Adou Thiero continues to impress the Kentucky coaching staff. (Chet White/UK Athletics Photo)
Remember a few weeks ago when Kentucky assistant coach Chin Coleman admitted he was surprised by freshman guard Adou Thiero’s play and how much better he was than the UK coach expected.
Thiero was a late arrival on UK’s recruiting radar but might turn out to be a huge steal for UK and coach John Calipari.
He has also “grown” in another major way. He was measured at 6-6 when he got to Kentucky in June but looks taller already and says doctors have told him he might reach 6-11. Combine that size with his athleticism and guard skills and he could turn out even better than Coleman believes he is now.
“Now I think everybody is seeing that,” Coleman said about his praise of Thiero after UK’s win in the Bahamas Thursday when he had 13 points, six rebounds, two assists and one blocked shot in 22 minutes after he had seven points, three assists, three blocks, two steals and one rebound in only 10 minutes the previous game. He was a combined 8-for-11 shooting in those games.
He averaged 6.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.7 assists in 14.3 minutes per game in the four exhibition games.
“He is a young kid. Like a deer in the headlights, he doesn’t know what he’s doing. He’s just trying so hard. He’s playing with a ton of energy, a ton of passion. He’s going to make mistakes,” Coleman said.
“But when you make mistakes — as long as your effort and energy is right — then you can make plays. So he’s making plays. I’m happy for him.”
Thiero missed practice time earlier this season for what assistant coach Orlando Antigua said was basically growing pains. That’s why he was not expected to play extensive minutes in the Bahamas.
Antigua said he was not sure if Calipari had ever had a more intriguing player with questions about his development who had started developing so quickly.
“He’s a kid that’s earned the right to be at Kentucky,” Antigua said. “Led his high school team to a championship game. So he’s been a part of winning. He’s got a great basketball tradition and family. And he’s a kid who’s grown up wanting to be at Kentucky. He’s living out his dream.
“We’re challenging him and pushing him. Every day, he’s going up against other really good players. And so you are forced to get better. And he’s doing that.”
7 Responses
Looks like he fits right in..could be a 6’10" ball handler at some point.. I would have to agree with the commentators of the Bahamas games, if you practice against these guys on this team it would be pretty hard to be intimidated by the opponents.. I was impressed, but if you read enough of people calling him a 4 year project without seeing him play its a little unfair .
He could turn into a huge recruiting steal/find
And don’t forget the one that just arrive on campus. weather he plays this year or not remain to be seen.
I like this kid He gonna be Relentless once he gets grounded
love his effort
This kid impressed me more than any other player in the Bahamas. You expect greatness out of Toppin, Oscar and others. This kid just came out of no where and made an immediate impact. If we all remember correctly Anthony Davis was a point guard in high school and look how he turned out. I think this kid has a little better shot that Davis does from 17′ and out. I think that if this kid stays healthy and hangs in there till his JR season he will be KY next number one pick.
Same here Aaron