Kentucky Basketball: What to expect from the 2017 recruiting class

Jarred Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt signing on to play for Kentucky is what made Knox’s decision — made almost exactly a month later — so surprising. The two players are each 6’9 and around 210 pounds with remarkable scoring ceilings.

The main difference between the two is Knox’s superior speed and outside shooting. Vanderbilt’s highlights consist mainly of transition dunks and off-ball cuts to the rim, while Knox almost always has the ball in his hands at the beginning of the play.

Shooting may not be his strong suit, but Vanderbilt still showed his capacity as a ball-handler and shooter amongst high-level competition in games such as the Nike Hoop Summit and the Jordan Brand Classic.

Perhaps even more noteworthy, due to Kentucky’s obvious lack of need for scoring, is Vanderbilt’s passing ability. He is able to find teammates in transition after drawing the attention of opposing defenses — a skill that could set him apart from Kentucky’s other forwards.

Vanderbilt suffered a setback with 36 seconds left in the Jordan Brand Classic when he planted his right foot awkwardly while driving to the basket. The injury appeared serious, as evidenced by his immediate inability to stand up or put any weight on the foot. Recently though, his father stated that he is “feeling good” and “can’t wait” to report to UK for the upcoming season.

Vanderbilt is an undeniable difference-maker, and he would be especially fun to watch if he is given the opportunity to play alongside Knox. The two could create one of college basketball’s most interesting one-two punches, with Knox slipping by defenders and then dishing to a cutting Vanderbilt, or Vanderbilt throwing the ball up ahead for Knox in transition. Whether or not he is able to crack Kentucky’s starting five, Vanderbilt will cement himself as a 2018 lottery pick barring any injury-related complications.