Kyle Wiltjer puts up a hook shot against Radford. (Ben Kleppinger photo)
By LARRY VAUGHT
If you are a Kentucky basketball fan looking for a reason to be even more optimistic next season, then let the Sporting News provide it for you.
Sporting News has already been ranking the top players at each position going into the 2012-13 season. Guess who is projected as the nation’s sixth best power forward? Kentucky sophomore Kyle Wiltjer.
Here’s what Sporting News said about Wiltjer, who was UK’s seventh player on the national title team and will bet the Cats’ most experienced player going into next season based on the roster today:
“If you think Wiltjer was one of those guys who got a championship ring for practicing hard and waving a towel during the Wildcats’ rallies, you weren’t paying attention. There were moments during the season when he made an important difference with quick footwork and long arms in a double-team, when he made a well-timed blocked or when he made another clutch 3-pointer. He hit 4-of-7 3-pointers during the NCAA Tournament, 43.2 percent on the season. His shooting ability will make him a pro eventually. If he is able to add strength to a lean frame, he will be a significant pro. That’s the project this summer. Wiltjer must be able to take a pounding for Kentucky coach John Calipari to afford playing him in the 30-minute range. With another 15 pounds of muscle, though, Calipari will have no choice but to play him that long.”
Could not agree more with all of that and believe Wiltjer will be a huge surprise — maybe not to Sporting News — to a lot of college basketball fans next season.
9 Responses to Kyle Wiltjer’s ranking should make UK basketball fans feel even better about next season
Leave a Reply
Blue Zoom Radio Show
Polls
Loading ...Choose Your Favorite!
He was making progress as the season went along and Cal has stated before he leaves Ky he will be special. It just matter of time in what Cal will make a player out of him.
I think he could be really special in the years ahead
I have liked Kyle since his unconventional announcement he was going to attend Ky. I think he has a lot of potential and on any other team he would have been a starter this year. I can’t help but think of Issel sometimes when he is on the floor. I’m looking forward to seeing a beefed up super-sized Kyle in 2012-13 and beyond.
We Believe !!!
I thought he had a GREAT year. I still believe he will be special. I have been a KW fan since he signed and I have seen nothing to change that. I really think he could be a DOMINATING sf. If you look at the Miller kid from Fla, he is about the same hieght and is a contributor on a NBA Finals team. He will post the small guys drive around the big guys and use his length to cover smaller players. He will pick and pop, double down and become the BIG man around town. I LOVE THIS KID
Depending on how Hood and Harrow play we could see another special year.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GO BLUE OR STAY HOME
Count me as another Kyle Wiltjer fan. He made amazing progress as the year went on. He went from looking a little confused on defense, and a little tentative on offense to looking totally confident at both ends of the floor, and his defense got better as the year went on. He made a couple of key plays, both offensively and defensively, in the championship run.
I like him, but he definitely needs to add weight. I just hope when adds the weight he doesn’t lose any of his speed or agility. I say this because I watched Davis and compared them against each other and Davis was more agile and faster than him. Davis was more fluid in their games together at UK.
I don’t see him leaving UK until at least after his JR season.
Wiltjer was the sleeper on this team and I think Cal knows he has a jewel in the making in this young man. I think he is one who really listens and puts forth the effort and when he leaves KY will be a real standout player.
I agree about Kyle. I think he’s a gem waiting to be polished and put on full-time display