National writer says elite recruits still very high on John Calipari

BJ Boston did not meet expectations his one year at UK but had a successful rookie season in the NBA. (Photo by Vicky Graff)

What impact did losing to St. Peter’s in the NCAA Tournament have on the perception of Kentucky basketball to elite recruits?

What impact has Shaedon Sharpe enrolling early at UK, not playing in a game and now leaving for the NBA had on Kentucky’s image with elite recruits?

As far as Yahoo/Rivals basketball writer Krysten Peek can tell, nothing has changed.

“Honestly, I have not heard anything good or bad. It just seems like business as usual,” Peek said. “(Assistant coach) Jai Lucas leaving was a sour patch but I have seen (UK coach John) Calipari out recruiting and seemed the same as always from what I saw and heard.”

Peek talks to a lot of players and their families. She said “nobody” is down on Kentucky basketball.

“Kids I talk to are very high on Calipari,” Peek said. “He gets players to the league (NBA). That’s how you get five-star, high quality players to Kentucky is that pedigree.”

One of those players was BJ Boston, but UK went only 9-16 during the 2020-21 season — Boston’s only year with the Cats. He was not the star many thought he would be but he still left for the NBA. He was a second-round draft choice.

Boston, age 20,  earned a spot with the Los Angeles Clippers and averaged 6.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game. He also had several high scoring games that garnered him national attention.

“His game is more suitable to the NBA with the spacing and freedom to create for himself compared to Kentucky,” Peek said. “The Clippers were the perfect fit for him even if he did not get guaranteed money.”

“His support system is all out there close to him. He has a great upside and I think he is going to be a long-time pro and elite recruits see that he went to Kentucky and now is doing that even if he was not a first-round pick.”