Kentucky head coach John Calipari’s departure for Arkansas muddied the Wildcats’ fast future. They snatched Mark Pope from BYU and haven’t missed a beat, boasting a greater report than Calipari’s Razorbacks. The Wildcats sit at 13-3 with ranked wins over Duke, Gonzaga, Florida and Misssipppi State.

They’ve succeeded regardless of practically all of Calipari’s top-ranked recruits leaping ship to Fayetteville. Pope rebuilt the roster with a high quality bunch of transfers and has received regardless of their lack of big-name expertise. Kentucky depends on their collective power to win video games — six Wildcats common a minimum of 10 factors per recreation (together with Amari Williams’ 9.9).

Traditionally, Kentucky has been an NBA prospect manufacturing facility underneath Calipari. Will Pope’s ‘Cats produce any influence professionals? Let’s consider the deserves of Kentucky’s three most promising professional prospects. 

Koby Brea, Wing, Kentucky

Brea, who transferred from Dayton this offseason, could be the most important title on Kentucky’s roster from a draft perspective. He’s the NCAA’s finest shooter at 6’7, capturing an absurd 48% on 14.3 triples per 100 possessions. This isn’t a single-season fluke both. All through his profession, Brea’s transformed 44.2% on 616 3-point makes an attempt.

Dynamic, tall shooters like Brea have a tendency to search out NBA properties. He’ll dash off of screens to set for his pictures from nicely past the NBA line. Brea is a flamethrower off of the dribble, capturing 52.5% (21-40) this season on his threes off of the bounce. There’s little or no doubt surrounding Brea’s capturing translation to the league.

Past his capturing, Brea’s NBA projection is murkier. His assist-to-turnover ratio (2.8) is a career-high, nevertheless it’s truthful to attribute a few of that to Mark Pope’s system. Brea virtually by no means will get to the road (5.9% free-throw charge) and doesn’t add a lot worth on the defensive finish.

Brea’s lack of ancillary expertise past his ceiling as a 22-year-old will restrict his draft ceiling, however dimension and capturing alone have helped worse gamers attain the NBA. It’s simple to think about a group spending a late first or early second-round decide on Brea for his particular capturing alone.

I’ll shout out Jaxson Robinson right here, one other wing shooter with a powerful faculty profile. He’s not as dynamic as Brea with related points as a defender, however with a bit extra contained in the arc scoring juice. These limitations make him an extended shot NBA prospect, however dimension and capturing alone may earn him a Two-Method deal.

Brandon Garrison, Heart

Regardless of not enjoying as a lot as Kentucky’s different bigs, Garrison boasts a couple of main benefits over them from an NBA perspective. Garrison is a sophomore with phenomenal dimension, size, motion expertise and vertical explosion. These instruments pop most on the defensive finish, the place he’s blocked pictures (4.0% block charge) and guarded the rim.

Pope asks Garrison to maneuver and get better in area, capitalizing on his spectacular mobility for his dimension. There’s a lot to wash up when it comes to approach, choice making and fouling (5.0 fouls dedicated per 40 minutes), however Garrison’s defensive potential is evident.

His passing contact and ability pops extra on Kentucky than it did final season at Oklahoma State given Pope’s movement offense. Garrison processes the ground easily for his age, particularly passing to cutters. It’s potential he develops right into a succesful hub large on the NBA degree.

Garrison isn’t receiving a lot NBA draft buzz this cycle and certain will stay in faculty. If he can sharpen his defensive play, add power and proceed enjoying bodily, Garrison may find yourself as a first-round decide down the road.

Otega Oweh, Guard

Oweh spent his first two seasons at Oklahoma as a hard-nosed, defensively slanted guard with out a lot offensive utility. His defensive contributions transferred over to Kentucky as anticipated. Oweh sticks to defenders like glue, sliding round screens and mirroring along with his quickness and powerful base. He’s producing turnovers as all the time, posting a powerful 3.3% steal charge.

His offensive enhancements this season have moved Oweh nearer to NBA Draft radars. He’s posting profession highs in true capturing (59%), 3-point quantity (5.2 per 100 possessions) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.6). Oweh flashed some primary motion capturing, which might be vastly useful for his projection as an off-ball guard possibility on the subsequent degree.

To stay within the NBA, Oweh should shoot persistently from deep and show his passing enhancements lengthen past Pope’s system. If Oweh can grow to be a dependable shooter, there’s a path for him to make the league as a 3-D utility guard.



RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here