Wildcat Blue Nation
Fansided

E.J. Montgomery makes Kentucky basketball dangerous next season

By Drew Koch

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 22: The Kentucky Wildcats mascot takes the court prior to the first half during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Kansas State Wildcats at Philips Arena on March 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 22: The Kentucky Wildcats mascot takes the court prior to the first half during the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Kansas State Wildcats at Philips Arena on March 22, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Wildcats made a splash on the recruiting trail Monday. E.J. Montgomery  committed to play for John Calipari and the Kentucky basketball program on Monday. Montgomery’s addition makes the Wildcats a true Final Four threat next season.

The University of Kentucky landed a huge commitment on Monday. E.J. Montgomery announced via Instagram that he’s going to play for the Kentucky basketball program in 2018-19. Kentucky’s recruiting class and prospects for next season looked a bit shaky before Montgomery’s commitment. Now that he’s in the fold, Kentucky is a real threat to make a run at the Final Four and a National Championship next season.

E.J. Montgomery, ranked No. 12 in the class of 2018 by 24/7 Sports, fills a big need for Coach Cal and the Kentucky basketball team next season. Montgomery is 6’10”, 200-pounds and will be find a home in the paint for the Wildcats next season.

Kentucky never had that guy last season. Sacha Killeya-Jones, who will be transferring away from Kentucky, was the more-athletic big but he rarely got a lot of playing time. Nick Richards played poorly throughout most of the season and was a starter in name only late in the season.

John Calipari has always had success at Kentucky when he has a dominant force in the middle. In 2012-13, Nerlens Noel went down with an injury. In 2015-16, Skal Labissiere never materialized into the player Big Blue Nation thought he was going to be. This past year was more of the same with Richards and SKJ.

With Kentucky likely to return such players as Quade Green, Jarred Vanderbilt, Wenyen Gabriel and PJ Washington, Coach Cal will not be as dependent as he was this season on his younger players. However, the freshman class of Immanuel Quickley, Tyler Herro, Keldon Johnson and Montgomery will receive plenty of playing time.

If Kentucky’s roster, when all is said and done, looks like that come the Wildcats’ opening game against Duke next season, I think we’re looking at a team that can contend for the National Championship. Montgomery’s commitment does not solidify UK as a title contender in 2018-19, but it definitely puts them in the conversation.

Home/Kentucky basketball recruiting