Tulane's Kam Williams, a 41 percent shooter from 3-point range, was the first transfer to commit to UK this season. (Full Frame Action Photo)
Because Kentucky is “very slanted toward a pro-style” offense with a lot of ball movement it is easier in a lot of ways for coach Mark Pope to find players that fit his system the best in the transfer portal.
“They actually have the skill sets that translate to what we do. There are some advantages, some real, substantial advantages to recruiting guys out of the portal,” Pope said.
During an appearance on The Jim Rome Show, he said he was also “intentional about recruiting great human beings” like he had on this year’s team.
“Every single one of them can see something more important than themselves in the world, right? Every single one of them has been really intentional about getting to know their teammates and loving them and fighting for them and playing for them,” Pope told Rome. “It’s what our guys have done, working to build bonds with each other. That’s given us a chance to withstand all the adversity that we’ve faced during the course of the season.”
Pope has already been active in the transfer portal with the commitment from Tulane freshman Kam Williams, a 6-8, 190-pound forward who averaged 9.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.0 blocks and 32 minutes per game while starting 28 games last season. He also shot 41 percent from 3-point range.
Williams told ESPN he also considered Florida, Louisville, Baylor, Texas, LSU, Texas Tech, Arkansas and USC but he picked UK without even making a visit to Kentucky.
College basketball analytics guru Evan Miyakawa (EvanMiya.com) says one thing jumps out at him about Williams.
“He’s probably a good knockdown shooter but for playing so many minutes at Tulane, he didn’t shoot that much and barely scored,” Miyakawa said.
Kentucky added eight transfers last season and Miyakawa warned that every one of those players except Almonor was ranked higher in his transfer portal database than Williams is this year.
“If UK is getting Kam Williams to be a valuable rotation piece then I think it is a pretty decent addition. But if the hope is that Williams will be a top three or four player on the team, I’m not as sure about that fit,” Miyakawa said.
Briscoe, a long-time basketball recruiting analyst/evaluator, is also from Louisiana and has known Williams and his family for years.
“He will put on weight after he gets to UK. He can play two guard if needed. He is a stretch wing who can really shoot the 3. His defense will need work and it will get a lot better,” Briscoe said. “He has a very high basketball IQ and I think he’ll do great at Kentucky.”
19 Responses
Welcome Cam
He will be a good rotational guy in year 1. I’m expecting him to really take off in year 2. He will be a 7-9 ppg type of guy this year with not nearly as many minutes. Pope will give him the green light and make his confidence much better. With his shooting touch I think he can be a 43-44% type of 3 point specialist. I definitely see him improving on a already great 41%. He’s long so he will cause mismatch problems the way he runs very fluid for a guy that’s 6’8". I think Oweh starts at the 3 and there will be a battle for the 2 between Johnson and Chandler so far. Unless we add a Premier shooting guard which I would love to see. One thing you can’t have is too many go to guys because then that’s when the chemistry hits a decline because everyone wants to score. Williams is a excellent addition and Lowe will be much better in year 3 of college ball compared to year 2. I see him improving the way Oweh did but his average is higher than Owehs was but he played way more minutes.
Ky needs starters. Not projects. Transfers are not for the future. There is no guarantee a player will even stay for another year. Pope needs to hit some home runs. The Cats need some older, mean, big body dudes in order to compete with all the thugs in the SEC. If all the starters are compiled from the current roster, it will be a Long season next year. Oweh will have to play Super Hero Ball and it won’t be enough.
Where’s the BEEF?
Dioubate was a good get if they play him at the 3. We still need a couple of 4s and at least one more 5, two would be better.
Still hearing will get the big guy from Robert Morris as right now he’s in Spain and will make the decision when gets back in the states
Jimmy and Barry put all your fears away cats just got another biggie Jaylan Quauntence from Arizona St. Once was going be a cat until Cal left. Now he’s back were he wanted to go begin with. This makes the cats has one of top transfer class in the country. Time is the process not panic
Ok 79, take off your rose colored glasses for a minute. Quaintance is still recovering from a torn ACL injury. His dad said he would be cleared to play by September, but that might not be the case. Even so, he will miss the Summer workouts and conditioning. ACL injuries usually require a full season of play to complete the recovery process, both physical and mental. He has to get back into shape, find his groove on the floor and with the team, and trust that he can play all out and not get hurt again. If he is planning on staying 2 or 3 years, he could be a good addition. If he is planning on moving on to the NBA or another high bidder after one year, he is a wasted scholarship.
We need some HEALTHY BIGS who are proven performers and are ready to play NOW. Getting the Spainard would help but he will play as a stretch four IF we get him. Moreno will more than likely have to play a stretch 4 also if he can develop a shot; he is too light to play as a 5 in the college game. Will Oweh and Garrison be back? We have a ton of guards and wings. I am not sure that Oweh wants to part of another rebuild without any real BIGS. Garrison showed flashes of promise last year but he was frustrated with his PT. Can he step us his game with more PT, especially on the defensive end and in rebounding?
Look at how many BIGS Florida had and they could all play! Even when they went to their bench there was no significant drop in play, unlike what we experienced this past year. Next season Florida will have a 7’9", 305 pound Goliath who is pretty mobile. How will a 6’9", 230 pound kid do anything with him? Unless there are a whole new bunch of BIGS coming into the portal after last night’s game, we won’t have much to pick from. Even Calipari said that if you don’t have a dominant center you are a pretender, not a contender. Right now, we are questionable at best at the 4 and 5 spots. As of right now, we look more like a pretender than a contender. Remember the old Burger King commercial. You sound like the woman who was so complimentary about the fluffy bun. Jimmy and I are saying "Where’s the BEEF?"
Barry you never satisfied regardless who we get. I knew The Jaylen injury and besides some players comeback stronger than ever after such injury and hopefully that will be the case with Jaylan.
Now see 79, that just shows that you are talking out of your butthole. I was very happy with Pope’s first team. Injuries kept them from reaching their full potential. Going into next season, you would have to have some reservations about how much a guy less than a year away from an ACL tear would be able to contribute. You just don’t bounce back from that kind of injury. It took Rick Robey 2 years to fully get his game back on track. If you knew he would be around for 2 or 3 years, that would be a gamble worth taking. He has made it clear that when he turns 18, he is going pro. He might be able to help as a reserve in limited playing time and perhaps even more after the first of the year if all goes well, but we need STARTERS NOW. We need BIGS NOW. It’s obvious that you are just another Rah Rah who really doesn’t understand this game in any great detail and that’s ok. Sit back and enjoy, but don’t question those who do know more about the game when we post our comments to other knowledgeable fans who are also more than armchair cheerleaders.
Since you know it all, how come you not a coach or a recruiter SMH
Quaintence is a great get. I would say Dioubate is the best get out of the portal so far. Pope is on the right track. The Cats still need a great 3 point shooting guard. Lowe shot it at 26.6% last year. That’s not killing it. I’d say Chandler was better than that. As Barry says, the Cats need some Beef. Moreno is 7’1", but only 230lb. and used to playing Ky HS kids. Looking at who Pope has offered, there is No one over 6’9". I agree with Barry, the Cats need a couple 7′ 260lb. plus guys to anchor the middle. Atleast One. In my opinion, get a guard that shoots better than 40% on three’s and one or two 6’11"- 7′ bruisers and Pope will have the Cats in position to make some Real Noise.
Beef??
Seriously Wildwest? Do I have to draw a picture for you?
Injured beef. Not grade A
He’s a $2 steak.
I just hope that Pope is vetting these guys not only for their talent but also culture fit. I have been wondering if he hasn’t felt some pressure lately bc some other schools have passed us a little. Are these gets a concession that we are out of the Ament sweepstakes?? Is Pope capable of getting anyone over 230 lbs? One of our gets is a 6’8 or 9" weighing 180 lbs. How is anyone made that thin? We need some beef to rock the Toledo’s if we to ascend to the top.
According to NBA draft experts Quaintence is a "Unicorn Talent"
A HEALTHY Quaintance is a Unicorn Talent. He won’t be that until the 2026/27 season, but he has stated that he will go pro then.