Where do we now stand on Trae Young?

May 9, 2013
156
70
0
I was going to post this on the recruiting board but it seems like it's dead over there. With the signing of Green, what does that mean for young? I mean Alexander and now Green.... Are we out on Young?
 

GonzoCat90

Heisman
Mar 30, 2009
32,377
34,559
0
Throughout his recruitment, Young's dad has said UK is upfront about their targets and that other players have no effect on Trae's decision.

Evan Daniels says we have no shot at him now. He seems to be the only credible voice saying that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: _Rooster
May 9, 2013
156
70
0
Yeah, I don't think Young is concerned with who we have in the cupboard, but I'm curious as to us signing them because we've gotten word Young is headed elsewhere.
 

gracetoyou

Heisman
Apr 19, 2009
20,336
29,681
113
I wish Daniels would elaborate why he's so strongly saying Young is off the board now for UK with the Green commit. Makes no sense to me with what Cal does year in & year out with multiple good guards.
 

Jmeeks54thebest

All-American
Apr 18, 2009
6,867
9,733
0
Well if he came here he would have to get used to more of a 2G role since, between him and Green, Green is the better facilitator and Young the better shooter/scorer.

I know we're "positionless" but that doesn't mean we're just running around with our heads cut off.
 

Bkocats

Heisman
Jan 2, 2011
80,908
70,033
67
I'd prefer not to stand on him, thanks [winking]

Seriously, what ARE the "gut" feelings of y'all?
 
  • Like
Reactions: _Rooster

Cawood86_rivals

Heisman
Feb 20, 2005
36,711
64,715
0
I'd prefer not to stand on him, thanks [winking]

Seriously, what ARE the "gut" feelings of y'all?
Honestly, I think Young and Green together would work, but I don't think he comes. Weakness is that both Young and Green are 6-1' at best. That's a little too small for a backcourt IMO.
Now I'm probably in the minority on that. Young would likely be in the traditional 2G slot meaning he would have to guard a much bigger 2G for other teams.
Cal puts a premium on defense. I am sure I am wrong, but that's my biggest downfall for Young.
I know Bledsoe was shorter but he was also an athletic freak.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bkocats

Dablueman

All-American
Feb 5, 2003
16,981
5,703
0
I swear it's like some of you still don't pay attention to Cal and how he does. Young is still a primary target. Alexander is not a starter. Young and Green will start. Young wil play the shooting guard and will be primary back up at the point. Young likes to score and all he has to do is show the league he can play the pg. It's why cal preaches position less. All u have to do is listen to young and his dad. Dude has been a cat for a while. It makes sense. Especially if we get Diallo. We will need a shooter to off set that Diallo can't. Our starting guards and wings will be Green Young and either Knox or Diallo. With Bamba and Washington and Hump and Richardson backing them up. Alexander and either a local 4 star or a grad transfer will back up the guards.
 

spotter34

All-American
Dec 31, 2002
19,357
8,719
113
If we had gotten Tremont Waters and Green then I think we would move on from Young, but not with Alexander and Green. Nothing against Alexander but most believe he's a multi-year player and he's tall enough to where he can play other positions.

I still think we get Young. I've never read anything that has made me feel otherwise. I believe he and Cal have worked together in him waiting to the spring. If Cal didn't think he had a shot at Green he probably would have had Trae sign last week, but since it kept looking better and better for Green he and Trae decided to wait. Young signing would have had more influence on Green's decision than Green's signing would have on Trae's decision.

I may be completely off but I think Young is in the bag. They needed another elite guard and Young waiting was the best way to assure that happening.
 
May 27, 2007
31,943
25,083
113
I still feel great players want to play with other great players.

Young seems to be very high on UK.

I would be surprised if we don't land him
 
May 27, 2007
31,943
25,083
113
Here's my issue with the Crystal Ball

Wisdom of the crowds works. For projection systems.......usually taking the average of many systems will work better than using just one system.

The key being is that each system is independent of one another

That's the issue for the Crystal Ball. It seems to me like everyone is just piggybacking other opinions. It doesn't work this way.
 
Apr 8, 2015
633
400
0
If Trae Young is serious about his future, he will take his talents to Lexington. Staying in Big 12 Country would likely spell doom for his professional prospects.
 
  • Like
Reactions: _Rooster

LostinIndiana

Junior
Mar 23, 2003
1,255
390
0
I guess the comment that Green made after the game at MSG has already been forgotten. He was that two point guards could work together seamlessly and that is what changed his mind about Syracuse. More important than that, two PG's can share the spotlight together. Add another quality shot blocker and wing with a good shooting stroke and you're dancin'.
 

G-PIP

All-American
Mar 14, 2014
5,286
5,964
0
I have no clue where we stand with Trae Young (outside of maybe CoachX11, who here would). But I believe the team has to have at least 2 more guards that can play (and I have not seen anything to suggest that Brad Calipari can ever play competitively at this level, he's at UK to learn to coach). I kind of like the idea that one of those would be a proven graduate transfer.

So, Young will have no worries about playing time; although based on reports of his and Green's games, it seems likely that his time will mainly be at 2G. Also, as many others have said, Cal's history should clearly signal to Young that he will not lose any prospect appeal by playing alongside Green as another PG. I would argue that this scenario may actually help Young's draft stock. It seems with NBA prospects the unknown is often overvalued, sometimes to the extent of wistful thinking. So, Young comes in and shows he can score; and the decision makers assume he'll be fine at the point in the league - whereas, if he actually played the point in college it may expose some weaknesses as a distributor for him at that position. Then again, maybe not. Maybe I'm just trying too hard to justify why Young should still pick UK.
 
  • Like
Reactions: oldfanofuk

jrpross_rivals

Heisman
Feb 21, 2008
17,565
36,120
113
I'd prefer not to stand on him, thanks [winking]

Seriously, what ARE the "gut" feelings of y'all?
My gut feeling is we still get him. His dad laughed at the notion that Kentucky was out now that Green is on board. Right now it doesn't seem to affect them but I do think it gives Oklahoma and Kansas some ammo they didn't have before. Oklahoma can tell him that he wasn't the priority for us that he is for them since we went ahead and signed someone else. Both Oklahoma and Kansas can tell him that he can come and be the sole primary ball handler as opposed to playing off ball sometimes at Kentucky.

Those things MAY end up swaying him, as they will be continually driven into his head but I still think we have a very good shot.
 

westerncat

Heisman
Feb 19, 2012
15,923
20,891
0
I still think we are in good shape with Young. He & Green can both play at UK together. When Young gets into the pro's he will not be the man so to speak. It would be best for him to play against great players in practice to improve his game. I can see him playing the SG & PG both at UK. JMO
 

Cawood86_rivals

Heisman
Feb 20, 2005
36,711
64,715
0
I would say in order of likeliness:

Bamba
Knox
Diallo

Green committing helps UK for each. I've heard the least about Diallo.
I would take that in a heartbeat. Bamba and Knox are pure studs and gamechangers. That would be some class if Young also comes. My goodness.
 

Fresh Start

Heisman
Sep 13, 2015
12,690
31,369
113
I just can't understand why Green would be a negative for Young. Young will have an opportunity to score a ton of points if he doesn't have to run the point 100% of the time. Seems like a win win situation to me.

I've never been concerned about this class because, well, Calipari never completely misses the boat, never.

Now I'm beginning to think it's not going to be a good class but a great class. Young, Knox, Bamba to finish it out
 

lacocat

Senior
Nov 7, 2007
2,606
501
0
Traes tweet yesterday says.... They will soar on wings like "EAGLES".. Boston College or Auburn may be in the mix now, unless i'm reading too much into this.

 
  • Like
Reactions: _Rooster and Aike

BBUK_anon

Hall of Famer
May 26, 2005
52,358
124,843
0
If Trae Young is serious about his future, he will take his talents to Lexington. Staying in Big 12 Country would likely spell doom for his professional prospects.

You state that and I normally would disagree but what you state has been proven time and time again. (Wiggins being an exception.)
 

Aike

Heisman
Mar 17, 2002
75,452
46,418
90
Watch the way Steph Curry runs the point. He initiates the offense then cuts and runs all over the court like a 2 guard looking for his jumper.

For that matter, Draymond Green might initiate the offense if he grabs the rebound.

Really, it's what we are trying to do now. Pitch ahead to one of our quick guards - doesn't matter who.

"Positionless." We got this.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Real Deal 2

Real Deal 2

Heisman
Jan 25, 2007
11,322
13,694
113
He would be better served to bring Duke back in the mix than to go to KU, this is where great point guards go to die or stay 4 years to then not be drafted. The Young's are smart, Cal is PG Lottery, he is also PG, 2G, combo guard lotto. Knight, Wall, Harrison's, Bledsoe learned to play without ball, Knight as well. Cal is going to coach and play them ala NBA, combo. Knight for many of the games was our 2G due to shooting prowess. Green is a distributor that can play with ball or without. Ulis would have been lottery if he was 6 ft. tall. Some are saying D. Foxx is top 2-3 pick and he can't shoot. This is about real life, UK and Cal are going to secure your NBA aspirations. I mean Liggins is playing for Cavs.

Young and Cal have been going at this for 2 years, Cal did this with Harrison's and Brandon Knight and Wall. He set sights on these guys. Teague, Ulis were all late to party and realized playing for Cal as PG/combo makes you money. Cal and kid, along with dad have been told what is going on, they know the plan. Cal has marked him for 2 years as his guy.

Think it's more to appease the home folks, OU probably asked for him to watch them this year. Family probably wants to keep home folks happy, let OU get in FB playoff, bowl games and recruiting. Probably commit when things die down a bit and all things are on OU FB or recruiting.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Aike
Apr 8, 2015
633
400
0
You state that and I normally would disagree but what you state has been proven time and time again. (Wiggins being an exception.)

Exactly, I totally agree.

But, let's be real, Wiggins could have gone to Louisville or Indiana and still become a stud. His development has nothing to do with Bill Self and everything to do with phenomenal, Canadian genetics.
 

AllBall

All-American
May 5, 2015
4,912
6,455
93
If Young comes he comes. Great shooter but he may face some physical obstacles in college given his size and lack of strength. UK would be outsized on a daily basis with both in the backcourt.
Cal isn't gonna be caught scrambling. He has positioned us nicely to go into the spring signing period with several key players so recruiting focus can be on 3-4 remaining players.
We are going to need a major overhaul so I'd like to see Knox/Vanderbilt, Diallo, and Young. Oops and of course Bamba.
 
Last edited:

mjj_2K

All-American
Jul 11, 2010
12,582
7,254
113
If Young comes he comes. Great shooter but he may face some physical obstacles in college given his size and lack of strength. UK would be outsized on a daily basis with both in the backcourt.
Cal isn't gonna be caught scrambling. He has positioned us nicely to go into the spring signing period with several key players so recruiting focus can be on 3-4 remaining players.
We are going to need a major overhaul so I'd like to see Knox/Vanderbilt, Diallo, and Young. Oops and of course Bamba.
I have to think this is right. Quade Green is an excellent player. Maybe Young is a little bit better at this point, but Green not only brings himself, he has strong ties to Bamba and Diallo. With so many openings, it makes perfect sense to take Green first, and let Young decide what he wants to do after.

And honestly, it would be out of character for Cal to play a backcourt combo of Green and Young. Yeah, Cal's been more than willing to play 2 or even 3 PG types at one time, but there's always been size and athleticism involved. It seems likely that Diallo might be more of a priority now than Young, especially since Alexander, a guy being listed as a PG by a lot of people, is on board.

Green averaged a huge amount of assists in the Nike EYBL, and is clearly more of a passer/distributor than Young. If Young comes, he's going to be used as a shooter/scorer, and shooting is usually the easiest thing to find in the transfer market (especially the 4th year transfers, where you have 3 seasons of a guy's college career to show just how well he can really shoot). I think Young is 4th of the 4 big names UK is still clearly pursuing. UK's been on him long enough that if he wants to come, by all means, he can, but the other guys are higher priority.
 

caneintally

Heisman
Oct 1, 2002
27,455
17,056
0
Have little concern about NOT landing him. What is interesting to me is if we can land he and Diallo. Our guards sitiuation wouldn't miss a beat with Young/Green/Diallo/Alexander/Calipari
 
  • Like
Reactions: UKrazycat2_rivals

Untouchables22

All-Conference
Mar 5, 2013
2,359
3,129
0
And honestly, it would be out of character for Cal to play a backcourt combo of Green and Young. Yeah, Cal's been more than willing to play 2 or even 3 PG types at one time, but there's always been size and athleticism involved. It seems likely that Diallo might be more of a priority now than Young, especially since Alexander, a guy being listed as a PG by a lot of people, is on board.

Green averaged a huge amount of assists in the Nike EYBL, and is clearly more of a passer/distributor than Young. If Young comes, he's going to be used as a shooter/scorer, and shooting is usually the easiest thing to find in the transfer market (especially the 4th year transfers, where you have 3 seasons of a guy's college career to show just how well he can really shoot). I think Young is 4th of the 4 big names UK is still clearly pursuing. UK's been on him long enough that if he wants to come, by all means, he can, but the other guys are higher priority.

I think you make a great point what usually separates lower D 1 level teams like teams in the A-10 and Mountain West and the big guns? Talented Big men...across all levels of basketball are more rare then talented guards because there are so many more men in this country that are 6'0 to 6'4 then 6'5'-6'9 and then the 6'10 and up guys are basically unicorns. So we know we need two more guards for the team next year but if we can grab Bamba and then one of Vanderbilt or Knox for the wing we can find a talented transfer guard or a high school guard to re-classify like Humphries much easier then finding talented wings and big men because by the numbers there are just a ton more people playing basketball at a higher level that are shorter.
 

HipTer

Senior
Apr 11, 2012
1,127
921
113
I have no clue where we stand with Trae Young (outside of maybe CoachX11, who here would). But I believe the team has to have at least 2 more guards that can play (and I have not seen anything to suggest that Brad Calipari can ever play competitively at this level, he's at UK to learn to coach). I kind of like the idea that one of those would be a proven graduate transfer.

So, Young will have no worries about playing time; although based on reports of his and Green's games, it seems likely that his time will mainly be at 2G. Also, as many others have said, Cal's history should clearly signal to Young that he will not lose any prospect appeal by playing alongside Green as another PG. I would argue that this scenario may actually help Young's draft stock. It seems with NBA prospects the unknown is often overvalued, sometimes to the extent of wistful thinking. So, Young comes in and shows he can score; and the decision makers assume he'll be fine at the point in the league - whereas, if he actually played the point in college it may expose some weaknesses as a distributor for him at that position. Then again, maybe not. Maybe I'm just trying too hard to justify why Young should still pick UK.

Great post. The only difference in what I would have said, is that you said it better than I could have.
 
  • Like
Reactions: _Rooster
KSR

Latest

  1. 01 KSR Former Michigan State Forward Jaxon Kohler Emerges as Kentucky Target
  2. 02 KSR Will Levis Believes He's Still an NFL Starting Quarterback
  3. 03 KSR Did the NCAA Bait Congress Into Action with 5-for-5?
  4. 04 KSR 5-for-5: An Incomplete List of Athletes Pursuing Another Year of College Sports
  5. 05 KSR Rapid Reaction: NCAA Creates 5-for-5 Chaos