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Kentucky basketball: John Calipari’s 5 best recruiting classes

By Drew Koch

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 04: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 4, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 04: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the NCAA Men's Final Four Semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 4, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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LEXINGTON, KY – MARCH 07: Tyler Ulis #3, Devin Booker #1, EJ Floreal #24 and Dominique Hawkins #25 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrate following the game against the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena on March 7, 2015 in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky won 67-50 to finish the regular 31-0. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY – MARCH 07: Tyler Ulis #3, Devin Booker #1, EJ Floreal #24 and Dominique Hawkins #25 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrate following the game against the Florida Gators at Rupp Arena on March 7, 2015 in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky won 67-50 to finish the regular 31-0. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

4. Class of 2014

Oh what could have been. Kentucky basketball fans have bittersweet memories of the 2014-15 season. Yes, BBN, the 38-1 team. The Blue Platoon and White Platoon. By far, the most talented team, top to bottom John Calipari ever had.

The Class of 2014 included Karl-Anthony Towns (5), Trey Lyles (13) and Tyler Ulis (21). All three were Top 25 recruits according to Rivals. But wait, don’t forget about Devin Booker (29). Yes, perhaps the biggest difference-maker on the Wildcats that year was ranked outside the Top 25.

While the 38-1 record speaks for itself, don’t forget that the Harrison twins, Willie Cauley-Stein, Dakari Johnson, Marcus Lee, Dominique Hawkins and Derek Willis were all part of the 2014-15 squad. Alex Poythress was also on the team, but was limited to only 8 games that season because of injury.

The 2014-15 season will always be remembered for what could’ve been. However, it should be remembered as one of Calipari’s best recruiting jobs. Landing all that talent and meshing it with the existing talent on the team proved to not be easy. Honestly, even with all that talent, it may have been Calipari’s most difficult season at UK.

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