[I][SIZE=1]Kentucky’s Michael Gilchrist in Action[/SIZE][/I]
High School Basketball is in full swing and several major Holiday Tournaments got underway over the weekend. In Kansas City, they had the HyVee Classic while down in Fort Myers, Florida, the 38th Annual City of Palms is underway.
Several of Kentucky’s 2011 commits, recruits and 2012 UK targets are in action. Here is a quick recap of the weekend.
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[SIZE=3][B]CLASS OF 2011[/B][/SIZE]
[B]- MICHAEL GILCHRIST – Kentucky Commit[/B]
6-6, 190 lb, Small Forward. St. Patrick, Elizabeth, New Jersey
#3 Nationally – #1 Small Forward – Rivals
Mike was an absolute beast in the semi-finals of the City of Palm Classic shooting 15-23, scoring 34 points, grabbing 13 rebounds, dishing out 2 assists and blocking 1 shot as his St Patrick’s team defeats Mater Dei, 71-61.
Watch St Patricks and Michael Gilchrist, on ESPNU Wednesday night at 9:30PM Eastern.
ESPN :: Gilchrist, who is always under the evaluation microscope, has had the No. 1 rated player target on his back for some time and always seems to rise to the occasion when challenged. The kid is a winner with the disposition to dominate and does the dirty work that leads to championships.
[B]- ANTHONY DAVIS – Kentucky Commit[/B]
6-10, 220 lb, Power Forward. Perspectives Charter, Chicago, Illinois.
#6 Nationally – #2 Power Forward – Rivals
Anthony Davis had 46 points, grabbed 19 rebounds, blocked 8 shots and had 5 steals…in a loss. Harper 74, Perspectives-MSA 66.
ESPN :: No one in the 2011 class has elevated their game like Davis. He has gone from a relative unknown to being considered one of the top if not the top prospect in the country. He possesses a refreshingly untainted outlook because he has not been coddled since a young age and should have a tremendous future as a future Wildcat.
[B]- KYLE WILTJER – Kentucky Commit[/B]
6-9, 225 lb, Power Forward. Jesuit, Portland, Oregon.
#25 Nationally – #6 Power Forward – Rivals.
Kentucky signee Kyle Wiltjer scored 17 points as Portland Jesuit knocked off Central Catholic 78-71 on Friday night.
ESPN :: May be the most skilled power forward in the class. He can score from anywhere on the floor and is a match up nightmare. He can pass and handle the ball as well. Needs to attempt to improve his foot speed and quickness and add strength but this young man can flat out make plays on the offensive end of the floor against anyone in the high school ranks. We consider him a cross between Keith Van Horn and Kevin McHale.
[B]- MARQUIS TEAGUE – Kentucky Commit[/B]
6-2, 170 lb, Point Guard. Pike, Indianapolis, Indiana.
#2 Nationally – #1 Point Guard – Rivals
Marquis Teague of Pike is averaging 21 pts/game through the first 6 games this year.
ESPN :: Teague is [B]built for Kentucky’s dribble-drive offense[/B] and should excel when demanded to defend to his capabilities under Calipari’s tutelage. He is different than John Wall in that he is more an explosive power pack as opposed to a thoroughbred, but should flourish within the system in much the same way.
[B]- TREVOR LACEY – UK Target[/B]
6-3, 190 lb, Shooting Guard. Butler High, Huntsville, Alabama.
#34 Nationally – #7 Shooting Guard – Rivals.
Uncommitted senior Trevor Lacey poured in 30 points as Butler took down Sylacauga 74-70 on Saturday in the consolation game of the Marble City Classic.
ESPN :: When you talk about this guy in the state of Alabama the one word that is echoed is “Winner”. He’s won two state championships and will have a great opportunity for a third. If he finds the right situation and fit for his game he could be a very good four year player who helps his school be very successful.
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[SIZE=3][B]CLASS OF 2012[/B][/SIZE]
[B]- PERRY ELLIS – UK Target[/B]
6-8, 220 lb, Power Forward, Wichita Heights, Wichita, Kansas
#19 Nationally – #6 Power Forward – Rivals
Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Memphis, Oklahoma, Wichita State
After only playing 6 minutes in the first half, due to two charging fouls, Ellis got on fire ending the game 10-10 from the field, scoring 23 points and grabbing eight rebounds in Wichita Heights’ 86-69 win over Nixa (Mo.) on Saturday.
ESPN :: A fine athlete who runs the floor like a sprinter, Ellis has really improved his skills facing the basket and should be considered a combo forward at this point. He’s got a good-looking jumper, but what’s really impressive is his ability to catch, face from 15-20 feet and attack the basket full speed off of the dribble going to his right or left.
[B]- KYLE ANDERSON – UK Target[/B]
6-8, 215 lb, Point Guard. St Anthony, Jersey City, New Jersey
#5 National – #1 Point Guard – Rivals
Forward Kyle Anderson finished with 23 points and 10 boards as St. Anthony held off Gill-St. Bernard School 62-50 on Sunday at the Hoop Group Tip-Off in South Orange, N.J.
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ESPN :: Anderson is a very skilled perimeter player with great size. He is a match up problem on both ends because he can score inside and out in addition to being an excellent passer and ball handler. Anderson must play harder on both ends especially defensively. He is very talented, versatile and has great upside.
[B]- ALEX MURPHY – UK Target[/B]
6-8, 180 lb, Small Forward. St. Mark’s, Southborough, Massachusetts.
#11 Nationally – #1 Small Forward – Rivals.
Alex had the dunk of the tourney, so far, as he put one down over a 7 footer.
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ESPN :: Murphy brings great size, skill and feel for the game to the small forward position. He is a match up problem because of his size and even could be a face up power forward in a small line up.
[B]- SHABAZZ MUHAMMAD – UK Target[/B]
6-5, 190 lbs, Shooting Guard. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas, Nevada.
#3 Nationally – #1 Shooting Guard – Rivals.
Shabazz Muhammad’s team was watched by several schools including Kentucky.
Bishop Gorman’s Super 60 duo of Shabazz Muhammad and Rosco Allen led the Gaels’ on Friday during day one action of the City of Palms Classic.
Muhammad scored 19 while Allen went for 23 points and 11 rebounds in a 62-48 win over North Port. Kasey Wilson led North Port with 32 points and nine rebounds.
Despite 29 points, 6 assists and 12-13 from the free throw line rom Shabazz Muhammad, Bishop Gorman fell to Riverside Academy (La.) 59-51 on Monday at the City of Palms Classic.
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ESPN :: Muhammad is a super athletic wing that can score inside and out. He rebounds on both ends and is a capable lock down defender. Muhammad can get into a scoring groove and drop big numbers.
[B]- ARCHIE GOODWIN – UK Target[/B]
6-4, 181 lb, Shooting Guard. Sylvan Hills, Sherwood, Arkansas.
#18 Nationally – #3 Shooting Guard – Rivals.
Despite Archie’s game-high 35 points, Searcy downed his Sylvan Hills Bears, 73-68.
ESPN :: No player has taken advantage of the spring and summer evaluation periods to burst onto the national scene than Goodwin; this kid is a player and a winner. His team always seems to be in the final game of the tournament thanks in part to his competitive nature and unselfish play. Goodwin has blown up on the radars of major colleges simply because he played his way there. He is a producer that continues to climb the recruiting ranks.
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My picks of the 2012 Class, Perry Ellis, Shabazz Muhammad, Kyle Anderson and Archie Goodwin. All four can flat out play and should only enhance their current rankings as the season progresses, but at 6-8, Anderson presents a major match problem for any team, if he’s kept at the Point Guard position. It’s a Magic Johnson match up issue all over.
In 2011, Calipari still has DeAndre Daniels and Trevor Lacey on the possible tree. Daniels is the higher ranked of the two and is saying he will commit and enter college for the Spring semester, but wait until next year to actually play. Lacey has been absolutely on fire averaging over 40 points per game for the season.
I would love to sign both and that’s a real possibility, but my pick of the two is Lacey, even though UK needs more inside game, Lacey should shoot up the 2011 Ranking scale before this season is over, and a pure shooter is never a bad commit.
Go Cats!!!
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