We break down the summer recruiting circuit, early highlights, who UK has watched and more.
The summer recruiting period is one of the best parts of the college basketball offseason.
It's when we see the best up-and-coming high school recruits go head-to-head in gyms across America. The good news is most of these events take place in the East, so it's not much of a drive/flight for John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats.
The first weekend is huge for UK and other big-time programs chasing after the latest crop of elite recruits. Nike and Adidas are both holding their national AAU championships in North Augusta (SC), while Under Armour is hosting an All-American camp in Charlotte (NC).
The summer circuit is actually three five-day periods. The first is July 6 - 10, which is going on now. The second is July 13-17, and the last takes place July 20-24.
On said days, college coaches are allowed to evaluate prospects and watch from the sideline. We've already seen Calipari and other UK coaches getting looks at guys like Mohamed Bamba, Kevin Knox, Nick Richards and others. Here's a roundup of the latest news regarding UK's recruiting movement thus far.
Who UK is watching at Peach Jam
As of now, five-star point guard Trae Young and five-star shooting guard Hamidou Diallo are the two recruits UK is watching at these events who have the best shot at ultimately becoming Cats.
We've already seen a nice showing by Diallo, who drilled a game-tying three-point to force overtime in one of his Wednesday games.
Hamidou Diallo at the buzzer to force overtime #PeachJam #Nike @psahoops @renshoops @Diallo1Hamidou #UConn ... https://t.co/qlPr3d56NK
— CUE THE MUSIC (@Cue_the_Music) July 7, 2016
He also had some dance moves to show off after the big win.
: riaffiliated
Too lit @Diallo1Hamidou pic.twitter.com/AbpwU2J9CR
— RI AFFILIATED LLC, (@RIAFFILIATED) July 7, 2016
That ended up being a game in which Diallo scored 23 points for the NY Rens, who went against E1T1 and 2017 five-star wing Kevin Knox, who chipped in 28 points and 13 boards. Both are being heavily recruited by UK, but Knox is more likely to end up at Florida State or Duke.
#HamidouDiallo has court vision #PeachJam #Nike #UConn @psahoops @renshoops #Hami https://t.co/lsbw7tvTuv
— CUE THE MUSIC (@Cue_the_Music) July 6, 2016
Young was no slouch either, registering 26 points seven assists, five boards and four steals with Calipari and Kenny Payne watching.
Trae Young posted 26 points to give @MOKANElite their first win in Peach Jam 2016. #PeachJam pic.twitter.com/6UPJhw7Ovl
— Matt Reynolds (@ReynoldsHoops) July 7, 2016
Two other 2017 targets who UK is in good position with are five-star forward Mohamed Bamba and five-star point guard Quade Green. Calipari watched those two in the opening game of the Peach Jam on Wednesday night, and he was treated to a show by the big man.
Bamba was his beastly self with 21 points, 14 boards and six blocked shots as his PSA team beat Nike South Beach. Green went for 15 points, seven dimes and six steals after getting a UK offer last week during an unofficial visit.
Mo Bamba dominating early for @psa_cardinals! #BringYourGame #PeachJam pic.twitter.com/1TQ4Hvdt3y
— Overtime (@overtime) July 6, 2016
Mo Bamba is at #PeachJam to DOMINATE. @psa_cardinals #BringYourGame pic.twitter.com/dWmjkJaDWs
— Overtime (@overtime) July 6, 2016
Perhaps the biggest showing UK had at a particular game was when Calipari, Payne and Tony Barbee were courtside to watch Expressions Elite take on Team Takeover. EE features five-star center Nick Richards, who you may recall hails from Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s St. Patrick High School.
EE also features five-star point guard Tremont Waters, who UK offered this offseason. In their first game, Richards chipped in 16 points, 17 boards and four blocks. Waters recorded 16 points, seven boards and seven assists. I would put Richards right behind Young and Diallo as the next likeliest get for UK in 2017.
But while all of these recruits are great players, none are quite as good as the consensus No. 1 player in DeAndre Ayton. The five-star center has been one of, if not the best, high school prospect for several years now, even with the likes of Ben Simmons, Harry Giles, De'Aaron Fox, Jayson Tatum, Brandon Ingram and many others gunning for that spot.
He's only 17 years old, but make no doubt about it:
UK target DeAndre Ayton is a MAN. #NikeEYB pic.twitter.com/emTIuf347C
— KSTV (@KSTV_Sports) July 7, 2016
The number 1️⃣ player in the country is on Overtime and dominating #PeachJam @RealDeandreAy #BringYourGame pic.twitter.com/AabYnu0Um5
— Overtime (@overtime) July 7, 2016
Ayton and his Cal Supreme scored a win vs. City Rocks in their first game. That contest saw Ayton register 23 points, 10 boards, four blocks and two dimes. Calipari ended up watching this game, so the interest between the No. 1 player and Kentucky is certainly there.
Finally, five-star big man P.J. Washington and four-star wing John Petty led Team Penny to a win over Phoenix Phamily and Marvin Bagley, the No. 1 player in 2018. Bagley went for 18 points and 11 rebounds in the loss. Washington got 15 points and six boards, while Petty went for nine points and nine rebounds.
John Petty with the ferocious slam @TeamPennyHoops #BringYourGame @jpetty2324 pic.twitter.com/6N4KvB9AWp
— Overtime (@overtime) July 6, 2016
Petty is UK's if they want him, but with so many other talented guards/wings in 2017, it's going to take another month or two of evaluating before that offer 'might' come.
What about Charlotte?
As mentioned above, there's also the Under Armour All-American camp taking place in Charlotte. That's where five-star point guard Paul Scruggs and five-star wing Kris Wilkes are currently. This is also where four-star point guard Devon Dotson and five-star center Naz Reid from the 2018 class are ballin' this week.
That's why Joel Justus, filling in for UK assistant coach John Robic, was in Charlotte Wednesday. We should expect to hear more about him watching the aforementioned recruits in the coming days. That said, Scruggs and Wilkes are lower on UK's board, and while Reid is an elite prospect, UK has over a year left to recruit him.
Who will UK get?
It must be pointed out that at this time last year, there was little interest between Kentucky and Bam Adebayo, De'Aaron Fox and Wenyen Gabriel. Guys like Kobi Simmons and Rawle Alkins looked likelier to end up in blue last July, so don't put too much stock into who UK appears to be favored for or even have recruited the hardest thus far.
That said, here's my stab at which of UK's top prospects will commit to the Cats ranked from most likely to least likely.
1. Trae Young.
2. Hamidou Diallo
3. Nick Richards
4. John Petty
5. Jarred Vanderbilt
6. P.J. Washington
7. Mohamed Bamba
8. Quade Green
9. DeAndre Ayton
10. Kris Wilkes
11. Wendell Carter Jr.
12. Tremont Waters
13. Kevin Knox
14. Gary Trent Jr.
15. Lonnie Walker
16. Paul Scruggs
As you can see, UK is in great shape to secure two five-star guards, a five-star center and two five-star forwards. That will be good enough for at least the No. 2 class next year, but getting someone like Bamba, Carter or Ayton will be what gives UK a chance to battle Duke for the top spot.
Speaking of, it's looking like UK and Duke are the teams to beat for Bamba and Carter. I feel really good about UK's chances with Bamba if Duke lands Carter as expected. There's simply too much frontcourt depth and talent there for Bamba to shine like he would at Kentucky, but thus far, Calipari is still figuring out how he wants to prioritize Ayton, Bamba and Carter Jr.
And Don't Forget...
Be sure to read these articles on various UK recruits in 2017 for more in-depth breakdowns of them:
DeAndre Ayton said UK, Duke were showing little interest; Eligibility concerns?
Ayton says UK now recruiting him; Wants to visit
Trae Young remaining at school in Oklahoma; Still talking Michael Porter Jr. package deal
John Petty hosts UK; Calls it his dream school
Petty and coach are longtime UK fans; Good friends with former Cats
P.J. Washington will visit UK; Hosted Calipari and Payne
New P.J. Washington list still has Kentucky
Gary Trent calls Kentucky NBA U; Tremont Waters says Duke is dream school
Waters gets Kentucky and Duke offers on same day
Quade Green becoming bigger recruiting focus for UK?
Green offered by Kentucky
Mohamed Bamba to visit Kentucky
Trae Young and Gary Trent Jr. update recruitment
Young and Diallo picking Kentucky?