Kentucky basketball: Predicting the starting lineup for 2018-19
By Drew Koch
Wenyen Gabriel was in and out of John Calipari’s starting lineup this past season for the Wildcats. He started 7 of Kentucky’s 37 games in 2017-18, and the case could be made that he played better as the sixth-man off the bench.
Never the less, if Calipari is unable to sign anymore front court players this offseason, Gabriel is likely the guy that he plugs in to start. That being said, if E.J. Montgomery commits to UK, Wenyen will likely return to his role off the Kentucky bench.
Gabriel gives the Cats the ability to rebound from the wing and spread the floor. Gabriel is a great catch-and-shoot player. He is at his best when the guards are attacking the basket and he is the beneficiary of help-defense.
Gabriel is a capable rebounder and solid defender. He gives Cal his first veteran presence since Derek Willis, and someone who is able to knock down the three-point shot. So, depending on how Kentucky finishes on the recruiting trail could have a great impact on Gabriel’s status. However, starter or not, Wenyen will see a lot of minutes from UK next season.