Look back/ahead to the Top 100 College Basketball recruits in the SEC

[jbcarol]

SEC Commits on ESPN 2017 Top 100

17. Austin Wiley  6-10, 235   5-star  AU  Hoover Spain Park

34. Nick Weatherspoon  6-2  4-star  MS  Velma Jackson Magnet

48. Dan Gafford  6-10, 220   4-star  UA  El Dorado

55. Khalil Garland  6-6         4-star  UA  Parkview

61. Davion Mitchell 6-1, PG   4-star  AU  Liberty County (GA)

65. DeAundre Ballard 6-4     4-star  UF  Southwest Atlanta Christian

68. Chuma Okeke  6-8, 220  4-star  AU  Fairburn Westlake

71. Galen Alexander  6-6      4-star  LS  Breaux Bridge

73. Savion Flagg       6-7      4-star  A&M  Alvin

NR. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander  4-star  UF  Hamilton Heights Christian

NR. Saban Lee  6-1, PG        4-star  VU  Tempe Corona Del Sol

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/787056012918489093

Five-Star centers Mohamed Bamba and Nick Richards, small forward Kevin Knox, five-star point guards, Trae Young and Quade Green, and five-star power forward P.J. Washington. Class of 2018 stars Romeo Langford, Immanuel Quickley and Cameron Reddish are all expected as well. As the Herald-Leader points out, this is the first Big Blue Madness in coach John Calipari's career where Kentucky doesn't have an early commit going into the event.

**Kimani Lawrence, a 6-7 small forward from New Hampton (VA) School, takes his third official visit to Florida this weekend (Oct. 14). Lawrence has taken officials to Arizona State (Sept. 23), USC (Sept. 30), and Pittsburgh (Oct. 7). Texas is the only other school included in his top five.

**Florida also hosts 6-8 power forward Isaiah Stokes of IMG Academy (FL), who is also considering Tennessee, Iowa State, North Carolina, TCU and Memphis.

**Aaron Wheeler, the 6-7 small forward from Punky Brewster (N.H.) Academy, takes his first official visit to Purdue this weekend.

**Anthony Mack, the 6-6 wing from Blair (N.J.) Academy, visits Missouri officially this weekend before heading to Georgia on Wednesday.

**Zach Kent, the 6-10 center from Blair (N.J.) Academy, takes an official to Tennessee this weekend before going to Northwestern next weekend. Tennessee will also host Darius Garland, DJ Burns and JoJo Toppin on unofficials.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/MicklesAdvocate/status/788435299575533568

LSU guard Antonio Blakeney was named Tuesday to the 20-player preseason watch list for the 2017 Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year award.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced the watch list for the third annual award that to be handed out at the conclusion of the 2016-17 season to the top shooting guard in Division I basketball.

Blakeney, who averaged 12.6 points per game in his first season with the Tigers, is one of three SEC players on the Jerry West list along with Arkansas' Dusty Hannahs and Kentucky's Malik Monk.

[jbcarol]

Tennessee's Robert Hubbs was the No. 1-ranked player in the Volunteer State in 2013.

The nation's No. 4 shooting guard, also ranked as the 20th-best player in the nation coming out of Dyer County...

On Wednesday, Hubbs sat in Bridgestone Arena and predicted he would be in the NBA, when asked what he would be doing a year from now.

"That's my dream and my goal," said Hubbs, who failed to earn any preseason All-SEC honors on a Vols team picked to finish 13th out of 14 teams.

"What has to happen is, I have to lead this team deep into March," he said. "If my team is still playing in March, and I'm doing what I need to be doing and my numbers are good, I've got a chance."

But if Hubbs doesn't play with more heart and effort than he has shown in previous seasons, he might not even be starting, according to his coach.

"I even told Robert this week, his position is up for grabs, too," coach Rick Barnes said while making a point about the uncertainty of the Vols' lineup.

[jbcarol]

Notable SEC freshmen not Kentucky (brief scouting report via link)

Mustapha Heron, Auburn point guard
Nation's No. 23 overall player • 6-foot-5, 215 lbs. •

Schnider Herard, Mississippi State center
Nation's No. 47 overall player • 6-foot-10, 250 lbs. •

Braxton Key, Alabama small forward
Nation's No. 57 overall player • 6-foot-8, 220 lbs. •

Robert Williams, Texas A&M small forward
Nation's No. 61 overall player • 6-foot-9, 237 lbs. •


    Mario Kegler, Mississippi State small forward (ranked No. 52)
    Tyree Crump, Georgia point guard (ranked No. 75)
    Eli Wright, Mississippi State shooting guard (ranked No. 80)
    Jared Harper, Auburn point guard (ranked No. 92)
    Lamar Peters, Mississippi State point guard (ranked No. 96)
    Tyson Carter, Mississippi State shooting guard (ranked No. 97)

[jbcarol]

SEC is shut out of Julius Erving Award Watch List

SPRINGFIELD, MASS. – The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the 20 watch list members for the 2017 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award. Named after Hall of Famer and 16-year professional basketball player Julius Erving, the annual honor in its third year recognizes the top small forwards in Division I men's college basketball. A national committee comprised of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates.

"Julius Erving is unquestionably one of the most respected and gifted athletes to ever play the game of basketball," said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame.  "Before he was the professional super star known as Dr. J, he was an outstanding small forward at UMass. The young men on this watch list have shown glimpses of Mr. Erving's skillset and we look forward to watching them develop this season."


Julius Erving attended the University of Massachusetts and averaged 26.3 points and 20.2 rebounds per game, making him one of only six NCAA men's basketball players to average more than 20 points and 20 rebounds per game. After two seasons, Erving made the jump the American Basketball Association and was the league's most recognizable player when it merged with the National Basketball Association in 1976. During his professional career, Erving won three championships, four most valuable player awards and three scoring titles. In 1996, he was named a member of the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team.


"I'm excited to be a part of this process as we set out to identify the top small forward in the college game this year," said Julius Erving, a 1993 inductee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. "These student-athletes have worked tirelessly to earn their places on this elite watch list and I know they will continue to improve throughout the season. It's anyone's award to be earned."

By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2017 Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award will be narrowed to just 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Mr. Erving and the Hall of Fame's selection committee.  The winner of the 2017 Julius Erving Award will be presented at the ESPN College Basketball Awards Show presented by Wendy's in Los Angeles, CA on Friday, April 7, 2017.

[jbcarol]

Evan Daniels ‏@EvanDaniels 15h15 hours ago

2017 five-star Jarred Vanderbilt will take an official visit to Kentucky this weekend, he tells Scout.

[jbcarol]

Recruiting rankings for 2016-17 Media Preseason All-SEC Team

First Team All‐SEC
Moses Kingsley* #43 '13 - Arkansas, F, 6‐10, 230, Sr., Abuja, Nigeria

J.J. Frazier #68 '13 PG - Georgia, G, 5‐10, 155, Sr., Glennville, Ga.

Bam Adebayo #5 '16 - Kentucky, F, 6‐10, 260, Fr., Little Washington, N.C.

De'Aaron Fox #6 '16 - Kentucky, G, 6‐3, 187, Fr., Houston, Texas

Tyler Davis  #27 '15 - Texas A&M, C, 6‐10, 270, So., Plano, Texas

Second Team All‐SEC
KeVaughn Allen #56 '15 - Florida, G, 6‐2, 183, So., Little Rock, Ark.

Yante Maten** #39 '14 PF - Georgia, F, 6‐8, 240, Jr., Pontiac, Mich.

Isaiah Briscoe*** #13 '15 - Kentucky, G, 6‐3, 210, So., Newark, N.J

Malik Monk #9 '16 - Kentucky, G, 6‐3, 200, Fr., Lepanto, Ark.

Antonio Blakeney**** #15 '15 - LSU, G, 6‐4, 190, So., Sarasota, Fla.

Quinndary Weatherspoon #15 '15 SG - Miss. State, G, 6‐4, 202, So., Canton, Miss.

Luke Kornet #36 '13 PF - Vanderbilt, F, 7‐1, 250, Sr., Lantana, Texas

*SEC Preseason Player of the Year
** Only SEC player on the Karl Malone Award Watch List
*** Participated in 2016 NBA Combine
**** Withdrew from NBA Draft consideration prior to combine

[jbcarol]

http://www.hoophallawards.com/kareem.php

Player Name    School
Moses Kingsley    Arkansas
Eric Mika    Brigham Young University
Justin Patton    Creighton
Marques Bolden    Duke
Zena Edosomwan    Harvard
Thomas Bryant    Indiana
Bam Adebayo    Kentucky
Tim Kempton    Lehigh
Omer Yurtseven    North Carolina St.
Chris Boucher    Oregon
Isaac Haas    Purdue
Pascal Chukwu    Syracuse
Jarrett Allen    Texas
Tyler Davis    Texas A&M
Thomas Welsh    University of California, Los Angeles
Kennedy Meeks    North Carolina
Luke Kornet    Vanderbilt
Mo Alie-Cox    Virginia Commonwealth University
Josh Hawkinson    Washington St.
Ethan Happ    Wisconsin

[jbcarol]

http://247sports.com/Season/2017-Basketball/CompositeRecruitRankings?InstitutionGroup=HighSchool

16. Austin Wiley                   .9941  AU     Spain Park

27. Nick Weatherspoon         .9891  MS     Velma Jackson

36. Daniel Gafford                .9851  UA     El Dorado

40. Davion Mitchell               .9832  AU     Liberty County (GA)

43. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander  .9817  TBD   Hamilton Heights Christian

56. Chuma Okeke                 .9783  AU     Fairburn Westlake

66. Savion Flagg                  .9714  A&M   Alvin

86. Alex Reese                    .9519  Bama  Pelham

93. Galen Alexander             .9483  LS     Breaux Bridge

94. DeAundre Ballard           .9483  UF     Southwest Atlanta Christian

96. TJ Starks                       .9458  A&M  Lancaster

100. Devontae Shuler           .9425  OM   Oak Hill Academy

119. Brandon Rachal            .9276  LS     Natchitoches Central

127. Khalil Garland              .9248   UA    Parkview Magnet

141. Saben Lee                   .9173   VU    Corona Del Sol

144. Herb Jones                  .9161  Bama  Hale County

[jbcarol]

http://www.scout.com/college/basketball/recruiting/2017-basketball-prospects

13. Austin Wiley                   5-star  AU     Spain Park

26. Nick Weatherspoon         5-star  MS     Velma Jackson

33. Daniel Gafford                4-star  UA     El Dorado

37. Davion Mitchell               4-star  AU     Liberty County (GA)

41. Chuma Okeke                 4-star  AU     Fairburn Westlake

43. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander  4-star  TBD   Hamilton Heights Christian

55. Savion Flagg                 4-star  A&M   Alvin

59. Alex Reese                     4-star Bama  Pelham

92. Saben Lee                     4-star   VU    Corona Del Sol

96. TJ Starks                       4-star  A&M  Lancaster

100. Devontae Shuler          4-star  OM   Oak Hill Academy

NR. Galen Alexander            4-star  LS     Breaux Bridge

NR. Brandon Rachal             4-star  LS     Natchitoches Central

NR. DeAundre Ballard          4-star  UF     Southwest Atlanta Christian

NR. K. Feazell                      3-star  MS    Lawrence County

NR. Herb Jones                   3-star  Bama  Hale County

NR. I Jasey                         3-star  A&M   Sunrise Christian Academy

NR. E. Obinna                     3-star   VU    Virginia Academy

NR. Khalil Garland               3-star   UA    Parkview Magnet

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/791287413448540161

Matt Norlander and Gary Parrish over at CBS Sports have finally released their preseason Top 100 (and one) college basketball players, and the SEC is solidly represented:

6. Bam Adebayo, PF, Fr., Kentucky
11. Malik Monk, SG, Fr., Kentucky
15. De'Aaron Fox, PG, Fr., Kentucky
18. Moses Kingsley, PF, Sr., Arkansas
50. Tyler Davis, C, So., Texas A&M
73. KeVaughn Allen, SG, So., Florida
78. J.J. Frazier, PG, Sr., Georgia
84. Quinndary Weatherspoon, SG, So., Mississippi State
88. Isaiah Briscoe, G, So., Kentucky
90. Yante Maten, PF, Jr., Georgia
91. Luke Kornet, C, Sr., Vanderbilt
94. Dusty Hannahs, SG, Sr., Arkansas

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/aldotcomSports/status/791417888125161472

The first game in Mae Jemison boys basketball history just got even bigger.

Reigning Mr. Basketball John Petty will choose between Alabama and Kentucky during halftime of the Jaguars' home game Nov. 10 against Huntsville, according to Jemison coach Jack Doss.

Petty is rated five stars by ESPN, and four stars by 247Sports, Rivals and Scout. He is ranked the No. 5 shooting guard in the nation by the 247Sports Composite. Petty averaged 19.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.8 steals while leading J.O. Johnson to a second consecutive 5A state championship in the program's final year. He was also named Gatorade Alabama Player of the Year.

Jemison, located in Huntsville, opened its campus this semester after replacing J.O. Johnson.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/791612397857411072

Jaylen Fisher, TCU: 6-foot-2 point guard is the highest ranked recruit in the history of the Horned Frogs' program. A proven floor general with a gravitas that extends beyond his years, Fisher will be an immediate starter as Jamie Dixon attempts to rebuild his alma mater.

Tyson Carter, Mississippi State: This Starkville native wasn't expected to be the most impactful player in the Bulldogs' fabled recruiting class, but he quickly changed that notion during the team's foreign tour to Italy in August. Over four games, the 6-foot-4 Carter averaged 20.5 points and made 16-35 shots from three-point range. This kid is a player.

Danjel Purifoy, Auburn: Bruce Pearl said throughout last season that Purifoy was the Tigers' best player, and now he's finally eligible after sitting out. The 6-foot-7 forward has bounce, quickness and versatility. Expect Purifoy to be a menace on the backboards as Auburn's starting power forward.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/JonRothstein/status/792349562929283072

Admon Gilder, Texas A&M: A former top-50 recruit, Gilder can play either guard spot and knows how to score the ball from all areas on the floor. With Anthony Collins and Alex Caruso no longer in the Aggies' program, Gilder is in prime position to put his stamp on Texas A&M's perimeter.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/DXContent/status/792733369503277056

The freshman forward measured 6'9 without shoes on with a 7'1.5 wingspan and a 241.2 pound frame.

High School: Arsenal Tech
Hometown: Saskatoon, SK
Drafted:  Pick 12 in 2015 by Jazz

Averaged 6 ppg in 16-18 mpg in his rookie season

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/KyleTucker_AJC/status/792927649731645440

Gabriel was a surprise starter Sunday and produced a solid stat line: 9 points on 3-of-3 shooting, a pair of rebounds, a block and an assist in 17 minutes. But there's so much more to the long-armed, always-active rookie.

"Motor," Cats coach John Calipari said. "Every coach likes a guy with a motor, and that kid's motor ..."

Never stops. Calipari didn't finish his sentence, but it's safe to say that's where he was going with it. Just in case, here's teammate Sacha Killeya-Jones:

"He doesn't stop," the fellow freshman forward said. "Plays hard, rebounds everything. He's just a really tough player in everything, even in practice. Cal always says it doesn't matter if Wenyen misses a layup; he's going to go get his rebound and make the next one. If he misses that, go get the rebound and make the net one. He has a crazy motor."

Killeya-Jones said Gabriel, with his 6-foot-11 wingspan, is among the team leaders in practice deflections, always reaching into passing lanes and disrupting the offense. And he "definitely leads" for stick-back buckets.

"He's a high-intensity player," Willis said. "Just has a big heart and he plays really hard and you can't really teach that. It's huge for us. The whole team kind of feeds off that energy, I think."

[jbcarol]

Wenyen Gabriel could emerge as Kentucky's lock down defender

6-10 freshman has freakish length and the ability to guard five positions.

While much of the early season hype surrounding the Wildcats has been linked to either its star-studded perimeter of De'Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, and Isaiah Briscoe or the presence of freshman Bam Adebayo inside, Gabriel could wind up emerging as a key piece due to his intangibles.

A five-star recruit out of high school, this kid doesn't have the same ilk [sic] as some of the other players in Kentucky's freshman class, but that doesn't mean he can't carve out a defined role...

This and That

– Arkansas started three players — Dusty Hannahs, Dustin Thomas, and Moses Kingsley — with a combined 13 years of collegiate experience during its exhibition game last Friday as well as two junior-college transfers in Jaylen Barford and Daryl Macon. The Razorbacks are exceptionally old and that's the primary reason why I think this is the sleeper team in the SEC.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/793423303398551552

APR?

[jbcarol]

 Matt Jones ‏@KySportsRadio 14h14 hours ago

Jamal Murray has played 4 games for the Nuggets and still doesn't have a basket...surprised the degree to which he has struggled



Should be trying to figure out who to ask to Homecoming dance?

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/KyleTucker_AJC/status/794671097094541312

6-foot-10, 260-pound Adebayo, a McDonald's All-American who some believe could turn himself into the No. 1 pick in the next NBA draft, went for 13 points and 14 rebounds (5 offensive) in just 19 minutes against Clarion. But that isn't what has Calipari excited.

"It's how he's practicing," the coach said. "The kid works every day. He's in there – one of the first in the gym. He's got a smile on his face. Every day I walk in, I'll give him a mean look and then he gives me a mean look.

"He's a great kid, but again, this is a process," Calipari said. "This is November, the beginning of November. It's the first time these kids are doing some of this stuff, and they're going to be uncomfortable and they're going to be wrong ... 60, 70 percent of the time.

"Just play. Play hard, compete, battle, come up with balls, let's get some easy baskets."

It's check, check, check, check and check for Adebayo on that list. The rest is sure to come. Teammate Wenyen Gabriel has quickly established a reputation as Kentucky's high-motor guy, the man in ceaseless motion. But he's just following Adebayo's lead.

"Bam's got a lot of energy. He's very active on both ends of the floor," Gabriel said. "When we start pre-practice, he's got that energy and we've got to keep up with that enrgy. I think everyone kind of feeds off it."

Gabriel took Malik Monk's starting spot in the opener.

[jbcarol]

Jon Rothstein ‏@JonRothstein 18s18 seconds ago

15 impact JUCO transfers for the 2016-17 college basketball season. Here's more @FanRagSports: http://bit.ly/2fjLb8Z 

Daryl Macon, Arkansas: 6-3 guard was a potent scorer last season in junior college and should have a chance to be an immediate starter for the Razorbacks. Macon scored over 30 in five separate games a year ago and shot 37.9 percent from three-point range. His presence should alleviate some of the perimeter pressure on Dusty Hannahs.

Jaylen Barford, Arkansas: Like Macon, Barford will be an instant impact guy in Fayetteville. A first-team junior college All-American, this combo guard averaged 26.2 points last season and scored in double-figures in 31 of 32 games. Barford will quickly become a household name at Bud Walton Arena.

Justas Furmanavicius, Ole Miss: A stretch four with legitimate defensive versatility, this Lithuanian import should start for the Rebels next season at power forward. With Cullen Neal and Deandre Burnett set to shoulder a large chunk of minutes in the Ole Miss back court, look for the 6-7 Furmanavicius to have pick-and-pop opportunities with regularity.

[jbcarol]

Preseason bios for all of Kentucky men's basketball Top 100 players

BAM ADEBAYO

Uniform number: 3
Height, weight: 6-10, 260
Position: Forward
Class: Freshman
Age: 19
Hometown: Little Washington, N.C.
High school: High Point Christian Academy

About Adebayo: Better late than never applies to Kentucky's recruitment of Adebayo. Because a close friend, Dennis Smith Jr., committed to North Carolina State, Adebayo was expected to do the same. When he committed to UK, he was seen as the post presence that UK so obviously missed last season.

"He's a beast." — John Calipari


BRISCOE

Uniform number: 13
Height, weight: 6-3, 210
Position: Guard
Class: Sophomore
Age: 20
Hometown: Newark, N.J.
High school: Roselle Catholic

About Briscoe: Tyler Ulis was the heart and soul of UK's team last season. Some of that responsibility falls to Briscoe, who came to UK as an expected one-and-done point guard, and found his niche as a two-way glue-guy. Improved shooting will boost his NBA Draft stock. But he can be a key contributor by just doing more of the same. "When everyone focused on Ulis, there were times (Briscoe) hurt us," Alabama Coach Avery Johnson said.

"His lateral quickness is crazy. You don't think someone that big and strong should be able to move laterally." — De'Aaron Fox


DE'AARON FOX

Uniform number: 0
Height, weight: 6-3, 187
Position: Guard
Class: Freshman
Age: 18
Hometown: Houston
High school: Cypress Lakes

About Fox: Five-star prospect. Projected lottery pick. Fox fits the profile of a John Calipari point guard. It's said he has John Wall speed. "It's crazy how fast I'm moving," he said. "Honestly, I don't even notice I move that fast." Fox played on the same AAU team that produced Justise Winslow (Duke/Miami Heat), Kelly Oubre (Kansas/Washington Wizards) and Justin Jackson (North Carolina). He's eager to join UK's point guard parade.

"He's a great player. He's helping me with my defense (by) playing against quicker guards." — Isaiah Briscoe.


WENYEN GABRIEL

Uniform number: 32
Height, weight: 6-9, 213
Position: Forward
Class: Freshman
Age: 19
Hometown: Manchester, N.H.
High school: Wilbraham & Monson Academy

About Gabriel: He was born in Sudan, moved to Egypt, then moved again to New Hampshire. He was a so-called late bloomer who was not considered among the top 100 prospects in his class as recently as two years ago. Playing in New England and not being part of the AAU scene hurt his visibility. Ultimately a top-10 prospect, he chose UK over Duke, Providence and Villanova.

"He's one of the guys that may be a little bit, like, fear is driving him. 'Am I good enough?' 'What do I have to do?' His mind races sometimes. It's fine." — John Calipari


ISAAC HUMPHRIES

Uniform number: 15
Height, weight: 7-0, 255
Position: Forward
Class: Sophomore
Age: 18
Hometown: Sydney, Australia
High school: La Lumiere School

About Humphries: John Calipari has likened Humphries to Josh Harrellson. He meant the Harrellson whose startling improvement as a senior helped the Cats advance to the 2011 Final Four. Humphries contributed sporadically as a freshman. Calipari has spoken of big improvement.

What someone else says: "We need him to talk more. But, you know, the thing he's becoming, he's becoming confident. He's a little more self-assured." – John Calipari


SACHA KILLEYA-JONES

Uniform number: 1
Height, weight: 6-10, 230
Position: Forward
Class: Freshman
Age: 18
Hometown: Chapel Hill, N.C.
High school: Virginia Episcopal

About Killeya-Jones: He committed to Virginia, then de-committed before his high school senior year. Before turning full attention to basketball, he played football. His mother, who is British, encouraged him to broaden his interests beyond the gym. The football playing and variety of interests make Killeya-Jones seem like Willie Cauley-Stein. He may or may not need more than one season to ready himself for the NBA.

"I knew Sacha was good. . . . But I didn't know he was this good." — John Calipari


MALIK MONK

Uniform number: 5
Height, weight: 6-3, 200
Position: Guard
Class: Freshman
Age: 18
Hometown: Lepanto, Ark.
High school: Bentonville

About Monk: Brother Marcus played football and basketball for Arkansas. So did cousin Ky Madden. "I was faster and more athletic than everybody," he said. After the Blue-White Game, he said he and De'Aaron Fox made for the most athletic backcourt tandem in the country. No one laughed nor challenged that assertion.

Monk says: He played for the same AAU program as ex-Cat Archie Goodwin. But he came with no inside information on UK. "I haven't asked him. I wanted to see it myself."

What someone else says: "Malik's jump shot, I feel, is almost unguardable because he elevates so high." — Derek Willis

[jbcarol]

Duke Basketball ‏@DukeMBB Nov 7

BREAKING: Marques Bolden has sustained a left lower-leg injury. He will be reevaluated after this weekend.

[jbcarol]

USA TODAY Sports finally releases 2016-17 preseason All-America college basketball team including Grayson, Rabb

SEC inclusions:

Second team

F Bam Adebayo, Kentucky

Keep an eye on

    G De'Aaron Fox, Kentucky
    G Malik Monk, Kentucky
    F Moses Kingsley, Arkansas

[jbcarol]

Shai Alexander
‏@shaiglalex

Final 5❗️: Florida, Texas, Kentucky, Unlv, Syracuse

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/KyleTucker_AJC/status/797067806420373504

Alabama, Georgia and, of course, Kentucky combined to land five top-50 recruits from the Class o' '17.

Kentucky snagged power forward P.J. Washington and center Nick Richards, ranked No. 14 and 17 overall in our nation by Scout.

Bama vaulted into the top 10 of the team recruiting rankings Thursday – joining the Wildcats and rival Auburn – by landing point guard Collin Sexton and shooting guard John Petty, ranked No. 9 and No. 44 in the class.

And Georgia kept home small forward Rayshaun Hammonds, a Norcross, Ga., native and the No. 49 prospect. He's the second-highest rated recruit of Mark Fox's career in Athens, maybe anywhere.

That wild day on the trail brings the SEC's haul to 14 top-100 players so far, and the league is far from done.

Some of those Top 100* 2017 commits to SEC schools

9. Collin Sexton, 6-2, PG, Alabama

13. Austin Wiley, 6-10, C, Auburn

14. P.J. Washington, 6-8, PF, Kentucky

17. Nick Richards, 6-10, C, Kentucky

26. Nick Weatherspoon, 6-2, PG, Mississippi State

33. Daniel Gafford, 6-10, C, Arkansas

37. Davion Mitchell, 6-1, PG, Auburn

44. John Petty, 6-5, SG, Alabama

49. Rayshaun Hammonds, 6-7, SF, Georgia

41. Chuma Okeke, 6-7, SF, Auburn

55. Savion Flagg, 6-6, SF, Texas A&M

59. Alex Reese, 6-9, PF, Alabama

92. Saben Lee, 6-1, PG, Vanderbilt

100. Devontae Shuler, 6-1, PG, Ole Miss

* LSU also has a commitment from 4-star Galen Alexander

[jbcarol]

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_AJC Nov 11

Calipari: "Malik ends up with no rebounds? Come on. If you can put your head on the rim, you can go in and rebound the ball."

https://twitter.com/KyleTucker_AJC/status/797214274422734849

[jbcarol]

Adebayo's 14 points and 11 rebounds should've been 25 and 14, coach John Calipari said after the game.

"I was so happy Bam made free throws, because he missed six one-footers," the coach said.

The free throw line figures to become a familiar place for Adebayo. Knowing that, Calipari did something unconventional in Kentucky's first game and called upon his center to take technical foul shots.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/AdamZagoria/status/798151053204160512

Kentucky could lose guards De'Aaron Fox, Malik Monk and Isaiah Briscoe to the NBA Draft and is in the market for guards for 2017. Fox and Monk are projected first-round picks in 2017 by DraftExpress.com, while Briscoe is listed as a second-rounder in 2018.

Kentucky also remains in the mix for Class of 2017 point guards Quade Green, who is also considering Syracuse, Duke, Villanova and Temple and will announce Nov. 19, and Trae Young, who is considering Oklahoma and Kansas, among others.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/jerrymeyer247/status/797491745261023232

https://twitter.com/CBSSportsCBB/status/797490541235732480

[jbcarol]

 Michael Bonner ‏@MikeBBonner Nov 15

The NCAA has denied Abdul Ado's eligibility for this season.


Top 100 State commit

[jbcarol]

Evan Daniels ‏@EvanDaniels 19m19 minutes ago Harrison, NY

Five-star point guard Quade Green is expected to announce his college choice tomorrow evening.

Prediction: Kentucky

Expecting five-star power forward Billy Preston to make a decision in the very near future. Prediction: Kansas


Nothing from nothing leaves...

[jbcarol]

Jerry Tipton ‏@JerryTipton 33m33 minutes ago

SEC names Malik Monk its Freshman of Week. De'Aaron Fox was Freshman of Week the previous week.

SEC names Ole Miss forward Sebastian Saiz its Player of Week.

[jbcarol]

Kevin Brockway ‏@gatorhoops Nov 21

FYI, Gorjok Gak w 4 fouls in 4 minutes for #Gators tonight. May be a record. But credit him for playing hard.

[jbcarol]

Jerry Tipton ‏@JerryTipton Nov 23

Cal: De'Aaron Fox has the best floater in the country. I don't know why he doesn't shoot it.


Kid won't shoot the rock

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/KyleTucker_AJC/status/802343904020484096

Although Kentucky hasn't needed Briscoe for games against UT-Martin and Cleveland State, it [sic] schedule gets tougher going forward. Wildcats travel to the Bahamas to face Arizona State on Monday, then host UCLA that Saturday.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/KyleTucker_AJC/status/803005782254043140

They're gonna be alright

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Michael_Carvell/status/803450136869400576

[jbcarol]

 Kevin Brockway ‏@gatorhoops 22h22 hours ago Florida, USA

South Carolina G Sindarius Thornwell named SEC player of the week, Texas A&M F Robert Williams named SEC freshman of the week.

[jbcarol]

Jeff Goodman Verified account
‏@GoodmanESPN

Jeff Goodman Retweeted Jon B

McDonald's All-Americans are irrelevant. Often, the voting is political, anyways.

[jbcarol]

Kyle Tucker ‏@KyleTucker_AJC 3h3 hours ago

OFFICIAL: De'Aaron Fox will keep his triple-double.



Hazard of these games on Fantasy Island

[jbcarol]

Jerry Meyer ‏@jerrymeyer247 20h20 hours ago

Jerry Meyer Retweeted

I'd call it a toss up between Kentucky and Duke for Mohamed Bamba, ranked No. 3 in the 247Sports Composite. http://247sports.com/Player/Mohamed-Bamba-76118 ... https://twitter.com/clintmayo1990/status/804029815552671753 ...

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/ArRecruitingGuy/status/806344676534091777

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/KyleTucker_AJC/status/806868834653237248

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky basketball fans clamoring for senior guard Mychal Mulder to get more playing time will be happy to know that someone with coach John Calipari's ear is working relentlessly behind the scenes to make it happen. Mulder calls sophomore guard Isaiah Briscoe his "advocate" with the boss.

"If Isaiah's on the bench and I'm in the game, if I do something that frustrates Cal, I see Isaiah go, 'No, no, let him go. Let him make up for it,' " Mulder said. "He's close enough with him that he can say, 'Don't worry, he's good.' "

Briscoe's lobbying paid off in Wednesday night's 87-63 win over Valparaiso, when Mulder logged 16 minutes and produced 9 points, 7 rebounds (4 offensive), 2 assists, a block and no turnovers. He was just 1 for 5 from beyond the arc –

https://twitter.com/RobDauster/status/706213945347088386

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Mike_Schmitz/status/807240486373101568

Former Bama commit

[jbcarol]

Jon Rothstein ‏@JonRothstein 19h19 hours ago

Kansas sophomore Carlton Bragg has been suspended indefinitely, per release. Was arrested for domestic battery this week.


Former SEC lean

[jbcarol]

So, let's see how the current freshmen compare to earlier UK one-and-one players after nine games

Fox has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 67-22. That's slightly better than Tyler Ulis' 49-17 after nine games last season. (Yes, Ulis was not a freshman, but it was his first season at the helm of a Kentucky team.)

Other ratios after nine games are John Wall's 64-39, Andrew Harrison's 33-20, Marquis Teague's 38-26 and Brandon Knight's 33-36.

Monk has made 26 of 68 three-point shots. That's more attempts and made shots from three-point range than such celebrated UK shooters as Knight (20 of 59), Jamal Murray (18 of 54), Devin Booker (14 of 39), Aaron Harrison (14 of 42) and Eric Bledsoe (12 of 25).

Monk's 38.2-percent shooting accuracy on threes trails only Bledsoe's 48 percent.

By the way, Jodie Meeks had made 25 (of 69) shots from beyond the arc after nine games in 2008-09, the season in which he set a UK record with 117 three-point baskets.

Adebayo has grabbed 73 rebounds. After nine games, Julius Randle had 109, Terrence Jones 92, Anthony Davis 82, Nerlens Noel 81 and DeMarcus Cousins 75. Adebayo does have more rebounds than Skal Labissiere [as did Tyler Ulis] (35).

Calipari says, "The longer a player stays in college, the less attractive he is to (NBA) executives."

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/BenRobertsHL/status/808683844635398144
[table listing college stats for the Top 25 recruits in the Class o' '16 including Mustapha Heron via link]

Malik Monk (19.4 points) is UK's leading scorer, Bam Adebayo (8.0 rebounds) is the Cats' leader in boards and De'Aaron Fox (6.9 assists) is the leading passer on John Calipari's team. Freshmen are also leading the way in blocks (Adebayo's 18) and steals (Fox's 17), while Monk's 30 three-pointers are almost double the number of the next-best Wildcat, senior Mychal Mulder with 16 threes (in about 10-12 mpg).

The only other player ranked among the Top 25 recruits in the 2016 class with a higher scoring average than Monk so far this season is Washington's Markelle Fultz, who is averaging 22.8 points per game and is projected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft [and maybe ever].

TJ Leaf (9.3 rebounds per game) and Michigan State's Miles Bridges (8.8 rpg) are the only Top 25 recruits ahead of Adebayo in that category.

And UCLA's Lonzo Ball (8.8 assists per game) is the only freshman ahead of Fox, who is ranked 10th nationally in that category.  [UK freshmen have faced the three aforementioned ballers.]

Fox, who leads UK with 30.2 minutes per game, is also one of six Top 25 recruits from 2016 averaging more than 30 minutes a game this season. The others are N.C. State's Dennis Smith Jr. (36.1), Ball (34.2), Fultz (33.3), Bridges (32.5) and Arizona's Lauri Markkanen (31.5).

Note: Thon Maker, Terrance Ferguson and Omari Spellman will not play college basketball this season. Harry Giles and Omer Yurtseven have yet to make their college debuts for one reason or another. Jayson Tatum and former UK lean Marques Bolden have been limited due to injuries.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/KyleTucker_AJC/status/808840463126065152

DE'AARON FOX (6-3, G, Fr.)

2016-17 Averages: 30.2 minutes, 15.1 points, 6.9 assists, 5.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 2.4 turnovers

The Skinny: Fox already recorded just the second triple-double in school history and ranks ninth nationally (second among freshmen) in assists per game. Tyler Ulis, who set a single-season school record for assists last season, had 53 through 10 games.

Fox has 69

MALIK MONK (6-3, G, Fr.)

2016-17 Averages: 28.0 minutes, 19.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.8 turnovers

The Skinny: He is as freaky and streaky as advertised. Ten games into his college career, Monk has a highlight reel of dunks and crazy 3-pointers most players would love to produce across their lifetime. He's averaging nearly four points per game more than Jamal Murray did when he set the UK freshman scoring record

ISAIAH BRISCOE (6-3, G, So.)

2016-17 Averages: 28.8 minutes, 16.6 points, 3.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 2.4 turnovers

The Skinny: There is no question he's helped himself and the Wildcats by coming back for his sophomore season.

BAM ADEBAYO (6-10, F, Fr.)

2016-17 Averages: 25.3 minutes, 12.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 0.9 assists

The Skinny: Former McDonald's All-American freshman is not yet dominant

WENYEN GABRIEL (6-9, F, Fr.)

2016-17 Averages: 20.4 minutes, 6.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 blocks

The Skinny: Calipari has been critical of his defense at times, but Gabriel has shown flashes of his 5-star potential, including a triple-double flirtation against Cleveland State (10 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists).