UK Basketball Recruiting

Recruiting Thoughts:
The University of Kentucky (UK) has at least three (3) scholarships to provide for the class of 2010. UK will have departures of Ramon Harris, Perry Stevenson and Jodie Meeks (scholarship not used). In addition, UK may have additional two (2) or three (3) departures with Patrick Patterson, John Wall, and/or DeMarcus Cousins. Therefore, it seems safe to say that UK will need to recruit at least four (4) and maybe as much as six (6) scholarship players. I have bolded, italic and underlined whom I believe are the most likely additions. I have also provided a priority order within each position based on my beliefs. My beliefs are driven by other blogs, Internet reporting and news articles. I have no inside sources! These are my thoughts as of today.

PG:
1. Brandon Knight (6-3) 5* - Ft. Lauderdale, FL (UK, Florida, UCONN)
2. Josh Selby (6-2) 5* - Baltimore, MD (UK, Memphis, UCONN)
3. Kyrie Irving (6-1) 5* - Elizabeth, NJ (Duke, IU, UK, UCONN)
4. Joe Jackson (5-11) 5* - Memphis, TN (Memphis, UK, Tenn)
5. Keala King (6-5) 4* - Compton, CA

SG:
1. Doran Lamb (6-4) 5* - Mouth of Wilson, VA (UK, OU, Kansas)
2. Jeremy Lamb (6-3) 3* - Norcross, GA

SF:
1. Cameron Clark (6-6) 4* - Sherman, TX
2. Harrison Barnes (6-6) 5* - Ames, IA (Duke, Kansas, Iowa St.)
3. Dominique Ferguson (6-9) 5* - Indianapolis, IN (Arizona, IU, UK)

PF:
1. C.J. Leslie (6-8) 5* - Raleigh, NC (UK, NC, Duke)
2. Tobias Harris (6-7) 4* - Dix Hills, NY (Syracuse, UCONN, UK)

C:
1. Adreian Payne (6-10) 5* - Dayton, OH (UK, West Virginia)

I’m very impressed with our new coaching staff and their ability to raise an interest level in all of these 5 and 4 star basketball players. A recruiting class of Knight, Lamb, Leslie and Payne would be huge! Probably another #1 class but definitely top 5. Wow! My next three guesses would be Selby, Clark and Harris and probably in that order.

As noted in a previous post, Brandon Knight and Adreian Payne were both rumored to be close to commitments. Since then, Brandon Knight’s mother has visited UK alone and was very impressed with UK for academics. Brandon has had straight A’s for 11 years. She also indicated that she would be visiting UConn soon. I believe Brandon’s recruiting will come down to UK, UConn and Florida. Regarding Adreian Payne, his high school coach has indicated that no decision has been made or he would know about it. However, chatter has indicated that this race is between West Virginia and UK. Bob Huggins has a lot of contacts still in the Ohio area. UK is only 2 hours from his home in Dayton while West Virginia is 5 hours away. Hopefully that works for UK’s advantage.

New chatter is indicating that C.J. Leslie could be UK’s first commitment in August. This is the first I have heard of this and is coming from the Courier-Journal in Louisville and Dave Kersey of the Cat’s Pause. C.J. was a teammate of John Wall’s in Raleigh, NC. C.J. Leslie is a huge get to this class. Finally, numerous people indicate that Josh Selby is UK’s if we want him. However, a decision will not be made until late signing period so he will have a full recruiting experience. Jody Demling of the Courier-Journal indicated that “UK will get a good point guard – one of the top four – and there’s not that big of a difference (from 1-4).” Personally, I enjoy watching Tobias Harris. This kid will be a better version of Jamal Mashburn if that seems possible. Maybe Mr. Harris will allow UK to get more involved. He currently has a very long list of suitors. GO BIG BLUE!