We have all become accustomed to looking at a Kentucky Wildcats roster full of new faces, which is no different this year. Only one of their notable players from last season returns. Additionally, with only one key transfer coming in, this is a team that really lacks experience. But luckily for fans of Big Blue Nation, the talent level of their number-one-ranked recruiting class is off the charts.
You can see the previous teams in my rankings here.
Preseason College Basketball Rankings: #20 Kentucky Wildcats
Antonio Reeves is the lone significant returner for Kentucky. After transferring in from Illinois State, he was the team’s leading scorer last year with 14.4 points per game and was also the team’s best shooter. The super senior will be counted on big-time as he will have to be the leader of this team as he is their most experienced player. Ugonna Onyenso played sparingly as a true freshman, but he was a top-40 recruit coming out of high school.
Getting West Virginia transfer Tre Mitchell was huge for this team. The super senior, who previously also spent time at UMass and then Texas, is not only a strong presence at the center position but also provides this team with some much-needed experience.
This incredibly talented recruiting class features 10 players, including three of the top six recruits, according to 247 Sports. First up is Justin Edwards, the third overall recruit in the class. The Philadelphia native is a versatile multi-level scorer and high-volume rebounder. He is arguably the best scoring and best rebounding wing in this class. At six-foot-eight, he has great size for the small forward position and can even play small ball four.
Aaron Bradshaw is the number five overall recruit. The seven-footer can stretch the floor vertically and is one of the best rim protectors in the country. He will need to bulk up in order to be able to hold his own against others at his position. But he has more than enough talent.
Predictions about where DJ Wagner would go were a toss-up between Kentucky and Louisville. After all, his grandfather, Milt Wagner, played there and is currently on their staff (his dad, Dajuan Wagner, also played at Memphis and was the sixth overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft). But in the end, he chose Big Blue Nation. He can do it all for you at the point guard spot. He is a highly versatile scorer and elite competitor who always makes his teammates around him better.
Rob Dillingham is another highly-rated recruit, and Reed Sheppard is in the top 80.
Projected Lineup
C – Aaron Bradshaw (#5 overall ranked recruit on 247 Sports)
PF – Tre Mitchell (11.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.6 BPG at West Virginia)
SF – Justin Edwards (#3 overall ranked recruit on 247 Sports)
SG – Antonio Reeves (14.4 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.2 BPG)
PG – DJ Wagner (#6 overall ranked recruit on 247 Sports)
