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G. J. Vilarino -- Future Kentucky Wildcat

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The Courier-Journal has this outstanding article today on G.J. Vilarino, Billy Gillispie's oft-maligned first recruit as coach of the University of Kentucky.  Van Coleman, who I respect (so much so that I pay for his information) says that Vilarino is improving, but he still has some work to do:

"There are areas where he can still get better, but I think he has improved," said Coleman, who evaluated Vilarino at the recent LeBron James U.S. Skills Academy in Akron, Ohio.

"He utilizes his quickness much more efficiently. He's not dribbling the ball the length of the court; he's getting out and getting clear and making a pass. The other thing he has to do is show the jump shot to keep the defense honest, and we haven't consistently seen that."

To be honest, I don't worry near as much about his jump shot now as I do his handle and his passing.  Kentucky will have plenty of players who can score from the perimeter and inside the paint.  Many point guards do fine in college without a reliable jump shot (Derrick Rose, Wayne Turner, Jason Kidd -- this list is long and distinguished), but as long as V.J. can get to the rim and attack the basket, he will be a fit at UK.  As to that, we have this:

He has a 42-inch vertical leap and has been timed at 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

As to his ballhandling and passing, we have this from an article late last year:

Vilarino gets two more seasons to add to his awards collection and make a legitimate run at a state championship. He will also use that time to polish an already impressive game that includes stellar ball-handling, quickness on offense and defense and a nice perimeter jumper.

I don't care who you are, a 4.4 40-yard dash is blazing, Jodie Meeks speed.  If he can really run like that, not to mention jump 42 inches in the air, he is more than athletic enough to play the point at UK.  If he can handle, pass, and get up and down the floor and blow by defenders on the dribble (and it looks like he can do all four), he has all the skills he needs.  The consistent jumper can come later.

But my favorite quote is from from G.J. himself:

"Once I committed, I have always been firm with it," said Vilarino, who probably will be watched by Gillispie this afternoon. "I'll never go back on my commitment. I made a commitment, and that's how it's going to be. Kentucky is my place, and I can't wait to get there. (The staff) told me I am more than good enough."

Gillispie has famously assured everyone that his word is his bond when it comes to scholarship offers.  G.J. isn't looking around, so you'd best believe that barring a sudden change of heart, G.J. will be suiting up in UK blue despite the prognostications of some in the UK online community.

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UPDATE 01:15 PM:  Jody Demling also has this blog post containing more about G.J. Vilarino's performance in Vegas, as well as some other UK recruits.

 

0 recs | Comment 12 comments

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Recruiting

I don’t spend my days watching grainy You-tube videos and paying to for subscription services on the recruiting pages. So I have very little ability to form an independant opinion until I see them at Big Blue Madness.

For now, I just have to go with “In Clyde We Trust” until he shows me otherwise.

Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."

by chirop1 on Jul 23, 2008 11:19 AM EDT   0 recs

Villarino

I trust Billy G and regardless of what people say about his kid I am excited to get him in boue and white.

DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!

by davw83 on Jul 23, 2008 12:20 PM EDT   0 recs

BLUE

We really need a comment edit button.

DEEETROIT BASKETBALLL!!!

by davw83 on Jul 23, 2008 12:21 PM EDT   0 recs

Preview ...

... is your friend. :-)

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Jul 23, 2008 1:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

clavw83

I don’t know why I would like to see him in boue and white too. Seriouly someone that athletic has great potential and he still has time to improve his game.

by gright on Jul 23, 2008 12:48 PM EDT   0 recs

Vilarino

1st team All-Stater in Texas as a junior. Big state with lots of players. He was among the Top 5 (at least in his classification). He’s plenty good regardless of HS ranking by some.

Anthony Epps was “only” Top 200 rated in HS. Jeff Brassow Top 150. Cameron Mills Top 300. Each was successful at UK.

The 2004 UK recruits had 3 HS All-Americans and 1 Prep but were only 90-44 at UK.

The 2000 UK recruits only had 2 HS All-Americans and 2 others NR in Top 100 but they were 105-29 at UK.

by FortyYearCatFan on Jul 23, 2008 2:36 PM EDT   0 recs

Vilarino

Very nice story here on GJ and some excellent links also.

Gillispie has been watching this kid from the 8th grade so I have to put my trust in Coach and his staff. I admire Vilarino’s attitude about knowing what he has to do to get better and be ready to compete at the SEC level. He is firmly committed to UK, that means a ton!

Going to enjoy seeing all our future players improve their playing skills.

by kykat51 on Jul 23, 2008 4:20 PM EDT   0 recs

Game management

I really am not very concerned about GJ’s jumpshot. By the time he starts seeing playing time (sophomore at the earliest) we will have plenty of guys who can fill it up. We need a PG who will take care of the ball, initiate the offense early, and find open teammates. Leave the scoring to Hood, Miller, Ross-Miller, Liggins, Pilgrim, Orton (please), etc…

Kentucky IS your place GJ, and we can’t wait for you to get here either.

Still not a crook!

by TrickyD26 on Jul 23, 2008 6:17 PM EDT   0 recs

Liggins

Not a scorer. Much better passer. Good defender.

by FortyYearCatFan on Jul 23, 2008 7:23 PM EDT   0 recs

Right.

Liggins has relatively poor technique on his jumpshot. I’d be willing to wager that Vilarino’s is better. But Liggins can make the thing, after a fashion.

But as you say, his strength is passing, handling and defending. I would add rebounding in there, as he is a big point with a nose for the ball.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Jul 24, 2008 6:56 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

He Was Best Player In Chicago In 2007 HS Season

Plenty talented. Just not really a scorer.

If eligible (as many expect), I think he starts at PG.

by FortyYearCatFan on Jul 24, 2008 4:11 PM EDT   0 recs

I think ...

... you’re right.

A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan

by Truzenzuzex on Jul 24, 2008 6:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

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