Kentucky Basketball: What to expect from the 2017 recruiting class

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Quite possibly the most talented recruit out of Canada (if it isn’t VT signee Nickeil Alexander-Walker), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a 6-6 combo guard that ran the point for his high school team.

While there are three other guards in his recruiting class, Gilgeous-Alexander is unique due to his size.

His game is like a blend of Kevin Knox’s and Quade Green’s. In transition, he blows by defenders and gets up for smooth finishes and dunks. In settled offensive scenarios he can penetrate and kick out, become a serious mismatch down low, or take advantage of open looks from the perimeter off the catch-and-shoot.

Even with ball-handlers like Jalek Felton and Trevon Duval in his class, both of whom are guards who can distribute, hit from distance, and play above the rim, Gilgeous-Alexander looks to be the most versatile guard in the class of 2017.

As a senior, he averaged 18.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. What’s even more noteworthy is that he managed to hit over 50% of his shots for the season.

While Gilgeous-Alexander’s unique skill-set and build earned him recognition, it appears to be working against him in terms of seeing the court in his freshman season.

With prototypical guards such as Green, Diallo, and undeniable next-level talent in Knox and Vanderbilt, it’s hard to see where he will fit in.

And that’s not even considering the returners from a season ago, like Killeya-Jones and Gabriel.

This is exactly where having too many weapons starts to work against Kentucky. Gilgeous-Alexander very well may be forced to ride the bench despite being one of the best young talents in the game today. Gilgeous-Alexander’s best chance to earn playing time may come from his defensive efforts. With his height and 6’10 wingspan, he has the ability to shut down the game’s elite Guards. At the very least he will push Kentucky’s other guards to unprecedented levels of offensive efficiency.