Hmmm. Interesting Comment from Marques Bolden

[prossdog_rivals]

It seems to me, Bolden is a lower ceiling, but more polished at the moment type of player. I'd prefer Giles or Bam too, but if we miss, I'd be happy to take him. Kinda like Simmons if we miss on Monk & Fox.

 

[Mark Gastineau]

Parsing the words of 18 year olds is extremely tedious business. However reading his statement I think the fairest reading of what he meant was that he has now been to visit all of his top options: Duke, Kentucky, Kansas and Alabama. He has all the knowledge and experiences needed now to make comparison's between the schools and choose the right situation for him. I believe just a week ago he stated that the recruiting process was beginning to wear him out. So frankly now that he has been to everywhere I think he wants to make his decision and not postpone it by taking extra visits to schools.

I totally agree with this take. He's already taken all of his official visits, and those unofficial visits could be pricey because of plane tickets (especially if he tries to visit Lexington and Durham in the same weekend on short notice).

 

[kentucky_wildcat_#1]

With this thread title, before clicking, i thought surely this thread is a joke. Why wouldn't we be recruiting a 5 star center? I'm pretty sure the kid has talent or Cal wouldn't be wasting time recruiting him. We have the best recruiter in the game. There might be others in the class at his spot that we would all rather have, but if Cal is recruiting this kid, he has talent. It's not like Cal recruits scrubs.

 

[kentucky_wildcat_#1]

If we're talking about playing time, KU makes a lot of sense. He will have lots of playing time at KU. With the way KU is recruiting lately, he will probably start at center from day 1. If we're talking NBA and millions of dollars, KU doesn't make as much sense.

 

[UKCAT5FAN]

If Cal gets him on campus we will get him. I mean come on....how is an elite big man going to pick Kansas over Kentucky?? Just completely irrational, there's gotta be enough intelligence around him to help him see the obvious.

No offense but a visit doesn't guarantee a thing. It's not like KU isn't an elite school. All depends on what is important to Bolden. Each school offer different perks and KU may be what Bolden is looking for. No worries, there are others if he decides on KU.

 

[ToniTonyToneDelkDelkDelk]

- SKJ is a leaner kid and probably more of a 4 as opposed to a 5.'
- I think UK is wanting Giles/Bam but apparently can't get into the favorite seat for either...so moving onto Bolden is the idea.
- Humphries will be his main competition as a true 5...I'm fine with it

Bolden isn't exceptionally big or physical though. That's my thing

 

[ToniTonyToneDelkDelkDelk]

Not sure .. doesn't seem like a great match. Of course, there's always the "In cal we trust" take.

Exactly. He's not physical like Dakari. And doesn't seem to have a great motor. Reminds me a lot like Randolph Morris but without the jumper.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Because Kentucky fans love basketball? He's a top20 recruit, it's always worth following where these guys go. And it's not just "us or everyone else". In order of importance:

1. Kentucky.
2. A mid-major or lower program.
3. A big conference program
5. An SEC program.
6. A grouping of schools with Kansas, Duke, UofL, UNC, etc.

 

[gracetoyou]

Bolden isn't exceptionally big or physical though. That's my thing

He's the #1 center in the class. Maybe you don't get it OP

 

[akaukswoosh]

Bolden aint that guy. Let Duke or Kansas get him.

Use a phrase you would have never heard during the Tubby Smith tenure.

 

[Cat Ballou]

I totally agree with this take. He's already taken all of his official visits, and those unofficial visits could be pricey because of plane tickets (especially if he tries to visit Lexington and Durham in the same weekend on short notice).

Just wanted to third this. Guy has finished up his OVs and has enough info now to make a decision. That's really all that can be taken from this.

 

[Cat Ballou]

I think the intriguing thing about Bolden is that he is a big that already has a refined post game. That's not a luxury Cal usually has right away - Davis, Towns, Skal, all were bigs who came in needing a lot if work in this area, and as a result it took a while for our offense to develop.

If we got Bolden, Cal could instead focus on improving his defense - which is what he needs the most work on, but our offense overall would ahead of where we typically are to begin the season. Pair that with Humphries, Fox, Monk, Gabriel, SKJ, and you've got a really good offensive team, weaker defensive team. Probably very reminiscent of last year's Duke team.

 

[pharm727]

I hope you're trolling OP, because what you are saying makes no sense. There is a reason KU, Duke and almost every school wants him. He is rated the #1 center prospect in this class.

 

[caneintally]

I hope you're trolling OP, because what you are saying makes no sense. There is a reason KU, Duke and almost every school wants him. He is rated the #1 center prospect in this class.

Yeah there is zero chance the OP wasn't trolling . Just too dumb of post.

 

[ToniTonyToneDelkDelkDelk]

Lol.. Y'all really stay stuck on ratings and stars.
"But...But he's the #1 rated Center in the class."

You guys can't spend all this time talking UK hoops and be that simple.

Skill set, fit, and style of play are more important.

What was WCS ranking? He just went lotto.

The kid plays soft. Has a weaker base than KAT without the overall size of KAT or Skill set.

Like I said, I'd much rather wait on the "possibility" Ayton reclassifies than get Bolden.

 

[Stonewall12]

Honestly, I don't think UK or Duke are going to lose any sleep over Bolden. Either would love to have him, and I think he would eventually do good things after a few years of working with Payne, but I'm not particularly sad about this news because nothing about his skill set or athleticism is overly impressive.

Kansas has available PT and exposure. It makes sense for him, and I wouldn't blame him for any choice he makes. It's kind of hard to go wrong if you're choosing between UK, Duke, and Kansas.

I will not lose any sleep that is for sure.

 

[Bodvar Bjarki]

It's kind of hard to go wrong if you're choosing between UK, Duke, and Kansas.

Sorry to disagree with you but I think there is a HUGE provable difference between those three. Duke is very questionable on how well they prepare players to succeed defensively in the NBA and Kansas/Self have killed more than a few promising careers.

If you are the best of the best then you are taking a gamble if you do not come to UK.

 

[jarms24]

Have we heard from our ku buddy lately? Wonder if he's hearing anything.

 

[doneitall]

Sorry to disagree with you but I think there is a HUGE provable difference between those three. Duke is very questionable on how well they prepare players to succeed defensively in the NBA and Kansas/Self have killed more than a few promising careers.

If you are the best of the best then you are taking a gamble if you do not come to UK.

I agree totally, good post

 

[Tummygoat]

He is not attending BBM. If he were coming to UK or on the fence, he would be excited to go. He's a Jayhawk. Really thought he was big blue. Kansas isn't going to whiff on all their recruits after all.

 

[mjj_2K]

He is not attending BBM. If he were coming to UK or on the fence, he would be excited to go. He's a Jayhawk. Really thought he was big blue. Kansas isn't going to whiff on all their recruits after all.

If so, I have to wonder if Humphries scared him off. No one was really taking Humphries all that seriously, but the NBA scouts liked what they saw at the combine. In other words, it's distinctly possible that UK has already signed the top center in the 2016 class, just a year early. Which is not a bad thing.

And honestly, though Bolden is nothing to sneeze at, with Humphries, Wynyard, SKJ and Gabriel already in the fold, and with the possibility of Marcus Lee still being around, I'd probably prefer that UK wait until we know for sure where Giles and Adebayo are going to end up before signing any more big guys.

 

[Untouchables22]

Also I think it's important to consider Ayton for next year. Humphries will without a doubt be here next year and if Bolden is not a OAD then we would already have two centers which could turn Ayton off from UK. Recruiting is a game of hyperbole but the articles I read about Ayton talk about him as the best Center prospect since Greg Oden and UK is if not his perceived leader in his top three right now. Bolden is a nice player but I don't want him if it costs us Ayton next year. Adebayo, Allen, and Giles are all PF's so they aren't as likely to scare off Ayton as a Bolden and Humphries logjam at Center next year might.