Kentucky head coach John Calipari’s departure for Arkansas muddied the Wildcats’ instant future. They snatched Mark Pope from BYU and haven’t missed a beat, boasting a greater document than Calipari’s Razorbacks. The Wildcats sit at 13-3 with ranked wins over Duke, Gonzaga, Florida and Misssipppi State.
They’ve succeeded regardless of practically all of Calipari’s top-ranked recruits leaping ship to Fayetteville. Pope rebuilt the roster with a high quality bunch of transfers and has gained regardless of their lack of big-name expertise. Kentucky depends on their collective power to win video games — six Wildcats common at the least 10 factors per recreation (together with Amari Williams’ 9.9).
Traditionally, Kentucky has been an NBA prospect manufacturing facility beneath Calipari. Will Pope’s ‘Cats produce any affect professionals? Let’s consider the deserves of Kentucky’s three most promising professional prospects.
Koby Brea, Wing, Kentucky
Brea, who transferred from Dayton this offseason, may be the most important identify on Kentucky’s roster from a draft perspective. He’s the NCAA’s greatest shooter at 6’7, taking pictures an absurd 48% on 14.3 triples per 100 possessions. This isn’t a single-season fluke both. All through his profession, Brea’s transformed 44.2% on 616 3-point makes an attempt.
Dynamic, tall shooters like Brea have a tendency to seek out NBA properties. He’ll dash off of screens to set for his pictures from nicely past the NBA line. Brea is a flamethrower off of the dribble, taking pictures 52.5% (21-40) this season on his threes off of the bounce. There’s little or no doubt surrounding Brea’s taking pictures translation to the league.
koby brea this season — 48% from 3 on 14.3 3pa/100, 46.6% (27-58) on catch and shoots, 52.5% (21-40) off the dribble. comfy off motion/inventive pull-up taking pictures from past NBA vary. unbothered by contests
comical shooter pic.twitter.com/pbcvrnda5O
— ben pfeifer (@bjpf_) January 14, 2025
Past his taking pictures, Brea’s NBA projection is murkier. His assist-to-turnover ratio (2.8) is a career-high, nevertheless it’s honest to attribute a few of that to Mark Pope’s system. Brea virtually by no means will get to the road (5.9% free-throw charge) and doesn’t add a lot worth on the defensive finish.
Brea’s lack of ancillary expertise past his ceiling as a 22-year-old will restrict his draft ceiling, however measurement and taking pictures alone have helped worse gamers attain the NBA. It’s simple to think about a group spending a late first or early second-round decide on Brea for his particular taking pictures alone.
I’ll shout out Jaxson Robinson right here, one other wing shooter with a robust faculty profile. He’s not as dynamic as Brea with comparable points as a defender, however with a bit extra contained in the arc scoring juice. These limitations make him an extended shot NBA prospect, however measurement and taking pictures alone may earn him a Two-Method deal.
Brandon Garrison, Heart
Regardless of not enjoying as a lot as Kentucky’s different bigs, Garrison boasts a couple of main benefits over them from an NBA perspective. Garrison is a sophomore with phenomenal measurement, size, motion expertise and vertical explosion. These instruments pop most on the defensive finish, the place he’s blocked pictures (4.0% block charge) and guarded the rim.
Watching the sport once more and I’m extra impressed with the performs Brandon Garrison made in key moments. If he doesn’t get a chunk of that try from Knueppel, we may be having a distinct dialog. He additionally received to a 50/50 ball to scrub up a cease and a miss on the opposite finish. pic.twitter.com/tPo7AH0HPw
— Shawn Smith (@_CoachSSmith) November 13, 2024
Pope asks Garrison to maneuver and get well in house, capitalizing on his spectacular mobility for his measurement. There’s lots to scrub up when it comes to approach, resolution making and fouling (5.0 fouls dedicated per 40 minutes), however Garrison’s defensive potential is obvious.
His passing contact and ability pops extra on Kentucky than it did final season at Oklahoma State given Pope’s movement offense. Garrison processes the ground easily for his age, particularly passing to cutters. It’s doable he develops right into a succesful hub huge on the NBA stage.
Garrison isn’t receiving a lot NBA draft buzz this cycle and sure will stay in faculty. If he can sharpen his defensive play, add power and proceed enjoying bodily, Garrison may find yourself as a first-round decide down the road.
Otega Oweh, Guard
Oweh spent his first two seasons at Oklahoma as a hard-nosed, defensively slanted guard with out a lot offensive utility. His defensive contributions transferred over to Kentucky as anticipated. Oweh sticks to defenders like glue, sliding round screens and mirroring together with his quickness and robust base. He’s producing turnovers as at all times, posting a robust 3.3% steal charge.
His offensive enhancements this season have moved Oweh nearer to NBA Draft radars. He’s posting profession highs in true taking pictures (59%), 3-point quantity (5.2 per 100 possessions) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.6). Oweh flashed some fundamental motion taking pictures, which might be massively helpful for his projection as an off-ball guard possibility on the subsequent stage.
clean three from otega oweh, who’s now 4/8 from three on the season. if he shoots then i’m in on him pic.twitter.com/VsuxBo1pAw
— Chip Williams (@chipwilliamsjr) November 13, 2024
To stay within the NBA, Oweh should shoot constantly from deep and show his passing enhancements lengthen past Pope’s system. If Oweh can change into a dependable shooter, there’s a path for him to make the league as a 3-D utility guard.
