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Kentucky Basketball: The Dark Horse Contributor for the 2017-18 Wildcats

By Frank Spencer

Oct 17, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; A general view of Rupp Arena during the game with the Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans. Sacramento Kings defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 107-98. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; A general view of Rupp Arena during the game with the Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans. Sacramento Kings defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 107-98. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Every season, Kentucky Basketball exhibits one of the best teams in college basketball. Great coaching, great recruiting are commonplace. But, so is a dark horse contributor.

Last season saw Kentucky Basketball fans Dominique Hawkins step up big when it mattered most. The SEC Tournament served as the senior’s coming out party. Hawkins never really shined in the Wildcat uniform like other Calipari guards, but he is a true definition of a dark horse contributor.

Some other notable dark horses in the Calipari era would be Josh Harrelson, DeAndre Liggins, and Darius Miller. Miller would be included in the dark horse category based on his recruiting status prior to joining the Wildcats out of Mason County High School in Maysville, KY.

Who will it be?

There are a couple of options available for the dark horse contributor during the preseason. For example, the three players that come to mind are Sacha Killeya-Jones, Jemarl Baker, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Those three individuals will all contribute to some extent next season. Now, Baker and Alexander are both incoming freshman included with a loaded recruiting class. With multiple five-star recruits set to make their way to Lexington, those two young men are behind the gun somewhat. That is not so certain in the eyes of some fans.

Look for Baker, SKJ, and Alexander to make an impact on this squad in some way. Jones will provide frontcourt depth in a depleted big man rotation. Baker will make the three ball which will keep him on the floor in certain situations. The BBN loves the three point shot and every successful team has a shooter to depend on. This season, look for that man to be Jemarl Baker.

With that said, the unheralded dark horse for next season should be Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. After many fans push him to the back burner of the recruiting class, the kid can ball. There is no question that Alexander will contribute heavily to the success of this roster. John Calipari is one to develop guards and Alexander should be in his sights as far as a multi-year guy with great upside. He has a three point shot and length to guard along the perimeter. Projections for Alexander would be that he would get 10-15 minutes per game and average seven points, three rebounds, and three assists per contest.

Next: Projecting the 2017-18 Kentucky Basketball Starting 5

All accounts aside, the 6-foot-6 combo guard from Hamilton Heights in Chattanooga, TN will make his presence known in a hurry as the Dark Horse of the 2017-18 Kentucky Basketball team.

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