[URL=”http://www.nationofblue.com/future-kentucky-basketball-2012-2312/”]Part one[/URL] | [URL=”http://www.nationofblue.com/part-2-future-kentucky-basketball-2012-2395/”]Part two[/URL]
December 21, 2012 is the final date on the Mayan calendar and the date the world is projected to come to a violent end.
For opposing Coach’s, that may be the only thing that will keep Kentucky, and their Head Coach John Calipari, from grabbing another top notch Class.
Let’s see, No. 1 in 2009 with Wall, Cousins, Bledsoe, Orton, Dodson and Hood, No. 1 in 2010 with Kanter, Jones, Vargas, Poole, Knight, Lamb and Polson then No. 1 (Not official, yet) in 2011 with Gilchrist, Teague and the latest, Anthony Davis.
Does anyone expect anything different for 2012.
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In year one, John Calipari accomplished his initial goal, make Kentucky basketball relevant again. Signing Number 1 classes never hurts, but his unusual ability to get a group of top-notch players to play together was an accomplishment within itself.
Some fans feel he was the wrong hire, too much baggage, where there’s smoke there’s fire, a liability versus an asset. No matter your opinion, you have to admit he’s done an outstanding job in every facet of his responsibility.
For me, Calipari is the perfect man for the Head Coaching job at Kentucky. He knows how to handle his team, keeping problems within the team and out of the media. A guru at knowing how and when to discuss topics publicly, he’s willing to recruit “troubled’ players, is great with the rabid fans base and knows how to handle the pressure that comes with the position.
Only time will tell the truth about John Calipari. Goal one accomplished! Goal two, hang banner number 8 in the rafters of Rupp.
Over the last two articles, we’ve taken a look at those from the Class of 2012 that may help Calipari accomplish exactly wh he came to Kentucky to accomplish, win titles.
We’ve focused on the top four Players who have gained interest from the Big Blue, DaJuan Coleman, Shabazz Muhammad, Brandon Ashley and Khem Birch.
In our final update, we will focus our attention on the Number 21, 23 and 24 players in the class, D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, L. J. Rose and Alex Poythress.
[URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/basketballrecruiting/basketball/recruiting/player-D%27Vauntes-Smith-Rivera-91036″]D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera[/URL] | [COLOR=#000000]Smith-Rivera is 6-4, 220lb Point Guard out of [/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]North Central High in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is ranked as the No. 21 overall player. [/COLOR]
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[I][URL=”http://espn.com”]ESPN [/URL]| [/I][/COLOR][I]Smith-Rivera is a power combo guard. He’s too big and too strong for most kids in his age group. He just drags his opponent wherever he wants on the court and scores over them.
He is a scorer more than a shooter, though he does have solid range to 20 feet. He is a solid defender and a good distributor of the basketball. He is strong and finishes through contact. A terrific rebounder on both ends and good on ball defender. He is skilled and has a very high basketball IQ.
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[URL=”http://scout.com”]SCOUT[/URL] | [/COLOR]The MVP of the Tournament of Champions select division. He’s improved his body and is now a strong combo guard. Yes, he can score but we didn’t quite understand how smart and strong his game is. From contested drives to taking advantage of matchups by posting up, DSR finds ways to utilize his strength. [/I]
[FONT=Tahoma]Smith-Rivera in action on [URL=”http://www.nationofblue.com/2012-kentucky-recruit-d-vauntes-smith-rivera-2301/”][B]Nation of Blue TV[/B][/URL].[/FONT]
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[COLOR=#000000][URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/basketballrecruiting/basketball/recruiting/player-L.J.-Rose-96182″]L. J. Rose[/URL] | [/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]Rose is a 6-3, 175lb Point Guard out of Houston’s, Second Baptist. [/COLOR]he is ranked 23 best overall and No. 4 at the PG position.[COLOR=#000000]Rose was a member of the 2009-10 USA Basketball Developmental National Team.[/COLOR]
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[URL=”http://espn.com”]ESPN [/URL]| Rose is a young lead guard with a very good basketball IQ and feel for the game. He is an excellent ball handler and passer, plays with his head and eyes up and can get a teammate an open shot with his ability to draw and kick. He has good size and can pass over smaller defenders to deliver the ball and can see over double teams.
Rose pushes the ball in transition and can set the offense in the half court. He scores with high arcing floaters in the lane, mid range pull ups and can knock down the open three. [/I]
[I][URL=”http://scout.com”]SCOUT[/URL] | A solid ball handler who has outstanding floor vision thanks to his size and heads up style of play, Rose also shoots the ball extremely well. He navigates the pick and roll with the expertise of a college senior and credits his success to hard work. [/I]
Considered an elite guard in the class of 2012, Rose is the second member of the 2012 Class to currently hold a scholarship offer from Kentucky and Coach Calipari.
[FONT=Tahoma]Rose in action on [URL=”http://www.nationofblue.com/usa-basketball-dnt-lj-rose-2091/”][B]Nation of Blue TV[/B][/URL].[/FONT]
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[COLOR=#000000][URL=”http://rivals.yahoo.com/basketballrecruiting/basketball/recruiting/player-Alex-Poythress-99151″]Alex Poythress[/URL] | [/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]Poythress is the 24th overall player and is out of Northeast High in Clarksville, Tennessee. At 6-7, 205lb’s, he ranks 5th among Small Forwards. He’s a thoroughbred that has the look of a high major player and carries himself with a mature demeanor.
[I][URL=”http://espn.com”]ESPN [/URL]| [/I][/COLOR][I]Poythress has great hands and is an outstanding rebounder on both ends of the floor; he is a two handed rebounder that gets to balls outside of his area. He showed the ability to step out and knock down the 3-ball, but is most effective when he is attacking the basket.
He can finish through contact when challenged at the rim. As his perimeter skill level develops he should transition into a high level wing player that is a difficult match-up as he can score inside and out. He handles and passes it well, and he knows how to take it to another level with his intensity and energy.
[URL=”http://scout.com”]SCOUT[/URL] | Poythress moves well, is a quality athlete and has a good-looking frame.
Although he’s listed as a power-forward prospect by Scout, Poythress says “I can play both small and power forward. I probably play the 3 better because I can rebound better when I get a running start.” [/I]
The Class of 2012 seems so far away, reality is, they’ll start to verbally commit shortly after the 2010-11 season is completed.
The Cats are, once again, in great shape to produce another top level class. Those on the Kentucky Big Board will obviously change as we draw nearer to the heavy recruiting period. You never know who will emerge from nowhere to become a major Player. Anthony Davis proved that with his unbelievable rise over the last few months.
With John Calipari, Kentucky can expect to be right in the thick of things when it comes decision day keeping UK’s future looking bright.
Go Cats!!!
