:
"“For the next three days, Kentucky-bound big man Skal Labissiere will be doing his best to get the uncommitted guys in the Jordan Brand Classic to join him next year in Lexington.That group includes Malik Newman, Jaylen Brown and Stephen Zimmerman — all of whom have yet to declare their college plans.‘I talked to [Zimmerman] a little bit [Tuesday],’ the 7-foot Labissiere told SNY.tv Wednesday at the Jordan Brand Classic practice. ‘I talk to Jaylen a lot, talked to Malik a little bit but Jaylen Brown I talk to him the most.’”"
The 2015-2016 college basketball season will, in all honesty, be much different for the Wildcats than the season that just ended. But what, exactly, will change (other than the names on the back of the jerseys)? Bobby Reagan writes:
"“The college basketball season has ended, and it’s time for a plethora of changes for the Kentucky basketball team. This is expected, as guys commonly declare early for the NBA draft and a new batch of stars comes to Lexington to try to win a ninth NCAA championship.Still, this year will be slightly different, as seven players—Andrew Harrison, Aaron Harrison, Karl-Anthony Towns, Trey Lyles, Willie Cauley-Stein, Devin Booker and Dakari Johnson—declared for the draft. Usually, only two-to-four guys leave the program, but next year we’ll truly see a completely different team.”"
Anthony Davis is 22 years old. And he pretty much single-handedly got the New Orleans Pelicans into the NBA Playoffs last night. David Fisher writes:
"“The Pelicans reached out and took a trip to the playoffs. It was not gifted to them. The Spurs did not lay down. Davis reached his long arms out there and snatched the victory for himself.”"