Projected Starters
Ashton Hagans
Hagans returns with the most experience of any of the Wildcats. He started 30 of the 37 games last year and averaged 7.7 points per game. He shot just 27% from outside so unless he improves on that he probably won’t be much of a scoring threat. But if the other guys can step up and the freshman lives up to the hype Coach Calipari and company will just need him to be a great point guard. He led the team with 160 assists last year (100 more than the next player) and will need to be the floor general for the Wildcats. If he can cut back on his turnovers (94 last year), he has the potential to be the best point guard in the SEC.
Nate Sestina
Sestina comes over as a graduate transfer from Bucknell hoping to bring some experience and leadership to the young Wildcats. Last year he averaged 15.8 points per game with the Bison, but can that transfer over to Kentucky and the SEC. Graduate transfers have had mixed results, but the Wildcats hope that Sestina brings his scoring ability with him and can also provide an outside threat as he shot 38% from outside last year. If he can make the adjustment quickly he should be a huge key to Kentucky’s season.
Immanuel Quickley
Quickley showed some promise last year for the Wildcats scoring a little over five points a game in just 18 minutes a game. He proved that he could hit the outside shot as he shot about 34% in limited time. The Wildcats will need him to step into more of a scoring threat and if he can improve his shot from outside a little bit more he can be dangerous with Sestina and Brooks. He will probably be a starter to begin the season but will need to prove he belongs if he wants to stay there.
Keion Brooks Jr
Brooks, a Fort Wayne, Indiana native, is a highly-touted five-star recruit that chose Kentucky over Michigan State and North Carolina among others. He has good size at 6’7″ and is very good around the rim. He has improved his outside shooting in the past year and will look to help Kentucky stretch the opposing defenses. Brooks could be a big-time player for the Wildcats, but it is too be seen how quickly he can adjust to the college. He is just another in a long line of freshman powerhouses that Coach Calipari has brought to Lexington.
Nick Richards
Richards is a big body at 6’11” and 247, but he will need to be better this year as the Wildcats lack some size. He averaged four points in limited action last year, but Kentucky needs him to make that leap. If he doesn’t play well early he may not be starting for long if he even does start. This spot could easily be EJ Montgomery’s and either way it looks as the both will split time. Richards is not an outside threat, so he is definitely the guy the Wildcats need to be dominant inside.