Since John Calipari arrived at Kentucky in 2009, he has consistently recruited the best guards in the country. But is this 2016-17 backcourt the best he’s had yet?
Malik Monk and De’Aaron Fox have been one of the best backcourts in the SEC, if not the best backcourt in the entire country. And as is always the case under Calipari, they’re both freshmen.
Calipari has made a habit of recruiting elite one-and-done talent to Lexington, that’s no news flash. But some of the biggest stars he’s had have been in the front court.
In a recent interview with Bleacher Report, Calipari named his All-Kentucky starting five.
“Well, Anthony Davis. John Wall. Karl Towns. I’d probably play DeMarcus Cousins and let Anthony be a 3. And what would the last position be? Shooting guard? I’d probably say Devin Booker.”
That’s quite the resume for a coach who is only in his eighth year at the program.
Anthony Davis, Demarcus Cousins, and Karl-Anthony Towns are the three best big men in the NBA right now, and collectively they only have 14 seasons in the NBA.
But his backcourt hasn’t been too shabby either.
Since 2010, seven Wildcat guards have been selected in the first round of the NBA draft after their freshman season. And this backcourt might be the best of the bunch.