John Wall Signs with Kentucky

Sorry for the delay on the news, traveling today. But big news for the Kentucky Wildcats all around. National #1 ranked recruit Point Guard John Wall has signed to play for the University of Kentucky. Wall will be the highest ranked recruit to sign with the Kentucky Wildcats. I have never been so happy to be wrong. Most of my reports on here about Wall had him leaning toward Miami, which I really felt was true. A news conference will be scheduled at 2pm at Wall's high school on Wednesday. So lets look at what the Wildcats have coming in to the program next year:

Five Star PG- John Wall
Five Star PG- Eric Bledsoe (who qualified today!)
Five Star PF- Demarcus Cousins
Five Star C- Daniel Orton
Four Star SF- Darnell Dodson
Four Star SG- Jon Hood

This freshman class alone could contend for a national title. Add to that Jodie Meeks, Patrick Patterson, and Darius Miller this team could be freakishly good. But lets not let the cart get ahead of the horse. Calipari still needs to get these kids to buy into his system and go out and win games. They do not award any titles in the summer. But this is looking to be a very very bright year for the Cats!

John Wall to make Decision Soon

Reports are indicated that John Wall could be making his decision on where he will bring his talents as early as some time this week. Although as many of you who have followed Wall know this could change at the drop of a hat. Several outlets have confirmed that Wall is down to UK and Miami. Although Duke is still potentially in the running. Duke is where a lot of his AAU camp and "posse" would like him to end up more than likely so they can stay as close to him as possible and cash in on their lottery ticket when he is drafted. I am still thinking that Wall is leaning more towards playing for Miami. There are two very different situations with Kentucky and Miami. He can come to Kentucky and play on a team with a lot of talent, a group that has the potential to contend for a title. Or, he can go to Miami where they will compete in the ACC, probably make the tournament, but Wall will be the absolute go to guy and get all of the shots. Kentucky will have a number of top notch players in the stable next year that could help Wall, but also will take some of Wall's opportunities for scoring. I don't think either choice will affect his NBA recruiting, unless he completely bombs out his freshman year. From what I have read NBA scouts look at efficiency more than just pure scoring. So if Wall goes to Miami and puts up 40 every night, they are going to look at his shooting percentage. It may fare better for Wall to come to Kentucky and become a more efficient player. But I still think that he is leaning toward heading to South Beach. So for now as usual it is a wait an see game with John Wall.

John Wall's List of Schools

John Wall has yet to narrow his list of potential schools and told a reporter with Rivals.com that he will probably narrow that list next week. Wall was scheduled to visit NC Central this weekend but did not end up making the visit. No real shock because I would not think that Wall would have much of an interest playing Division II but Wall played for their new coach and was more than likely doing him a favor. Most would prognosticate that Wall's list is down to Duke, Kentucky, Miami, and Florida. But as we have seen with Wall, only he really knows. A lot of the reason why Wall's recruitment has carried on this long is because he shut it down last year due to his mother being hospitalized with an illness. There have been a lot of questions surrounding Wall's academic eligibility which is still yet to be determined. Either way this kid is keeping a lot of people in the basketball community on their toes. Wall should be able to take his time and make the decision. In my outside opinion, don't be surprised if you see Wall in Miami. He is a one and done guy without a doubt, and wouldn't you rather spend that one in South Beach? He can win with Miami, maybe not a National Championship but at least get them to the tournament.

Recruit Eric Bledsoe to Narrow List

Word on the recruiting trail is highly ranked guard Eric Bledsoe has narrowed his list of schools to Memphis and Kentucky. Bledsoe is spending Thursday in Memphis meeting with head coach Josh Pastner and his staff then traveling to Lexington on Friday to visit with Coach Calipari and Kentucky. Bledsoe, who previously named Florida as his top, has now dropped the Gators off the list for unknown reasons. Bledsoe has been put on the back burner from a lot of teams who are heavily pursuing top ranked recruit John Wall. Many say that Kentucky is a front runner for Wall but he has not stepped foot on campus and it would be hard for me to imagine him coming to Kentucky without even a visit. Wall recently visited Miami and came out pretty impressed. Wall is a definite one and done and don't be shocked if he does decide to spend his one in Miami rather than Kentucky.

Former Kentucky Recruit Signs with Gonzaga

G.J. Vilarino, point guard from McKinney (Texas), and first committment from former Kentucky Wildcat coach Billy Gillispie has committed to Gonzaga. Vilarino re-opened his recruiting after Kentucky fired Gillispie. The unranked PG was being courted heavily by Mick Cronin and the Cincinnati Bearcats after he was released from Kentucky.

Xavier Henry Recruiting News

Rivals.com is reporting that Xavier and CJ Henry will declare their college choices within the next two days. The 6'6" shooting guard Xavier Henry is the #8 ranked player in Rivals top 150. Kentucky has been buzzing about this kid ever since the ink dried when Coach Calipari signed his contract. If you read all of the pro-Kentucky fan sites they are still speculating that Henry will come to Kentucky. However, the Henry family has not visited the campus and will not if they make their decision within the next two days. I would find it hard to believe that they would choose a school without even stepping foot on the campus. Stay tuned it is definately down between Kansas and Kentucky. My money would say he is heading to Kansas where his father was an athlete for the Jayhawks.

John Wall Narrows List

Rivals.com #1 ranked recruit John Wall has narrowed his list to seven schools. N.C. State, Duke, Memphis, Baylor, Kansas, Miami and Kentucky are all in the running for the PG to join their team next year. Coach Calipari is out of the recruiting trail this week and I would imagine he will be paying a visit to Mr. Wall. Although Wall will more than likely start wherever he goes Kentucky is in desperate need of PG.

Kentucky Wildcats News and Notes

* Perhaps a little fallout from the news of DeMarcus Cousins announcement Daniel Orton has re-opened his recruiting and decommitted from the University of Kentucky. Orton was ranked #22 on Rivals.com top 150. There were some concerns as to how Orton would fit into Calipari's dribble drive offense. Where this is a big loss for Kentucky with the signing of Cousins they essentially traded the #2 Rivals ranked player for the #22.

* Michael Porter has announced that we will not return to the University of Kentucky for his senior season. Porter, who played PG for the Cats in 2009, is leaving to pursue other options outside of basketball. Porter will graduate from Kentucky in May and is married with a baby due this summer. This will open up a scholarship spot for Kentucky.

* Xavier Henry has essentially narrowed his list down to Kentucky and Kansas. All early indications are that Henry would more than likely choose Kanasas. Henry's parents both played at Kansas and he has made an official visit to their campus. Henry had previously signed at Memphis to play for Calipari but was released from his letter from Memphis.

* #47 ranked player in Rivals.com SG Nolan Dennis has also been released from his LOI at Memphis. Dennis has been reported to be interested in joining Calipari at Kentucky.

DeMarcus Cousins Commits to the Wildcats

According to Scout.com #6 ranked player in the Country DeMarcus Cousins has committed to the University of Kentucky and Coach John Calipari. Cousins had previously committed to the University of Memphis but had not signed a letter of intent.

Cousins, 6'9" 245lbs, is a big time scorer in the post. He is very strong and very physical player inside and will add depth at that position. Hard to say where the Cats will slot Cousins in their lineup. Most likely he would come in to help Patrick Patterson which will give us another strong physical option down low.