Vicky Graff Photo
Remember before the season started and Kentucky coach John Calipari predicted that sophomore Adou Thiero would have a “huge impact on college basketball” because of his versatility.
Now Calipari is focusing on a specific role for his 6-8 sophomore.
“The role I have been talking to Adou about is ‘be a finisher’, Whether it’s a jump shot or a drive for a basket,” Calipari said. “He’s strong. He literally could be one of the best finishers in the country.”
Best finisher in the country is high praise/pressure for Thiero but assistant coach Orlando Antigua pointed out last week that Thiero is still a “growing man” who should keep getting better.
“It’s scary to think that he’s still growing. He’s still shaping his body. He’s been blessed with some genetic genes that none of us had anything to do with. He just has to work it and he’s been doing it,” Antigua said.
“We’re going to be asking a lot of him as someone now that has to step up and play multiple positions, a guy that can play one through five if you needed him to.”
Calipari said Thiero doesn’t have to be a “play starter” with guards like D.J. Wagner, Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard on the team.
“Adou being that finisher for us, he’s good,” Calipari said.
Former Kentucky All-American Jack Givens knows Thiero has gotten better since last season based on what he’s seen in practice.
“He has got stronger. He is not going to have a lot of plays called for him. He has to go get his points and he likes to score,” Givens, the UK Radio Network analyst, said. “Getting rebounds, run-outs, bringing the ball up the floor himself and scoring… he is capable of doing all that and really helping this team.”
Thiero left the win over New Mexico State with what Calipari called a “headache.” There has been no update on his status for tonight’s game against Texas A&M Commerce.
