Chris Johnson of SI.com looks at the top recruits in the country and breaks down their impact on the upcoming season.
Jamal Murray, who blew up in the Pan American Games, was a late addition to the list and is ready to make a lot of noise in the SEC in the nation.
Tyler Ulis returns from last season’s Final Four team, and incoming freshman Isaiah Briscoe is considered one of the top point guards in the country. Ulis is a skilled facilitator, while Briscoe excels at getting to the rim off the dribble. Murray may be a better scorer than both. “You’re talking about a 6’5” playmaker that can score and can guard multiple positions,” Calipari said of Murray. “He can make an impact from anywhere on the floor.” Whether or not playing Murray, Ulis and Briscoe together for long stretches is feasible, Kentucky will have an abundance of scoring and playmaking at both guard positions. That’s a good starting point when you’re trying to replace seven players who left for the NBA.
Everyone knows about big Skal Labissiere, the future #1 pick of the NBA Draft, will stabilize the front court for the Wildcats and be a possible Player of the Year in the NCAA.
He’s the lynchpin of another recruiting class that finished ranked No. 3 in Rivals.com’s team rankings, as well as the most talented player joining a Kentucky team that lost seven players to the NBA this off-season. Expect Labissiere to start alongside junior forward Marcus Lee, another projected draft pick in 2016, with 6’8’’ wing Alex Poythress also returning after tearing his ACL last season.
You can read about the rest of the top 5 recruits by clicking here.
The international pair of freshman stars will be a big part of Kentucky’s chances to make another run to the Final Four.
