2016 Recruit Watch

[Joneslab]

For UK or general across basketball?

Both.

UK doesn't have a lot of can't-miss pros outside the obvious (Skal, Murray, Poythress).

Ulis may jump, but it would take a colossal season and even then he'd still be risking the second round. And yet even if he goes then Fox should be there to soften that loss.

Think we return a lot of these role guys.

[George]

Lee's a really weird player. I actually thought he should've played a little more last year.

It was hard to take WCS out of the game, but I tend to think Lee is a little more polished than WCS was. Maybe not in terms of back-to-the-basket offense, but he's a sneaky good passer. And I saw him in the practice in the YUM! bucket just drilling 17-footers.

I don't expect a colossal season or anything, but it used to be said that raw big men made the jump between their sophomore and junior seasons. There were times last year when he played extended minutes and really helped us. Other times (West Virginia) when he looked like a fish out of water.

It'll be interesting to see, but I've always liked him as a player. He brings a lot more than guys who are that raw usually do.

All I know is good things do tend to happen when Lee is on the court. Energy, momentum, spark - whatever you want to call it, Lee brings it.

[Joneslab]

Interestingly, Rothstein has a little piece that features Marcus Lee this morning. Says he's ready for a "major jump."

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/25314933/observations-kentuckys-marcus-lee-is-ready-for-a-major-jump-as-a-junior

[KevinHall]

This is his time now. He wasn't going to play over Randle, Stein, Johnson and others the last two years. He has that chance now. I think he will do very well.

[Joneslab]

Coach K has his entire staff in to see Wenyen Gabriel today. Trying to get Giles, Tatum, and Gabriel.

Don't think that happens. But if it does, engrave the trophy.

[JFCats22]

Coach K has his entire staff in to see Wenyen Gabriel today. Trying to get Giles, Tatum, and Gabriel.

Don't think that happens. But if it does, engrave the trophy.

Yikes...almost like he is trying to prove he is better at this than Cal. Wow, that would be a disaster for UK.

[Joneslab]

After DeLaurier committed yesterday, that they would turn around and go after Gabriel this hard suggests they might be trying to wrap up their frontcourt in the early season.

Not sure what that means with Giles, if anything. But Giles/Tatum/Gabriel/DeLaurier? That makes no sense.

[Joneslab]

^ Unless Giles is absolutely committed to going in as a package deal with Tatum, no matter what the numbers look like.

[JFCats22]

^ Unless Giles is absolutely committed to going in as a package deal with Tatum, no matter what the numbers look like.

Everyone and I mean everyone I talk to in STL says Tatum is convinced Giles is headed to Duke, and, openly talks about it. I still would be shocked if Giles went anywhere other than Duke.

I was at Chaminade (Tatum's school) last week for my son's soccer game. Tatum was there - it was a circus.

DeLaurier is the one that kinda throws me off. I can easily see Giles/Tatum/Gabriel together. Not sure if DeLaurier is expecting immediate playing time or could even contribute immediately.

[Joneslab]

DeLaurier is maybe somebody who wanted the challenge of Duke. Not sure they even put much pressure on him.

They also have Chase Jeter, who isn't going to be a one-and-done IMO. So at the very least there's some ammunition for Cal to recruit against.

[KevinHall]

I read in the LHL that Kobi Simmons has narrowed his schools down to UK,Ohio State and UNLV. His dad said they are not taking anymore visits either.

[JFCats22]

Some strong rumors out there that 5* Wenyen Gabriel will be committing to UK. Would be a very nice pickup for Cal. People say that he has one of the biggest upsides of anyone in the class and a chance to improve a lot before getting on campus.

[JFCats22]

Boom!!!

Ben Roberts ‏@NextCats 1m1 minute ago
Five-star power forward Wenyen Gabriel has committed to Kentucky.

T.J. Walker ‏@TWalkerRivals 33s33 seconds ago
Wenyen Gabriel has committed to UK.

Matt Jones ‏@KySportsRadio 46s47 seconds ago
Wenyen Gabriel has committed to Kentucky

[Joneslab]

Killeya-Jones, Gabriel, I think Kentucky gets Fox.

That's a good backbone. Then you have to hope he's able to get Monk and possibly Alkins. I'm sure he'll keep pressing on Bolden for the frontcourt, but not sure about him.

Killeya/Gabriel/Fox/Monk/Alkins would be right up there with anything Cal has brought in.

[George]

Really hoping for Fox and Monk. Fox is possibly the fastest PG since John Wall, to go along with gobs of skill; kid's the real deal. Monk, as you all probably know, is as explosive as it gets. Those two are both studs, and I want them in UK Blue. Don't know a ton about Alkins, but I'll do my homework.