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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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Ashton Hagans
LEXINGTON, KY – NOVEMBER 28: John Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats gives instructions to Ashton Hagans #2 against the Monmouth Hawks at Rupp Arena on November 28, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Elite Defense

John Calipari’s best guards have all been defensively elite. Wall, Fox, Ulis, even Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showed some defensive prowess during his time at Kentucky. Hagans was sold to UK fans as a defensive-minded guard. Over the course of the season, he showed that he could keep up with the best and most experienced guards in the country. Kentucky Wildcats legend, Rex Chapman, believes Hagans defensive potential may transcend more than the John Calipari era:

There is cause for Rex Chapman’s praise. Hagans went on a seven-game streak having three or more steals. That streak was highlighted by a career-high 8 steal performance against North Carolina at the CBS Classic, an 18 point, 5 assists, 5 steal performance against Texas A&M, and a career-high 23 points, 4 steals, 4 assists, and 5 rebound game against his home state school, Georgia. He averaged 2.3 turnovers in those three contests.

At one point in the season, Hagans was being considered a late first-round pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. His play eventually tapered out and he was not considered a draft pick this year. If he continues to show out on defense, it will be hard for some teams to not take a chance on him in the league next season.

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