Kentucky basketball: Predicting the starting lineup for 2018-19
By Drew Koch
Keldon Johnson will be UK’s best defender next season. Johnson is long and athletic and communicates well on defense. Defense is something Johnson enjoys. Check out the quote from Johnson via the Lexington Herald-Leader, “I’ve definitely always been vocal,” he said. “But I’m just trying to emphasize being more vocal on defense, because that’s the part that’s going to win most of our games when I get to the next level.”
The 5-star forward, according to Rivals, is listed as 6’6″, so there’s a chance Johnson plays small forward rather than shooting guard. But, given the way Kentucky’s roster is likely to look, Johnson will likely suit up and play the 2, not the 3.
As a 2-guard, Johnson would be a match up nightmare for both teams, not just on offense, but on defense as well. Johnson’s athleticism allows him to switch on defense, and his quickness will let him defend positions 1 through 4.
In the event that Hamidou Diallo returns to UK, Johnson will still start for the Wildcats, it’ll just be at a different position.