Kentucky Wildcats Basketball: Top Players at Each Position in the John Calipari Era
Sep 25, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) during media day at the Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
#1 Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
It takes a lot to top Darius Miller, but this player has done it once before battling for starting spots. He has the heart of a lion and the motor of the energizer bunny. The best Calipari small forward, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.
Let us not mistake Kidd-Gilchrist for something he is not. He is not your 20 points per game scorer, or your sharp shooter from the wing. His offensive game is his biggest struggle, but he does not let that detour him.
Kidd-Gilchrist is your “I wish I had a player like that” player. He welcomes the challenge of guarding the best player on the other team, he dives for every lose ball and runs as fast at the end of the game that he does at the beginning. He is all about the team, and doing whatever it takes to make the team win… sometimes even throwing in a powerful slam.
It is hard to find someone who is truly committed to winning and his teammates as much as Michael. After some staleness in the offense, he told Calipari before a game to let Miller get the start instead to boost his confidence. A rarity in any sport.
His unselfishness, along with 11.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game were enough to help bring the trophy back to the Old Kentucky Home. With championships brings love from the fans, and not many players received the same amount the Kidd-Gilchrist did from the big blue nation.
Even though he got everyone’s hopes up by saying he was coming back after a tough game against Vanderbilt, fans knew the reality of this stars future. Kidd-Gilchrist would go on to be the second pick in the NBA draft behind teammate Anthony Davis.
He is still finding his craft in the NBA, but has shown spurts of greatness. Regardless of what lies ahead, he has confirmed his spot a top of the Calipari rankings as the number one small forward.
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