Kahlil Whitney

[Cowtown Cat]

2 things.

1, I dont think anyone is necessarily saying hes MKG 2.0. But looking at him physically, how he moves, how he attacks the basket in transition, I wouldn't be shocked if one of his idols growing up was MKG. He looks like he could physically be related to him and/or trained by him. At 6'7/6'8 with a long lean yet powerful build to go with incredible agility and leaping ability whos smooth enough to play the 3 but athletic and big and strong enough to be a small ball 4. That's a lot like our MKG. He's not a clone, but hes got a ton of similarities except Whitney has a more advanced shooting game than MKG possessed at the same stage and dare I say betted than MKG has currently. Until proven otherwise, Id say hes a poor man MKG and be confident in that. I could also compare him to Kahwi Leonard.

2, I dont rememebr MKG being mind blowingly good with his handles. I remember he was a true 3 who could handle the rock and drive to the basket with the best of them, but I have 0 confidence that he was a better ball handler than Wall, Ulis, Murray or Fox. Definitely the best forward ball handler weve ever had. But weve had several guards who were literally magicians with the ball in their hands, especially Wall. Knight was no slouch either.

Kawhi Leonard is a great comparison IMO. Also, you left one out of the magicians: Ulis.

 

[ChicagoCat90]

Great athleticism and great form on the jumper. You can never guarantee it will translate to high percentage shooting but it definitely doesn't hurt.

 

[3kidsandme]

He did that with very little effort lol. Must be nice to be 6"6 with 40 inch vertical. Have a feeling Whitney will be the top guy next year.

 

[GonzoCat90]

2 things.

1, I dont think anyone is necessarily saying hes MKG 2.0. But looking at him physically, how he moves, how he attacks the basket in transition, I wouldn't be shocked if one of his idols growing up was MKG. He looks like he could physically be related to him and/or trained by him. At 6'7/6'8 with a long lean yet powerful build to go with incredible agility and leaping ability whos smooth enough to play the 3 but athletic and big and strong enough to be a small ball 4. That's a lot like our MKG. He's not a clone, but hes got a ton of similarities except Whitney has a more advanced shooting game than MKG possessed at the same stage and dare I say betted than MKG has currently. Until proven otherwise, Id say hes a poor man MKG and be confident in that. I could also compare him to Kahwi Leonard.

2, I dont rememebr MKG being mind blowingly good with his handles. I remember he was a true 3 who could handle the rock and drive to the basket with the best of them, but I have 0 confidence that he was a better ball handler than Wall, Ulis, Murray or Fox. Definitely the best forward ball handler weve ever had. But weve had several guards who were literally magicians with the ball in their hands, especially Wall. Knight was no slouch either.

I definitely understand the comparisons, same position and all that. And he's damn good in his own right.

On your second point, I'm talking more about functional handles, like getting to the rim or going by a defender. He's not Kyrie or breaking ankles necessarily, but more in a James Harden or Giannis way.

He couldn't shoot at all and averaged like 12 points on the most balanced scoring title team I can remember. Granted, some of that was transition or second chance points, but we had a lot of guys gobbling up both of those areas too.

As much as anything, having MKG, Jones and Darius who could create and attack from the forward spots made us great.

 

[IndyCat1995]

Dude has the same hair as Romeo Langford lol

 

[Catzman]

Kawhi Leonard is a great comparison IMO. Also, you left one out of the magicians: Ulis.

Check again I think I put him in there. If I didnt, youre right. Low center of gravity with a tight handle and 0 fear. One of my favorite Cats ever.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Check again I think I put him in there. If I didnt, youre right. Low center of gravity with a tight handle and 0 fear. One of my favorite Cats ever.

My bad, you did. Lol

 

[Catzman]

He did that with very little effort lol. Must be nice to be 6"6 with 40 inch vertical. Have a feeling Whitney will be the top guy next year.

What if I told you he measured just shy of 6'8 back in August? Basically PJs height. Dangerous.

 

[JayCatz44]

Whitney will be a top 5 talent next year for Kentucky.

 

[BlueBloodKyFan73]

STUD!!!

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

Whitney is taller, longer, much more skilled, and by all accounts rivals MKG’s on court intensity.

We all love MKG but he’s been a massive NBA bust and it’s not a stretch to say we have an incoming recruit that’s better than he was.

MKG in college was an animal. If this kid comes close to that or is equal or better, I'll take that every day.

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

People forget how great MKG was. He might have had the best handle of anyone to play here in Cal's tenure, was the best layup finisher we've had, and could guard 4-5 positions at an all American level.

I'm psyched for Kahlil Whitney, and he can be All SEC and a lottery pick, but slow down.

Also, MKG was the leader of that team. He started the Breakfast Club. Was tenacious on defense. UK doesn't win the title without imo. He was the heartbeat of that team.

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

This times a million. MKG brought it every single night. He did everything he was asked to do. He was the most unstoppable fast break player Calipari has had. When you combine his dribbling along with his ability to finish... Watch out. I'm not an old timer; I've been watching UK for 30 years and he's my favorite player to ever play here. You stick him on every other single Calipari team and that team wins at least 1-2 more tournament games.

To me, he is the reason UK won that title. I know AD was out of this world and deserved every award he got. That is without question. But MKG was the leader of that team.
Best fast break finisher I've seen at UK. He was a junkyard dog that was the enforcer for that team.

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

My vibe comment comes from feeling he has the same kind of intensity and will to win. Not necessarily talking about their game or skills.

 

[3kidsandme]

What if I told you he measured just shy of 6'8 back in August? Basically PJs height. Dangerous.

Yea he's nasty. If he can bring that 38 percent 3 ball to college oh boy

 

[STL_Cat]

Whitney is taller, longer, much more skilled, and by all accounts rivals MKG’s on court intensity.

We all love MKG but he’s been a massive NBA bust and it’s not a stretch to say we have an incoming recruit that’s better than he was.

How much of an NBA bust MKG has been is inconsequential. Dude was GREAT in college.

 

[hotelblue]

MKG with a lot more O.

this is how i compare him. mkg in more of a sg frame. a slasher and aggressive finisher. should be awesome on the college level.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Whitney is taller, longer, much more skilled, and by all accounts rivals MKG’s on court intensity.

We all love MKG but he’s been a massive NBA bust and it’s not a stretch to say we have an incoming recruit that’s better than he was.

We are talking college good not NBA potential. MKG was as good of college player as there is.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

How much of an NBA bust MKG has been is inconsequential. Dude was GREAT in college.

Plus anyone who will play in the league for 10 years or more is not a bust. He didn't become a star but that's a long career and shows how good he is not being able to shoot!