Kentucky signees give UK fans even more reasons to be optimistic about next year

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If you are a Kentucky basketball fan banking on John Calipari’s No. 1 recruiting class putting the Cats back in the national championship hunt in 2024, then you really had to like what happened at the McDonald’s All-American Game in Houston Tuesday night.

Four UK signees — DJ Wagner, Aaron Bradshaw, Justin Edwards and Reed Sheppard — all played in the game and all did things that should make UK fans even more excited for next season.

Now remember this weekend’s Final Four does not have one McDonald’s All-American participating and recruiting rankings don’t always translate to postseason success as UK fans have learned the hard way the last three years. However, it was not just the way these four players performed in Houston but how you could see them blending together next season.

— Wagner was the game’s co-most valuable player, the first UK player to earn that honor since Michael Kidd-Gilchrist in 2011. His team that included Bradshaw and Edwards also won the game 109-106.

“It just feels great. To be able to be MVP that’s an honor in itself,” Wagner said on ESPN after the game. “Just rocking this jersey, McDonald’s All-American, it’s just fun. It’s a great feeling.”

He did not score in the first half but had 19 points in the second half when he made three 3-pointers from deep and both free throws with 8.7 seconds to play  to seal the win. He also had three assists, two steals and two rebounds to showcase his versatility.

He’s been in the spotlight so long because his father, Dajuan, and grandfather, Milt, both played in this game and were both there along with his brother, UK walk-on Kareen Watkins. However, he shined on the big stage and that’s important.

— Bradshaw is a 7-1 athlete with rare skills but I loved that he earned the McDonald’s Jack Daly All-American Sportsmanship Award.

“It’s a blessing,” Bradshaw said about the award. “I feel like I work hard for it. Being a good person.”

Being a good person makes for a good teammate but he also came off the bench to score 18 points on 4-for-9 shooting from the field and 10-for-13 at the foul line. He also had eight rebounds, including six on offense.

He talked Monday about being the “new big” who could step outside and play and made a 3-pointer almost immediately after he got in the game. However, I liked that he went to the offensive glass and he got to the foul line where he made shots. A 7-footer shooting 3’s is okay but a 7-footer who rebounds, gets fouled and makes free throws is a must in John Calipari’s offense.

— Edwards could still turn out to be the best freshman not only at UK but in the nation next year. He had a smooth 11 points on 5-for-9 shooting and I liked that he did not force anything. He also had five rebounds, two assists and two steals. 

He scored on an offensive rebound, a 3-pointer and a steal in transition. Whatever a team needs, he can do.

— Sheppard did not figure to shine in an all-star game with his team-oriented play but it was still clear he’s a big-time player. He took only three shots and made two. He had four rebounds, three assists and two steals in a typical stat-stuffing game for him.

He drove inside to score his first basket and also scored a transition dunk after a steal where he showcased his leaping ability. Sheppard, who was second in the 3-point shooting contest Monday, also had a couple of nifty passes just like he normally does.

Combine what all four did and it’s going to be hard for UK fans not to already be looking ahead to next season.