Sophomore Adou Thiero blocked two shots Wednesday. (Vicky Graff Photo)
He’s not part of Kentucky’s No. 1 ranked recruiting class. He doesn’t have the experience of Antonio Reeves, last year’s second-leading scorer, or West Virginia transfer Tre Mitchell.
However, sophomore Adou Thiero certainly showed Tuesday during Team USA’s 81-73 win over Germany at the GLOBAL Jam in Toronto.
“I’m going to be able to evaluate Adou. If he rebounds the way he does. He’s gotta be on the court,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said after the win.
Thiero was a stat-stuffer and constant energizer. He finished the game with nine points on 3-for-5 shooting from the field and 3-for-5 at the foul line but also had seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, two blocks and two drawn charges.
Kentucky Radio Network analyst Jack Givens, a former UK All-American, named Thiero the defender of the game for what he did in his 32 minutes.
“He played his rear end off. He was a very aggressive rebounding, scrambling and knocking bodies around and disrupting what Germany wanted to do,” Givens said.
Calipari had noted before the trip that Thiero had put on weight and muscle but he also played with even more confidence. The Kentucky coach noted.
“He is so much better, so much more aggressive, so much more committed to the game, which has made him more confident,” Calipari said after the win. “He made the plays in the moment to rebound balls. He missed one on a free throw, but the other two, he made, he willed himself.”
Mitchell had 20 points (he hit four 3’s), six rebounds and three assists in 34 minutes but liked There’s work ethic during the win.
“He’s willing to do whatever it takes, whether that be to be on the court to make a play,” Mitchell said. “You saw it in big moments again. He skied and got rebounds.
“At the end of the first half, he went up there and pinned that thing on the top of the backboard. I don’t even know where he came from and I was on defense. I was just like, ‘Whoa.’
“He brings a lot of elements to this team and his physicality and his athleticism. There are not many to compare to that.”
No there are not on this Kentucky team and that athleticism/toughness could be invaluable on a team that could score a lot of points but still needs defenders/rebounders.
“He’s a great player, a hard worker and it showed today,” freshman DJ Wagner, who had 16 points and six assists, said about Thiero. “He was on every rebound playing really hard and making good plays.
“So he is definitely a great player and that’s another one who was here before, so he definitely has been showing us the ropes and just showing us the ins and outs.”
4 Responses
When he plays with that energy, it will be hard to keep him off the floor. He doesn’t take bad shots, he doesn’t hang his head, he doesn’t worry about the last the play, he just plays, and plays hard. He may just end up being the all around fan favorite this year, not everyone’s #1 favorite, but everyone’s #2 favorite!!
Thiero showed defensive ability last year in his limited role. He has matured (imagine that with a UK player in these days) and is ready to contribute.
I thought he, Reeves, and Mitchell led the way with the game yesterday. I liked Reed’s defense and his overall floor game which showed a very high basketball IQ. I think Wagner is the real deal, and I believe Edwards will probably be. I was not impressed by Dillingham
I liked the 80+ possession pace, and I really like the shot selection even though the players missed more open looks than I believe they will as they gets their game together.
I liked the team defensive effort, and as noted elsewhere, Thiero and Reed were individually notable.
Tonight’s game will be challenging, and a different type of opponent that won’t live or die at the 3 point arc like Germany tried to do yesterday.
I remember a lot of complaints when Cal took Thiero. Cal shouldn’t be giving charity scholarships to 3* kids of former players. Thiero is going to be a star in college AND the NBA. Of course Cal has nothing to do with a players development.
Jimmy I love your sarcasim! Glad to see the the sky is not falling! ! I also remember when we were dropped from the Way To Early top 25. It was like the world was coming to an end. Cal this Cal can’t that, why are players leaving, the program is in trouble ect all! ! Funny how we made it back firmly in at #17 over a week ago but no mention of it anywhere! ! I guess good news about the Cats is not click bate enough(I have been on vacation I could have missed it). 🙂
Comments are closed.