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Kentucky Basketball: Projecting Wildcats’ starters and bench for 2017-18

By Taylor Sturm

KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 24: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts in the first half of the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 24, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - JANUARY 24: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts in the first half of the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena on January 24, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 17: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts during the game against the Northern Kentucky Norse during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 17, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 17: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts during the game against the Northern Kentucky Norse during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 17, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Center

The lone “true” center on the Kentucky Wildcats’ roster is five-star freshman Nick Richards.

The 7’0, 239-pound center from New York was listed as the No. 2 center in the Class of 2017 by 247 Sports and the No. 17 overall player by Rivals. His potential is seemingly unlimited, as he boasts the size and skillset to be a dominant player in both college basketball and at the next level.

Currently projected to go in the NBA Draft lottery, Richards could find himself a top 10 pick with a strong 2017-18 campaign. His size will make him highly coveted at the next level, and Coach Cal knows how to turn a big-man into an NBA success, as DeMarcus Cousins, Skal Labissierre, and Willie Cauley-Stein are all currently performing well in the NBA.

Richards should be the in-and-out starter at the five throughout the whole season but could find his minutes somewhat limited when the Wildcats decide to go small. There are several SEC teams that will play small next season, meaning that Richards could be replaced in the lineup for periods of time by another small or power forward.

I fully expect Richards to average a double-double in 2017-18, and I cannot wait to see what this player can do when paired alongside players like Kevin Knox, Hamidou Diallo, and Quade Green.

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