UK Players are always making an impact, and this past week they were put on the “IMPACT LIST” from SI.com.
Here’s the rundown.
- On Monday, Skal Labissiere and Jamal Murray were named to the Sports Illustrated, Top 10 Impact Freshman list.
- On Wednesday, SI released their Top 10 Impact Sophomores where Tyler Ulis made the list.
- On Wednesday, SI released their Top 10 Impact Juniors where Marcus Lee made the list.
2. Skal Labissiere, center, Kentucky
Kentucky’s frontcourt won’t intimidate opponents defensively the way it did last season, but that’s only because last year’s Wildcats boasted an embarrassment of riches in the post, including departed seven-footers Willie Cauley-Stein and Dakari Johnson. Although as recently as a month ago it seemed that Labissiere would be shouldering a huge load in the paint, the addition of Australian forward Isaac Humphries should ease his transition. A true 7-footer, Labissiere is known as a rim-protector and has a surprisingly good jump shot. He could progress along the same trajectory as Karl-Anthony Towns did a season ago in the same uniform. By the end of the season, Labissiere should be a dominant force on a team that will be eyeing its fifth Final Four in six seasons.
6. Jamal Murray, guard, Kentucky
Murray’s stock is soaring after an impressive past few months. In April, he led all scorers with 30 points (on 12-of-23 shooting) at the Nike Hoop Summit. In June, he decided to reclassify from 2016 to ’15, and by the end of the month he had committed to Kentucky. In July he took the court as the second-youngest player at the Pan American games and led Canada to a silver medal. Kentucky will be deep again this year, and how Wildcats coach John Calipari sorts out playing time between sophomore point guard Tyler Ulis, incoming freshman point guard Isaiah Briscoe and Murray will be interesting to watch. Murray and Briscoe are both excellent shot creators, so Calipari may employ some small-ball lineups if the offense needs energy. After the summer he’s had, it seems a safe bet that he’s in store for a big winter.
10. Marcus Lee, forward/center, Kentucky
Yes, Kentucky has upperclassmen. Lee, a former McDonald’s All-American, has averaged just 2.5 point and 2.2 rebounds while playing 9.1 minutes per game his first two seasons because he was buried behind Lottery talent. This year, however, he should finally receive playing time worthy of his hype. He has shown shot-blocking skills (2.8 per 40 minutes) and great athleticism in limited minutes and, just as important, he was able to develop by practicing against the likes of since-drafted big men Julius Randle, Karl-Anthony Towns, Trey Lyles, Willie Cauley-Stein and Dakari Johnson. In 2015-16 Lee will join wing Alex Poythress and touted 6’11” freshman Skal Labissiere in yet another terrifying John Calipari frontcourt, and he will benefit from the increased playing time and from the lobs point guard Tyler Ulis will throw in his direction all season. Lee could seize the opportunity and run with it, perhaps all the way into the first round of next year’s draft.
4. Tyler Ulis, guard, Kentucky
Kentucky’s perimeter rotation will be crowded in 2015-16 even though three of its top guards—Andrew and Aaron Harrison and Devin Booker—left for the draft. The Wildcats welcome in Isaiah Briscoe and Jamal Murray, two point guard recruits assigned five-star ratings by Rivals.com. Where does that leave Ulis? Kentucky won’t ask the 5’9”, 155-pound sophomore to serve as one of its primary scorers, but he’s invaluable because no one else on the roster can match his distribution skills. Last season he led the Wildcats with a 27.2 assist rate while posting the second-highest offensive rating on the team—behind only top draft pickKarl-Anthony Towns. It’ll be interesting to see how John Calipari sorts out backcourt minutes between Ulis, Briscoe and Murray. All three could play together, with Ulis facilitating while Briscoe and/or Murray focus on scoring. In any case, the Wildcats are in good shape with Ulis running the offense.
