Paul Biancardi, ESPN basketball national director of recruiting, has seen Kentucky coach John Calipari land twins Aaron and Andrew Harrison of Texas and James Young of Michigan in the last two weeks when the players made their commitments live on ESPNU.
That could have Kentucky already on the verge of a fifth straight No. 1 recruiting class with the Harrisons, Young and Bullitt East’s Derek Willis.
“As far as ratings go if they land one or two more top recruits, yes it could be his highest rated class. Don't forget the 2011 class with Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marquis Teague as they were three top ten players and Kyle Wiltjer, who was a top 25 player. They became the best and the highest rated class ever by John Calipari,” said Biancardi.
“Remember ratings are hype based on potential. We at ESPN take time to write detailing evaluations which are far more important. We find out more about recruiting class after they have played in college.”
The Harrison twins, Willis and Young were at Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena Friday along with 6-9 senior forward Marcus Lee of California and juniors Cliff Alexander of Chicago and JaQuan Lyle of Evansville, two top 2014 prospects.
Kentucky also had New Jersey forward Karl Towns, one of the nation’s best sophomores, at Madness. He played on the Dominican Republic national team that Calipari coached last summer. Towns is the only player in the 2015 recruiting class with an offer from Kentuky.
Andrew Wiggins, the nation’s top-ranked junior who is contemplating reclassifying to the 2013 recruiting class, went home to Canada because Huntington (W.Va.) Prep is on fall break.
Biancardi said Young has numerous skills that make him such a high-profile recruit.
“His ability to score and shoot the basketball is what I¿like best,” Biancardi said. “When you study his game you see he is very comfortable making 3's both off the catch and off the dribble. When he is not making shots he is slashing his way to the time. Does a great job at creating fouls with his dribble penetration into the lane.”
He should also fit nicely into Calipari’s system.
“His scoring skills will be used in many ways. Coach Calipari does an excellent job every year shaping his offense to his talent,” Biancardi said. “With James Young you will see more ball screens and dribble handoffs to utilize his shooting ability. Young will have to learn how to defend Kentucky style, which mean intense heat and pressure. He will be fantastic if the pace of the game gets faster as Kentucky scores very well from their defense.”
That could have Kentucky already on the verge of a fifth straight No. 1 recruiting class with the Harrisons, Young and Bullitt East’s Derek Willis.
“As far as ratings go if they land one or two more top recruits, yes it could be his highest rated class. Don't forget the 2011 class with Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Marquis Teague as they were three top ten players and Kyle Wiltjer, who was a top 25 player. They became the best and the highest rated class ever by John Calipari,” said Biancardi.
“Remember ratings are hype based on potential. We at ESPN take time to write detailing evaluations which are far more important. We find out more about recruiting class after they have played in college.”
The Harrison twins, Willis and Young were at Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena Friday along with 6-9 senior forward Marcus Lee of California and juniors Cliff Alexander of Chicago and JaQuan Lyle of Evansville, two top 2014 prospects.
Kentucky also had New Jersey forward Karl Towns, one of the nation’s best sophomores, at Madness. He played on the Dominican Republic national team that Calipari coached last summer. Towns is the only player in the 2015 recruiting class with an offer from Kentuky.
Andrew Wiggins, the nation’s top-ranked junior who is contemplating reclassifying to the 2013 recruiting class, went home to Canada because Huntington (W.Va.) Prep is on fall break.
Biancardi said Young has numerous skills that make him such a high-profile recruit.
“His ability to score and shoot the basketball is what I¿like best,” Biancardi said. “When you study his game you see he is very comfortable making 3's both off the catch and off the dribble. When he is not making shots he is slashing his way to the time. Does a great job at creating fouls with his dribble penetration into the lane.”
He should also fit nicely into Calipari’s system.
“His scoring skills will be used in many ways. Coach Calipari does an excellent job every year shaping his offense to his talent,” Biancardi said. “With James Young you will see more ball screens and dribble handoffs to utilize his shooting ability. Young will have to learn how to defend Kentucky style, which mean intense heat and pressure. He will be fantastic if the pace of the game gets faster as Kentucky scores very well from their defense.”
