Who Goes, Who Stays: 2021 Edition

[George]

He's a Mickey D's AA for a reason. Only saw him play one time a few weeks ago on ESPN. I would've took his game right then over what we had at PG this season. That's no slouch towards Askew, either. He couldn't help it. This reclassifying stuff has got to stop. Askew looked like a HS kid and for good reason.

Whitney was a McD’s AA, too.

Hickman has potential, and he’d have probably been an upgrade this season just because he knows how to play PG. But if we’re counting on him to run the team from day one, we’re in trouble. Again.

The plan has always been to bring him in as a secondary option who could develop over time. When Cal took him, Cal also thought he was getting Sallis, who is more like the freshman guards who have led our teams in the past. Losing the thread on that recruitment messed up the plan, so now Cal will push hard for Skyy Clark to reclassify (neither really wants that), or work hard to land a solid transfer option or two.

[GOCAT15]

It's really a shame that we aren't going to get to see Jaden Hardy in a Kentucky uniform. Had hoped Cal could convince him that coming to UK would be better for him than the pro route, but this year has proved it doesn't matter. Most of the High Schoolers that took the pro route are still slated to be drafted about where they had thought they would a year ago, so it's hard to argue that going to a big name college on tv every night matters as much as some think.

He draws comparisons to Bradley Beal concerning his offensive game....that sure would've been nice.

[George]

It's really a shame that we aren't going to get to see Jaden Hardy in a Kentucky uniform. Had hoped Cal could convince him that coming to UK would be better for him than the pro route, but this year has proved it doesn't matter. Most of the High Schoolers that took the pro route are still slated to be drafted about where they had thought they would a year ago, so it's hard to argue that going to a big name college on tv every night matters as much as some think.

He draws comparisons to Bradley Beal concerning his offensive game....that sure would've been nice.

Yeah, Hardy looks like a stud. Exactly what we need for next year, too.

Making matters worse is that three of the big four who took the G-League route this year (Green, Kuminga, and Todd) had good-to-great years. Nix did fine, too, but nothing to rave about.

[GOCAT15]

Yeah, Hardy looks like a stud. Exactly what we need for next year, too.

Making matters worse is that three of the big four who took the G-League route this year (Green, Kuminga, and Todd) had good-to-great years. Nix did fine, too, but nothing to rave about.

Yep, plus I think most of the ones you mentioned made six figures doing it. Definitely going to be hard for the top few to go this route every year, especially since these guys are out there saying it was a great experience and they learned a lot playing against pros.

[George]

Yep, plus I think most of the ones you mentioned made six figures doing it. Definitely going to be hard for the top few to go this route every year, especially since these guys are out there saying it was a great experience and they learned a lot playing against pros.

We shouldn't overstate it, of course. To do what those three did, you need to be elite. Lots of guys are going to get burned by the route. But, it'll work for some. Cade could've done it, for example. Bates probably will, too. I'll give you $20.00 if he plays for Michigan State.

[GOCAT15]

We shouldn't overstate it, of course. To do what those three did, you need to be elite. Lots of guys are going to get burned by the route. But, it'll work for some. Cade could've done it, for example. Bates probably will, too. I'll give you $20.00 if he plays for Michigan State.

Without a doubt, and to me this year was an exception, most years there are not that many NBA ready type players coming out of HS, usually one or two legit ones at most.

[Joneslab]

Individually the players who jumped did great. I do notice that the Ignite team they put all those guys on was the worst in its division.

Not that that means anything, because Kuminga and Green in particular will be mainstays in the NBA next year. I do wonder if somebody like Kuminga would've been the #1 pick had he gone to college.

[George]

Mintz posted a cryptic IG story that has people thinking he’s coming back.

Take it fwiw (which probably isn’t much).

[George]

Isaiah Jackson is officially testing the waters, but will not hire an agent.

[George]

IMO, Brooks is your odd-man out in that situation. I'd hate to see it -- really want a junior Brooks -- but roster-wise, it'd make the most sense.

[GOCAT15]

Would love to see Isaiah Jackson as a sophomore but I think he’ll take his 1st round guarantee and move on. Although he could easily work his way into the lottery next year.

[Joneslab]

Jackson/Tshiebwe up front with Collins and the other guys backing up is something to think about.

Jackson could be a superstar.

[George]

Jackson/Tshiebwe up front with Collins and the other guys backing up is something to think about.

Jackson could be a superstar.

I read that UK has been like a Lazarus pit for Tshiebwe. He loves being there and has been locked in since day one.

His sub-par performance last season seems to have been a personal decision.

[85 Fly]

He's a Mickey D's AA for a reason. Only saw him play one time a few weeks ago on ESPN. I would've took his game right then over what we had at PG this season. That's no slouch towards Askew, either. He couldn't help it. This reclassifying stuff has got to stop. Askew looked like a HS kid and for good reason.

I've seen more than one of his games...and an entire season (or two) of many of the 2020 "elite class" of players that I thought was a no-brainer for us to grab...so much for that! I'm just saying lets exhale/pump our breaks on the great expectations.

[Joneslab]

Going back to Jackson...I still think he's going to grade out very well when he does these workouts. I don't know if he'll be a lottery pick but I imagine he'll be close. And if you're close to the lottery then it's very hard to turn that down. He'll have teams who will absolutely be all over him to stay in the draft.

Would put the possibility of him returning very, very low. Tucker probably has good info on Jackson but I think things will radically change when the family gets a chance to talk to NBA people. I think there are going to be some tough discussions with the Boston family with NBA people. Not so with Jackson. They will beg him to keep his name in, IMO.