SEC: Who Else Will Join The Kentucky Wildcats 2015 Class?

Take a guess who has the No. 1 recruiting class in college basketball?

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Didn’t need to right?

It’s not a surprise that the Kentucky Wildcats have the No. 1 class in the country; they’ve done more than enough to warrant that. Last season Kentucky finished the year with only one blemish, going 38-1. They also made their second straight appearance to the Final Four and four appearances since 2011.

To make life sweeter, Kentucky also makes it a yearly routine to send the NBA the creme de la creme of talent.

Just look at most people’s favorite stars playing in the NBA Playoffs: John Wall, Anthony Davis, Patrick Patterson, Terrence Jones and yes, Rajon Rondo, as well.

Playing for the Big Blue Nation is a one of a kind collegiate experience. Mix that all in with a gregarious coach in John Calipari who’s still in the prime of his coaching career it’s difficult to believe that their success is a reality. It might be tough to say but there’s no more wow, shock and awe factor when it comes to the Kentucky Wildcats offseason success.

Call them spoiled.

Call them pampered …

… but you can’t call them unsuccessful.

It’s with that reason alone the Kentucky Wildcats biggest wow factor entering recruiting this year is that they haven’t managed to land six more five-star recruits in addition to the two ones they already have.

Apr 3, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari waves to the crowd after practice for the 2015 NCAA Men’s Division I Championship semi-final game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Why Not Practice With the Best?

One of those recrutis is Skal Labissiere and he’s the next best Haitian player in college basketball.

Labissiere opted to go to a school that once featured another heralded Haitian star back in 2011, Nerlens Noel of the Philadelphia 76ers. Labissiere is a 7-footer with a sweet jump shot and an outstanding, developing post game. He automatically makes Kentucky one of the must-see programs.

In addition to Labissiere, Kentucky also has the a point guard who’s game is comparable to the Utah Jazz version of Deron Williams in point guard Isaiah Briscoe.

Hailing from Union, N.J., Briscoe has improved every year during his high school basketball career before finishing school at Roselle Catholic High School. Briscoe’s career in high school was fantastic and he proved that he was a winner.

Briscoe’s finished his career with two straight Prep A titles that he won at St. Benedict’s Prep, the 2014 Non-Public B title with Roselle Catholic and he also won a gold medal with the USA National Team at the 2014 FIBA Americas U18 Championship.

Mar 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonalds All American participant Isaiah Briscoe (12) dribbles through obstacles during the McDonalds All American Powerade Jamfest at the University of Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Even with having two of the top 15 recruits in the country, Kentucky is only beginning.

There are a number of other players, including Cheick Diallo, Jaylen Brown, Thon Maker and Brandon Ingram that all could find themselves playing for a team that would be the preseason No. 1 favorite.

It’ll be Calipari’s job to sell to these wonderful prep players on a the thought of having the No. 1 recruiting class and getting the opportunity to pull off the illustrious undefeated season. If there was one person in college basketball that could do achieve the goal, it would be Calipari. His track record at Kentucky speaks for itself.

Pairing a bunch of talented players on a roster that all have aspirations of playing in the NBA while managing to win a bunch of games in college basketball sounds like the perfect place for any recruit.

Kentucky’s already got some of the best proven history in the country when it comes to developing talent. For any player in high school that wants to take their game to the next level, it’s the destination to go to.

Leasing Time or Learning Time?

Playing for the Kentucky Wildcats is a huge sacrifice for any player.

When John Calipari recruits players he often informs them about what they’re going to get into.

Dealing with the pressure on a nightly basis and being able to focus and play well isn’t an option, it’s a standard.

But that’s the price that an athlete pays when they come to Kentucky because they will travel and play the best competition in college basketball in a number of high-profile tournaments and games. But what collegiate athlete wouldn’t want that opportunity?

To cap it off even though Kentucky’s one of the better basketball schools in the country, they’re students also maintain their grades. Yes, they’re good at that too.

Kentucky might as well be called the NBA’s minor league system because in one year Calipari’s system helps athletes adjust to learn about the rigors of the NBA. Under the leadership of Calipari, he’s created a successful culture of the best basketball talent coming together to play against each other year after year.

Call it an Oak Hill Academy on steroids.

Like Oak Hill, Kentucky has a rich and prideful tradition but more importantly NBA success.

It’s that overall success of the team last year that got seven players from their roster in a position to get drafted in the 2015 NBA Draft. That’s also counting two reserve players in Dakari Johnson and Devin Booker that are projected to get drafted in the first round.

We haven’t even mentioned how Karl-Anthony Towns, Willie Cauley-Stein and Trey Lyles are all likely lottery picks.

Mar 28, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kentucky Wildcats team members hold up the trophy after the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the finals of the midwest regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Quicken Loans Arena. Kentucky won 68-66. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

This atmosphere that has been created with their program shows proven results. Not only do the kids of their program get to win and reach the pinnacle of college basketball (the Final Four), they also get to become NBA players in the process.

Most of Calipari’s players have went onto do well during their professional basketball career and it’s because he prepares them for what they need to expect.

Call it a one year crash course, but Kentucky has shown that their system works.

A few wise words to all the recruits that are thinking about going to Kentucky. At least heavily consider the option. Think can they do more for me than I can myself?

That’s a question that John Wall, Anthony Davis, Nerlens Noel, Julius Randle and Karl-Anthony Towns all had to answer before leaving to the NBA after their freshman season.

Next: SEC: Five Players Who Will Play Better In The NBA

SEC: Who Else Will Join The Kentucky Wildcats 2015 Recruiting Class?

By DJoumbarey A. Moreau | Apr 23, 2015

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