2017 Recruit Watch

[GOCAT15]

If Briscoe doesn't improve his perimeter game to NBA standards, is there any chance he returns next year?

Unless something drastic happens with his shot, he will be a fringe second rounder at best. It will be another Dakari Johnson situation if you ask me, he will feel like he has to leave and then go down to the D-league to try and develop more.

If his shot can get much better(which it has gotten better since last year) then I think he will be a late second rounder. I just don't see him sticking around another year but that's just a gut feeling.

[85 Fly]

^^^ Yeah I don't see him sticking around another year but he should...he should pull a Buddy Hield: stay four years, develop more, get diploma and enter the draft in a better position IF he continues to work on his game.

[85 Fly]

I watched HS basketball Hamilton Heights vs Memphis East to see Gilgeous-Alexander play...he's a little too raw, out of control with shot selection but he is fast, not Fox speed but he also has some athleticism , gonna be interesting to see if Cal has him starting next year.

P.S.- I meant to reference Fox not Monk...

[GOCAT15]

I watched HS basketball Hamilton Heights vs Memphis East to see Gilgeous-Alexander play...he's a little too raw, out of control with shot selection but he is fast, not Monk speed but he also has some athleticism , gonna be interesting to see if Cal has him starting next year.

I don't think that is Cal's hope, I think he is more of a WCS project. You need to land a few of these kids that need some work and then hope it pays off in a year or two. I think that is why he committed here, because he knows Cal will do all he can to get him prepared to become a player at the next level.

[George]

I don't think that is Cal's hope, I think he is more of a WCS project. You need to land a few of these kids that need some work and then hope it pays off in a year or two. I think that is why he committed here, because he knows Cal will do all he can to get him prepared to become a player at the next level.

On the other hand, it can be a bit troubling when Cal reaches down for these kids, given his track record. If he gets a Shai Alexander, you can't help but wonder if it signals a lack of confidence about landing a primary target.

Plus, guys like Charles Matthews and Stacey Poole have obviously had a hard time with the "project" process. It's got to be tough being the "development" kid, waiting your turn, when all the while other guys - younger guys - are coming in, taking your spot, then heading out the door to make millions of dollars. They may say that they knew what they were getting into, but in private it's got to be demoralizing, at times.

[GOCAT15]

On the other hand, it can be a bit troubling when Cal reaches down for these kids, given his track record. If he gets a Shai Alexander, you can't help but wonder if it signals a lack of confidence about landing a primary target.

Plus, guys like Charles Matthews and Stacey Poole have obviously had a hard time with the "project" process. It's got to be tough being the "development" kid, waiting your turn, when all the while other guys - younger guys - are coming in, taking your spot, then heading out the door to make millions of dollars. They may say that they knew what they were getting into, but in private it's got to be demoralizing, at times.

100% agree that it's tough to be the "project" kid, surrounded by future first rounders.

I don't necessarily think it's troubling that Cal reached down for this kid, there are numerous analysts that say he is on the rise and will not end up as low on the rankings as he is now(not that it really matters). I think this is just more of a situation that Cal knows he's going to need bodies after this season(even more than usual), especially at the guard position, and it would be hard to turn down a kid just because he is not a top 10 recruit, even if Green and Shai cost us Trae, I think it was the smart play. Once Trae didn't commit early like we all thought he may, I think Cal's confidence level went down on him and he had to take what he could.

It's tough to get kids like Mathews to stick around, and who knows how he'll turn out, but I hated seeing him leave because he's sitting out this year anyway. If he would've stayed here, improved his game in practice and got better this season, although he wouldn't have got any PT at all, then next season he may have been an integral piece. Time will tell how much he improves by next season but I for one wished he would've stayed.

[George]

100% agree that it's tough to be the "project" kid, surrounded by future first rounders.

I don't necessarily think it's troubling that Cal reached down for this kid, there are numerous analysts that say he is on the rise and will not end up as low on the rankings as he is now(not that it really matters). I think this is just more of a situation that Cal knows he's going to need bodies after this season(even more than usual), especially at the guard position, and it would be hard to turn down a kid just because he is not a top 10 recruit, even if Green and Shai cost us Trae, I think it was the smart play. Once Trae didn't commit early like we all thought he may, I think Cal's confidence level went down on him and he had to take what he could.

It's tough to get kids like Mathews to stick around, and who knows how he'll turn out, but I hated seeing him leave because he's sitting out this year anyway. If he would've stayed here, improved his game in practice and got better this season, although he wouldn't have got any PT at all, then next season he may have been an integral piece. Time will tell how much he improves by next season but I for one wished he would've stayed.

Yep. Same could've been said for Wiltjer, of course. Not sure about Poole, though. He wound up leaving Georgia Tech, too, after his brother* was dismissed.

*I remember a popular fan conspiracy that had Cal offering Stacey Poole for the sole purpose of making in-roads to his brother, who was a top-ranked PG at the time. Looks like things didn't quite work out for either of them.

[Joneslab]

Solomon Poole was a much better player than Stacey. Solomon had a decent career at Florida Atlantic.

Stacey Poole just wasn't very good. Probably Calipari's one definite recruiting mistake.

[GOCAT15]

Vanderbilt down to Four, UK is one of them.

[catfaninin]

Not news we wanted to hear. Sounds like Diallo is considering enrolling at UConn for 2nd semester this year. Don't like hearing it from Jerry Meyer. He usually knows what he is talking about.

There is a mention of this possibly happening for UK as well but it's not clear if it has been considered or if there is even an open scholarship.

http://www.aseaofblue.com/2016/12/20...-next-semester

[GOCAT15]

Not news we wanted to hear. Sounds like Diallo is considering enrolling at UConn for 2nd semester this year. Don't like hearing it from Jerry Meyer. He usually knows what he is talking about.

There is a mention of this possibly happening for UK as well but it's not clear if it has been considered or if there is even an open scholarship.

http://www.aseaofblue.com/2016/12/20...-next-semester

I'd say if he does enroll early it won't be at UK. Hope he waits until next season.

I'm sure he has people in his ear trying to fast track him to the NBA, even though most analysts say he is not ready and needs a year in college.

[Matt Dillon]

It doesn't sound good for UK.

http://www.kentucky.com/sports/colle...122199854.html

[Joneslab]

Diallo was always a huge gamble. He clearly wants to play professional basketball next season, so even if you got a commitment out of him you might never see him play.

[Joneslab]

Jarred Vanderbilt, a 5-star forward from Houston, is announcing at noon today.

[BobS]

Jarred Vanderbilt, a 5-star forward from Houston, is announcing at noon today.

All signs point to UK.