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Kentucky Basketball: Can Ashton Hagans become one of Calipari’s best point guards?

By Jonathan Howard

LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - JANUARY 26: John Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats gives instructions to Ashton Hagans #2 against the Kansas Jayhawks at Rupp Arena on January 26, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY - JANUARY 26: John Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats gives instructions to Ashton Hagans #2 against the Kansas Jayhawks at Rupp Arena on January 26, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – FEBRUARY 16: Ashton Hagans #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates against Tennessee Volunteers at Rupp Arena on February 16, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – FEBRUARY 16: Ashton Hagans #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates against Tennessee Volunteers at Rupp Arena on February 16, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Ashton Hagans is entering his sophomore year at Kentucky Basketball, something Calipari point guards rarely do. How does Hagans stack up to other Calipari point guards?

Kentucky Basketball has had some great guards under Coach John Calipari. As he enters his 11th season at the helm, he brings with him an experienced point guard in sophomore Ashton Hagans. The last Calipari point guard to spend two seasons at Kentucky was Tyler Ulis. SEC POY, SEC DPOY, All-American, Bob Cousy Award, and had a career-high of 30 points and 14 assists in his sophomore campaign.

Calipari also returned his point guard after the Harrison twins decided to come back for a second season. They helped lead the Wildcats to a 38-1 record and an undefeated regular season. Calipari does very well when he can bring in an experienced guard to run the offense and be a pitbull on defense. That is what he is getting with the return of Hagans.

In his freshman campaign, Hagans found himself leading a team with a lot of experience down low in the post. Sophomores Nick Richards and PJ Washington played alongside grad transfer Reid Travis, but the backcourt did not have as much experience. Immanuel Quickley and Ashton Hagans took over the lead guard duties and performed well. In just over 28 minutes a game Hagans averaged 7.7 points, 4.3 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, and earned himself Co-SEC DPOY alongside guard Tremont Waters of LSU.

He fits the Tyler Ulis style of play at a bigger size but does not shoot the ball as well. Let’s break down what aspects of his game are going to transcend him into a fan favorite and one of the top-4 Calipari point guards at Kentucky.

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