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Kanter Wants to Play for Calipari

By: Brett Blevins

After witnessing the season the Kentucky Wildcats have had so far this season, Enes Kanter has decided that UK is the best place for him to hone his skills for the next level...and it is really hard to disagree with that.

All four of UK's freshmen who see significant time this year (Mr. Hood your time will come later, believe it) have seen their draft status explode through the roof. Wall has always been thought of and solidified himself as the top pick, but look at the other three: Demarcus Cousins has changed his body and proved that his attitude isn't as big of an issue as many want you to believe, Eric Bledsoe is now said to be a projected lottery pick (from my former instructor and ESPN NBA Draft guru Chad Ford), and Daniel Orton would be drafted in the first round as well.

Make no mistake top level kids want to go where they know they will be developed for the NBA. Calipari has proven it and welcomes this top level talent, no matter the effect on roster turnover, with open arms. The rest of the nation, outside of the Bluegrass and the Big Blue Mist that is rapidly spreading, will continue to hate on this approach and bring up the experience over talent argument. That argument has played out. Any coach will take talent right now. This Kentucky team has proven that you better, and proven it loud and clear. If the doubters don't figure it out then they better just get used to seeing it, because kids like Kanter will continue to choose the Cats as a springboard to the league.

Is Kanter a 1-and-done? Who knows. But he will be a top 25 ranked kid once the recruit-niks put their new rankings out. He is big and strong and does one thing extremely well that translates to any level: rebound. He has been offered professional contracts overseas, but would prefer to jump to the NBA via Lexington. The University of Washington (Kanter's previous chosen destination) couldn't match or compete with that. I have a feeling that not many schools will be able to during Calipari's tenure at UK. Cal has truly turned an empire in perile back into the rich getting richer overnight.

Everyone keep your eyes peeled for a few decisions and announcements to be pushed back to see how UK's tourney runs shakes out, and then expect the dominoes to fall. I've noticed that not too many Big Blue fans are panicking over potentially losing 5 of the team's top 6 players to the NBA...maybe they already know. UK will no longer have rosters devoid of talent under Calipari's watch. They will no longer have 1 huge and 1 mediocre recruiting class. UK will recruit and get the best of the best year in and year out.

The talent has returned.

This article is associated with the following player(s):
Kanter, Enes

POSTED: 3-23-2010

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