Busting Brackets
Fansided

Kentucky Basketball: What to expect from the 2017 recruiting class

By Stuart Gill

Mar 29, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonald's High School All-American players Nicholas Richards (4) and Jarred Vanderbilt and Quade Green (0) and PJ Washington Jr. who will all be attending the University of Kentucky in the fall of 2017 pose for a group photo before the 40th Annual McDonald's High School All-American Game at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonald's High School All-American players Nicholas Richards (4) and Jarred Vanderbilt and Quade Green (0) and PJ Washington Jr. who will all be attending the University of Kentucky in the fall of 2017 pose for a group photo before the 40th Annual McDonald's High School All-American Game at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 10
Next
Dec 21, 2016; Ft. Meyers, FL, USA; Patrick School Celtics center Nick Richards (23) attempts a lay up around IMG Academy Ascenders forward Emmitt Williams (5) during the second half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; Ft. Meyers, FL, USA; Patrick School Celtics center Nick Richards (23) attempts a lay up around IMG Academy Ascenders forward Emmitt Williams (5) during the second half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Nick Richards

Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, Nick Richards quickly established himself as one of the nation’s top centers while playing his high school ball at The Patrick School in New Jersey.

He is unstoppable in the paint due to his height (7-0) and remarkable wingspan (7-3) — both of which allow him to rise above everyone else on the court for dunks and putback lay-ins. He has a quickness that is rare for centers, which allows him to find success in the pick-and-role.

His physical tools also allow him to excel defensively. He averaged 3.4 blocks per 40 minutes in his senior season and showcased the ability to guard both the power forward and center positions.

Jonathan Givony and Mike Schmitz of DraftExpress.com compare Richards to former Wildcat Willie Cauley-Stein. Now playing for the Sacramento Kings, Cauley-Stein is still known for his ability to stick with quick players and come away with impressive blocks. If Richards is able to develop on both ends of the court while improving his decision-making, Givony and Schmitz predict he can become the same kind of player for the Wildcats next season.

If Richards is able to develop on both ends of the court while improving his decision-making, Givony and Schmitz predict he can become the same kind of player for the Wildcats next season.

Richards appears to have the fewest number of obstacles in his path to becoming a starter at Kentucky compared to the rest of the Freshmen Class.

There was nobody listed as a center on last year’s roster; although, Edrice Adebayo and seven-footer Isaac Humphries certainly played the five throughout the year. With both of those players pursuing professional careers, Richards is poised to patrol the paint next year barring major injury.

He is not yet as offensively-skilled as the well-known Kentucky bigs of recent history, such as DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis. Nevertheless, Richards will be selected in the first round of the 2018 Draft if he continues to use his physical tools to his advantage and develop his scoring abilities.

Home/Kentucky Wildcats