Kentucky basketball: What are the chances everyone returns?

Most likely to return

While there are no guarantees, I feel pretty confident that UK will have several of this year’s players returning next season. Wenyen Gabriel, Quade Green, PJ Washington and Jemarl Baker will likely all be back on campus for the 2018-19 season.

Wenyen Gabriel, until recently, was the only non-freshman giving John Calipari any production. Cal was after Gabriel all season to be more like Derek Willis, a senior from last year’s team. Gabriel averaged 6.8 points and 5.4 rebounds on the season. Those just aren’t numbers that make NBA scouts go “Wow”.

I love Gabriel’s hustle and energy, but one, if not two more years of college competition would do wonders for Gabriel going forward. Gabriel’s 7-for-7 three-point performance against Alabama in the SEC Tournament showed what the 6’9″ junior-to-be is capable of. I think he returns to Lexington next season.

Quade Green was supposed to be the starting point guard for the Kentucky basketball team this season. An injured back quickly vaulted Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to that position and SGA never looked back. Green averaged 9.3 points on the season and shot 37% from downtown. Those stats, combined with Green’s height (6’0″), make it highly unlike he would get drafted this year.

Green is a very good all-around player, but it was obvious once Gilgeous-Alexander got starters minutes, that it was better for the Cats if Quade came off the bench. I think Green is better playing as the off guard. With incoming-freshman Immanuel Quickley slated to play for Kentucky next season, Green could be one of the biggest benefactors.

PJ Washington, everyone’s favorite punching bag right now, could be the most dominant player on Kentucky’s team if he returns next season. Washington, should he return, should be plugged in immediately as UK’s starting forward. The only reason the Wildcats weren’t blown out by K-State was because of Washington.

Yes, Kentucky basketball fans will definitely want to see PJ practicing his free throws all summer. Washington would also add a great deal to his game if he were able to knock down even 30% from downtown. In my opinion, of all the players on this year’s team, PJ has the most to gain by returning for his sophomore season.

Jemarl Baker was unable to suit up for a single game this season after suffering a knee injury before the season started. I think it’s highly likely that Baker returns for the Kentucky Wildcats next season. Baker, combined with incoming-freshman Tyler Herro, will bring some much needed three-point shooting to the Kentucky basketball team next season.