Kentucky basketball: John Calipari has high praise for EJ Montgomery

Kentucky basketball coach, John Calipari, had high praise for incoming freshman forward EJ Montgomery. Cal compared Montgomery’s game to one of his best players ever, Anthony Davis.

Anthony Davis was a once-in-a-generation talent. He led the Kentucky basketball team to the 2012 National Championship. Now, John Calipari has a new freshman that he’s hoping is similar to Davis. In fact, Cal says that incoming big man EJ Montgomery models his game after that of The Brow. Let’s hope the results are the same.

Davis was the larger-than-life hero that Big Blue Nation worshiped on game day. Davis was an offensive weapon and a defensive stopper. All of BBN will remember the game-saving block he had against North Carolina. Or how Davis staked claim to the court after knocking off the Louisville Cardinals in the Final Four.

Can EJ Montgomery be that good? According to Calipari, via UK Athletics, Montgomery is going to be a special player.

"“He can play just about anywhere and make plays on the perimeter with his skills and versatility, yet he’s got the length and the ability to finish in the post as well as anyone in this class. What I love about him is he models his game after Anthony Davis, one of the best we’ve ever had, but wants to be his own player and carve out his legacy.”"

Calipari saying he wants to “carve out his own legacy,” gives the Kentucky basketball coach an out when the quote-savvy media want challenge Cal for comparing Montgomery to Davis.

Montgomery will be a vital piece to UK’s squad next season. There’s still questions about who, if any, from the Wildcats’ front court returns to Lexington next fall. PJ Washington, Wenyen Gabriel and Jarred Vanderbilt have until May 30th to remove their names from consideration for the 2018 NBA Draft.