LEXINGTON, Ky. _ As the search for at least one more frontcourt player for Kentucky's 2020-21 roster continues, the fact that the Wildcats have two pretty talented power forwards coming in next season should not be forgotten.
With all of UK's recruiting focus on adding a big (or two) who can have an immediate impact, the names Isaiah Jackson and Lance Ware have become secondary to the discussion over John Calipari's next team. What can fans realistically expect of the incoming duo? And what type of addition would best complement each of their skill sets?
Jackson and Ware _ both 6-foot-9 power forwards _ are ranked No. 27 and No. 32, respectively, by Rivals.com in the 2020 class. They're both high-upside players who are still just scratching the surface of their basketball potential. They're also _ as of now _ the only true frontcourt players for Kentucky's roster next season.
The next-biggest player on UK's projected 2020-21 roster is Keion Brooks, who is listed at 6-7 and 205 pounds. Though he played some as an undersized "4" last season, Brooks was recruited as more of a wing and projects to play more from the perimeter in the future.
Calipari will surely add someone else to the frontcourt mix before next season begins, but Jackson and Ware are the only sure things so far.
Jackson _ listed at 200 pounds _ has the reputation as one of the most athletic post players and best frontcourt defenders in the 2020 class. Rivals.com analyst Dan McDonald recently called him "the most underrated post player in the class." There are still questions about his game, especially if he's forced to play the "5" role.
"This first thing is _ is he ready physically?" Rivals.com national analyst Corey Evans told the Herald-Leader. "He's always been a long and slender big man, so he's not someone who's going to be able to hold his ground great in the post. Offensively, I think he's better than what people realize. I think he's a bit more skilled than people realize. But, at the end of the day, the defensive side of the floor _ that's what's made him who he is. He's one of the best shot-blockers, and probably the nearest thing we have to a '1' through '5' defender in the high school game. So, I just think his range of capabilities on the defensive end is what's going to get him on the floor."
Evans said those defensive skills should translate immediately to the college game. He also said it would greatly benefit Jackson to play in a lineup with another big man _ a common Calipari combination that could allow Jackson to do his thing defensively while taking away some of the offensive expectations.
Ware _ listed at 215 pounds _ could be a good complement in the post. Evans said he's a solid offensive producer around the basket and "really, really good" out of the short corner and high post.
"He's someone that Cal hasn't had at that spot in a while, in regard to someone you can just throw the ball to and let him go to work," he said. "We saw how great it was to have a developed Nick Richards this past year. He might not be to that extent _ a junior year Nick Richards _ but he's a much more developed, polished freshman compared to Nick. I just think that his ability to play and produce in the half-court setting, his feel for the game, it's all going to translate."
That's two promising power forwards. But they're not centers, and _ other than sticking Brooks or maybe four-star recruit Cam'Ron Fletcher at the "4" for a few minutes a game _ there are no other players on the team to take those minutes. To put it bluntly ...
"There's no one on that roster capable of being a 25-minuter-per-game guy at the '5' spot for next year," Evans said.
