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While most programs have already begun focusing on the class of 2020 with the first spring AAU evaluation period set for this weekend, John Calipari must keep one eye pointed toward the 2019 class as he steps up his pursuit of younger prospects.
Even after the NBA draft’s early entry deadline passed Sunday, Calipari faces several more weeks of uncertainty about which of his current players will be back next season. As Ashton Hagans and Reid Travis proved a year ago by waiting to join the roster until June, there is still time for outside additions to the 2019-20 roster as well.
What holes does Calipari still need to fill for next season? Here’s a look at where things stand for Kentucky and the options to address those concerns.
More Sports:Kentucky basketball's roster will look a lot different in 2019-20
Following the transfer of redshirt freshman guard Jemarl Baker, backcourt depth and 3-point shooting could be concerns for Kentucky next season.
Returning point guards Ashton Hagans and Immanuel Quickley will be joined on the roster by five-star McDonald’s All-American guard Tyrese Maxey. Five-star forwards Keion Brooks and Kahlil Whitney play on the wing – as will Mr. Kentucky Basketball Dontaie Allen when he returns from a knee injury – but for now walk-on Brad Calipari would be the team’s fourth-best true guard.
Kentucky has offered multiple guards in the class of 2020 who have been rumored to be considering a reclassification to 2019. Texas native R.J. Hampton, currently ranked as the No. 5 recruit in the 2020 class by the 247Sports Composite, might be the best player in that group, but Memphis and Kansas have received the most buzz in his recruitment since Hagans announced his return to Kentucky and point guard Tre Jones did the same at fellow finalist Duke.
Last week, Kentucky offered class of 2020 wing Johnny Juzang, a five-star California native who shot 41.8 percent (33-for-79) from 3-point range in 14 games on the Adidas AAU circuit in 2018. He has been mentioned as a reclassification candidate as well and received a visit from John Calipari and assistant Joel Justus shortly after Baker announced his transfer. While Brooks, Whitney and Allen are considered three-four hybrid forwards, Juzang is more of a two-three hybrid.
Kentucky has yet to be connected with any graduate transfer guards, but there are several interesting options on the market, including former Knott County Central star Camron Justice, who averaged 18.6 points per game at IUPUI last season. It might be difficult for Calipari to find the right fit with a graduate transfer guard since most are likely looking for featured roles at their new schools, and Kentucky’s starting backcourt appears set with Hagans and Maxey.
More than 12 hours after the NBA draft's early entry deadline passed, UK announced Monday that sophomore forward Nick Richards had placed his name in the draft but was leaving open the possibility of returning to Kentucky. Now only one post player is locked in for the 2019-20 roster: Bucknell graduate transfer Nate Sestina, who signed scholarship papers last week. Freshman forward E.J. Montgomery could also return but is testing the draft waters.
Even if Richards and Montgomery both return, Kentucky would be down a big man from the four-man rotation used for most of last season. Should one or both stay in the draft, the need for additional frontcourt reinforcements would be clear, but Calipari could also elect to use a smaller lineup with Whitney or Brooks at the four.
It should come as no surprise then that the Wildcats were one of several teams linked to Virginia Tech graduate transfer Kerry Blackshear when he became available, but as arguably the best transfer on the market he will receive no shortage of suitors and it remains unclear how much actual contact there has been between UK and his camp. The 6-foot-10, 250-pound forward averaged 14.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game last season and totaled 18 points and 16 rebounds in an NCAA Tournament loss to Duke. Buzz Williams, Blackhsear’s former Virginia Tech coach, could entice the Orlando native to follow him to Texas A&M.
Also:Kentucky basketball's Jemarl Baker announces plans to transfer
As expected, Kentucky lost five-star forward Matthew Hurt to Duke Friday, leaving five-star Seattle native Jaden McDaniels as the only remaining uncommitted Kentucky target in the class of 2019. Listed at 6-foot-11 on the McDonald's All-American game roster, McDaniels would add size to Kentucky’s roster, but he is not considered a traditional post player, instead preferring to play on the perimeter. The Seattle native has kept his recruitment a mystery, but most pundits have projected he will ultimately land at one of his West Coast finalists instead of Kentucky.
Finding a 2020 recruit interested in reclassifying to 2019 is also an option for Kentucky in the frontcourt. Five-star forward Isaiah Todd recently ruled out such a move, but five-star forward Nfaly Dante, one of the first class of 2020 players to receive a UK offer, is still rumored to be considering reclassifying. Recruiting analyst Andrew Slater reported Sunday the 6-foot-11 Dante could enroll in college in 2019 or 2020.
The father of Nevada transfer Jordan Brown recently told 247Sports Kentucky was among the teams that had expressed interest, but after just one year at Nevada the former five-star forward would have to sit out the 2019-20 season as a traditional transfer unless he received a waiver from the NCAA.
Jon Hale:jahale@courier-journal.com; Twitter:@JonHale_CJ. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today:www.courier-journal.com/jonh.
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