Isaiah Jackson Picks...KENTUCKY!!

bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
Big pick up.

Worse case scenario next year we have four 5-star starters with Askew, Clarke, Boston, and Jackson, with two high 4-star backups in Fletcher and Ware. Should at least get Allen back.

Need Banchero to finish out this class.

Then need some guys like Quickley, Brooks, and Juzang to be smart enough to come back.
 

Son_Of_Saul

Hall of Famer
Dec 7, 2007
45,705
100,992
113
Big pick up.

Worse case scenario next year we have four 5-star starters with Askew, Clarke, Boston, and Jackson, with two high 4-star backups in Fletcher and Ware. Should at least get Allen back.

Need Banchero to finish out this class.

Then need some guys like Quickley, Brooks, and Juzang to be smart enough to come back.

I'd say it's probable we return 3 to 4 guys. Right now, everyone but Maxey looks like a D-League type player. There will be two or three that beak out of that group, but the numbers don't inspire confidence that more than a handful will be draftable (or even worthy of two way contracts).

I'm with you in that I see IQ, Brooks, Juzang, and Allen returning. Maybe even one guy from the Hagans/Whitney/EJ/Richards crowd.
 
Last edited:
Apr 22, 2011
25,749
14,375
0
Lee was here when our talent level was at a ridiculous high. I’d honestly love T.J. have Lee on last year and this year’s teams. Block shots, rebound, catch lobs.

100%.

If he is another Marcus Lee type player, sign me up. Lee was just stuck behind a ridiculous amount of front court talent in his time here.

But, at the end of the day, I think Jackson looks better and has a higher ceiling than Lee.
 

sk73

All-Conference
Feb 16, 2013
3,212
3,276
113
I'd say it's probable we return 3 to 4 guys. Right now, everyone but Maxey looks like a D-League type player. There will be two or three that beak out of that group, but the numbers don't inspire confidence than more than a handful will be draftable (or even worthy of two way contracts).

I'm with you in that I see IQ, Brooks, Juzang, and Allen returning. Maybe even one guy from the Hagans/Whitney/EJ/Richards crowd.
Totally agree..
 
  • Like
Reactions: kygrandpa
Jan 30, 2018
16,155
24,636
0
I have read over and over from different media outlets that he is really underrated. If that's true he should be really good. 2020 is loaded and he is ranked pretty high around 25th. To be honest 2020 has a chance to be so special for us I'm hoping we add Paolo or Brown, but we needed more than one guy. Look at this year. We are thin this year and are going to lose some and possibly all of our bigs. Welcome aboard! Now let's go get one big man-beast to hold down the paint.

I know one thing, that's the #1 class with a bullet. Really shouldn't be all that close now no matter which recruiting site you use.
 

Son_Of_Saul

Hall of Famer
Dec 7, 2007
45,705
100,992
113
I have read over and over from different media outlets that he is really underrated. If that's true he should be really good. 2020 is loaded and he is ranked pretty high around 25th. To be honest 2020 has a chance to be so special for us I'm hoping we add Paolo or Brown, but we needed more than one guy. Look at this year. We are thin this year and are going to lose some and possibly all of our bigs. Welcome aboard! Now let's go get one big man-beast to hold down the paint.

I know one thing, that's the #1 class with a bullet. Really shouldn't be all that close now no matter which recruiting site you use.

I think the UK staff probably feels good about getting 3 to 5 guys back at this point. Add Banchero to the mix and UK will be the team to beat next season. I'd really like to see a second-year version of Brooks or Whitney as the small-ball four man.
 

bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
I'd say it's probable we return 3 to 4 guys. Right now, everyone but Maxey looks like a D-League type player. There will be two or three that beak out of that group, but the numbers don't inspire confidence than more than a handful will be draftable (or even worthy of two way contracts).

I'm with you in that I see IQ, Brooks, Juzang, and Allen returning. Maybe even one guy from the Hagans/Whitney/EJ/Richards crowd.

Right now, I think we get 4 back:

Quickley- needs the opportunity to lead the offense. He won’t get drafted as a 6’3 SG. Hopefully, he comes back and runs the Point for us. Cal has to commit to letting him play PG next year, though, or he will likely transfer.

Brooks- needs to get stronger. Could be a first rounder with a strong second season.

Juzang- unless he makes some major improvements over the next few months he will be back. He’s not ready to contribute in college let alone play pro ball.

Allen- obviously.

Get those 4 back and that’s a great 10-man roster:

G Quickley/Askew
G Clarke/Allen
G Boston/Juzang
F Brooks/Fletcher
F Jackson/Ware

That’s a contender. Good mix of superstar talent (Clarke, Boston), elite veterans (Quickley, Brooks), and exceptional role players (Juzang, Jackson, Askew, Allen, Fletcher, Ware).

Add a superstar big man (Banchero) and we are the favorites next season.
 
A

anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y

Guest
From Eric Bossi:

When it comes to bigs, everybody is looking for that guy who can switch all over the floor defensively, protect the rim and run the floor for finishes. A five-star prospect in 2020, Jackson does all of that at a high level. Yes, he needs to add strength but everything else is there to be an impact player at the next level. His motor runs high, he makes plays and the stroke on his shot doesn’t look too bad either. Jackson is already very productive on both ends but his ceiling for improvement is as high as anybody else who hit the floor.
 

Son_Of_Saul

Hall of Famer
Dec 7, 2007
45,705
100,992
113
Right now, I think we get 4 back:

Quickley- needs the opportunity to lead the offense. He won’t get drafted as a 6’3 SG. Hopefully, he comes back and runs the Point for us. Cal has to commit to letting him play PG next year, though, or he will likely transfer.

Brooks- needs to get stronger. Could be a first rounder with a strong second season.

Juzang- unless he makes some major improvements over the next few months he will be back. He’s not ready to contribute in college let alone play pro ball.

Allen- obviously.

Get those 4 back and that’s a great 10-man roster:

G Quickley/Askew
G Clarke/Allen
G Boston/Juzang
F Brooks/Fletcher
F Jackson/Ware

That’s a contender. Good mix of superstar talent (Clarke, Boston), elite veterans (Quickley, Brooks), and exceptional role players (Juzang, Jackson, Askew, Allen, Fletcher, Ware).

Add a superstar big man (Banchero) and we are the favorites next season.

What's fascinating about this is that Calipari will likely have an elite slasher (Clarke) surrounded by multiple perimeter players who shoot at a high level. I really like the idea of Juzang (6'7") and Boston (6'7") on the wing at times together. Throw in two lead guards who can also shoot the ball (Askew/Quickley) and as you noted, all UK needs is a legit big to make a serious push at the title next year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kygrandpa

caneintally

Heisman
Oct 1, 2002
27,455
17,056
0
Right now, I think we get 4 back:

Quickley- needs the opportunity to lead the offense. He won’t get drafted as a 6’3 SG. Hopefully, he comes back and runs the Point for us. Cal has to commit to letting him play PG next year, though, or he will likely transfer.

Brooks- needs to get stronger. Could be a first rounder with a strong second season.

Juzang- unless he makes some major improvements over the next few months he will be back. He’s not ready to contribute in college let alone play pro ball.

Allen- obviously.

Get those 4 back and that’s a great 10-man roster:

G Quickley/Askew
G Clarke/Allen
G Boston/Juzang
F Brooks/Fletcher
F Jackson/Ware

That’s a contender. Good mix of superstar talent (Clarke, Boston), elite veterans (Quickley, Brooks), and exceptional role players (Juzang, Jackson, Askew, Allen, Fletcher, Ware).

Add a superstar big man (Banchero) and we are the favorites next season.
Don't think Quick will be back but I do think for the most part you are correct .

Askew / grad transfer pg
Clarke/ Juzang
Boston/Fletcher
Brooks/Ware
Banchero/ Jackson

and I think we will have another big man either grad transfer or someone like Cliff O .
 

bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
From Eric Bossi:

When it comes to bigs, everybody is looking for that guy who can switch all over the floor defensively, protect the rim and run the floor for finishes. A five-star prospect in 2020, Jackson does all of that at a high level. Yes, he needs to add strength but everything else is there to be an impact player at the next level. His motor runs high, he makes plays and the stroke on his shot doesn’t look too bad either. Jackson is already very productive on both ends but his ceiling for improvement is as high as anybody else who hit the floor.

That is nice to hear. Switching and rim protection is critical with Cal’s defense.

Can he get it done offensively? That’s the main concern.
 

Son_Of_Saul

Hall of Famer
Dec 7, 2007
45,705
100,992
113
Don't think Quick will be back but I do think for the most part you are correct .

Askew / grad transfer pg
Clarke/ Juzang
Boston/Fletcher
Brooks/Ware
Banchero/ Jackson

and I think we will have another big man either grad transfer or someone like Cliff O .

Quickley/Hagans/EJ/Nick/Whitney/Brooks/Juzang all have a mountain to climb before NBA teams will even throw the smallest scent of a two-way contract at them. The chances that more than half of those guys climb that mountain by season's end is reasonably minimal. I think we lose about 3 to 4 to the NBA and if we lose more than that it will likely be because guys transferred and/or chose overseas.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bucsrule8872

bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
Don't think Quick will be back but I do think for the most part you are correct .

Askew / grad transfer pg
Clarke/ Juzang
Boston/Fletcher
Brooks/Ware
Banchero/ Jackson

and I think we will have another big man either grad transfer or someone like Cliff O .

I really think we need Quickley back. I don’t think Askew is the answer at PG. Not by himself. I think Askew will need two years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Son_Of_Saul

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,461
62,109
113
From Eric Bossi:

When it comes to bigs, everybody is looking for that guy who can switch all over the floor defensively, protect the rim and run the floor for finishes. A five-star prospect in 2020, Jackson does all of that at a high level. Yes, he needs to add strength but everything else is there to be an impact player at the next level. His motor runs high, he makes plays and the stroke on his shot doesn’t look too bad either. Jackson is already very productive on both ends but his ceiling for improvement is as high as anybody else who hit the floor.

The good news is, he has 11 months to beef up. I keep forgetting that.. these guys all have another year to get better.. not like when we get some guys in April or May. I have to imagine Cal is telling Jackson to get in the weight room.

.. because damn, he's rail thin. He's that type of player I cringe every time watching him leave the ground. But he seems similar to Brandon Ingram. Lanky, a mismatch nightmare, probably not as good offensively, but better defensively.
 
  • Like
Reactions: crxohio

University-6

All-American
Sep 28, 2017
1,127
8,713
113
From Eric Bossi:

When it comes to bigs, everybody is looking for that guy who can switch all over the floor defensively, protect the rim and run the floor for finishes. A five-star prospect in 2020, Jackson does all of that at a high level. Yes, he needs to add strength but everything else is there to be an impact player at the next level. His motor runs high, he makes plays and the stroke on his shot doesn’t look too bad either. Jackson is already very productive on both ends but his ceiling for improvement is as high as anybody else who hit the floor.
The part I like is the high motor. With the firepower we have coming in all we need is a big guy to give maximum effort, rebound and play D. My way too early pick is Jackson will be a fan favorite.
 

bucsrule8872

Heisman
May 30, 2005
24,397
29,352
0
Quickley/Hagans/EJ/Nick/Whitney/Brooks/Juzang all have a mountain to climb before NBA teams will even throw the smallest scent of a two-way contract at them. The chances that more than half of those guys climb that mountain by season's end is reasonably minimal. I think we lose about 3 to 4 to the NBA and if we lose more than that it will likely be because guys transferred and/or chose overseas.

Agreed.

Quickley transfers most likely if Cal plans to start Askew at PG.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Son_Of_Saul

Cardsstink

Heisman
Mar 20, 2017
7,791
11,201
0
Can Jackson jack threes? I assume he can because of his last name. Some of our "fans" won't want him if he can't jack a three. I can't wait to get him since he's a shot blocker.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RunninRichie