As I alluded too in an earlier post, Kentucky coach John Calipari wasn't finished putting the final touches on this years premiere recruiting class. For the third straight season Kentucky has had the number one overall recruiting class under coach John Calipari. The incoming class is the most highly touted out of all three. After the first mega haul that brought John Wall, Eric Bledsoe, DeMarcus Cousins, and Daniel Orton, Calipari followed that up by bringing in class of 2010 superstars Brandon Knight, Enes Kanter, Terrence Jones, and Doron Lamb. The 2011 class is no different as Kentucky lands the top rated forwards and point guard in the class in number one overall prospect and power forward Anthony Davis Jr. (6'10' PF Chicago Perspectives Charter), number three overall Michael Gilchrist (6'7'' SF St. Patricks, New Jersey), and top rated point guard and top five prospect Marquis Teague (6'3'' PG Indianapolis, Pike HS, Indiana). Five star recruit and top twenty skilled big man Kyle Wiltjer (6'9'' PF Portland, Jesuit High, Oregon) also joins the trio giving Kentucky 4 McDonalds/Jordan Brand All Americans. All four prospects also participated in the 20 man Nike Hoop Summmit which pits an American prep all star team against a team of international all-stars.
With a class that good, it is hard to do much better. But, then NC State transfer Ryan Harrow decided to give his commitment to the University of Kentucky. Harrow, a 6'1'' skilled point guard from Marietta Georgia, started the majority of NC States games down the stretch as a freshman last season. His final season tallies were 9.3 pts a game, to go along with 3.3 assists and the ACC's seventh lowest assist to turnover ratio. He had scoring games of 20 and 18 last season to go along with a ten assist game. Out of high school (Walton, GA) Harrow was a five star prospect. Ranked 25th overall nationally according to Scout, 19th nationally according to Rivals. He was widely considered the best PG prospect after one and dones in Dukes Kyrie Irving, Kansas' Josh Selby and Kentucky's own Brandon Knight. Memphis freshman star PG Joe Jackson was the only other point guard rated higher in a very top heavy point guard class. Harrow chose the Wildcats over Louisville, Texas, Georgia, and St. Johns.
Harrow brings to the table a very crafty game and the ability to take care of the ball. He is a very aggressive scorer, and albeit undersized is a very hard competitor. The biggest thing Harrow brings is a need, and that need is for a replacement point guard for next season. Due to NCAA transfer rules Harrow will have to sit out the 2011-2012 season. Harrow decided to leave once NC State dismissed coach Sidney Lowe. Although not available until next season Harrow is still going to play a major role this season as he will automatically be allowed to practice with the team giving frosh star Marquis Teague a formidable opponent to go against on a daily basis. Furthermore, Harrow is going to fill the need at point after the departure of Marquis Teague who is widely considered to be a one and done prospect. If history is any indication there should be nothing to stop Teague from joining the long lineage of Calipari point guards that go on to be top five NBA picks. Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, John Wall, and now Brandon Knight have all flourished under Calipari's tutelage and most look for Teague to do the same and join the other's as one and done prospects. Since the 2012 class is looking extremely thin at point guard, Raleigh sensation Rondey Purvis may be the only high level elite option at this point. Purvis, once a Louisville commit is the only point guard to emerge who show's the ability to be able to step in and make a major impact as a freshman. If Calipari was to miss out on Purvis, then succeeding Teague with another stud freshman point may be out of question. However, now that Harrow is in the stable Calipari will have a full season of coaching to prepare him to be able to step in and run the team. At the end of the day a transfer in Harrow may quite possibly be the best point guard option available in the class of 2012. Although having to sit out next season, Harrow will have three years of eligibility remaining at the University of Kentucky.
Here's your newest Kentucky Wildcat doing work......
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