Kentucky Basketball: Bam Adebayo Could Be Special

Physical Gifts

John Calipari has built a 2016-17 roster that’s flush with explosive athletes. No athlete is more intriguing than power forward Bam Adebayo, who has the physical profile of a genuinely elite NBA athlete.

According to Larry Vaught of Lex18.com, Adebayo’s high school coach, Brandon Clifford, described his athleticism as, “Freakish.”

"“He is 6-10, 265 (pounds). Take that with freak athleticism — he can run, he can jump, he’s s super coordinated.” “He’s a super quick jumper. He can come down and go back up quicker than some can jump once.”"

Kentucky basketball needs strength and toughness down low, and that’s exactly what Adebayo provides,

Adebayo is listed at 225 pounds, but regardless of which number is correct, he’s a muscular individual. If he decides to throw his weight around on the low block, there aren’t many players in college basketball who can stop him.

That, combined with his explosive leaping ability, creates immense potential on both ends of the floor.

Strictly talking athleticism, the Shawn Kemp comparison is fair.

In 2016-17, one of the most valuable aspects of Adebayo’s athleticism will be his ability to run the floor. Kentucky has a number of great athletes at guard, including Isaiah Briscoe, De’Aaron Fox, and Malik Monk.

Adebayo moves like a 3 with the body of a 4 and the strength of a 5. Physically, he’s somewhere in between Dwight Howard and Kemp.

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