Kentucky Basketball Recruiting: Devonta Pollard Cuts UK from List of Finalists

by jc25 on Nov 16, 2011 9:46 AM EST in Kentucky Wildcats Basketball

Is John Calipari done recruiting 2012 SF Devonta Pollard?

According to a Scout Premium ($) article, 2012 SF Devonta Pollard (Porterville Kemper County) has cut Kentucky from his list of finalists. He now lists Alabama, Mississippi State, Texas, Georgetown and Missouri.

Pollard is a five-star talent, but the 6'7" combo forward has a skill set that may be redundant when put next to Kentucky signee Alex Poythress, as both are optimal fits at small forward. Kentucky certainly could still opt to continue pursuing Pollard and attempt to rotate Poythress and Pollard at the 3 and 4 positions. Just because Pollard has cut Kentucky from his list doesn't necessarily preclude John Calipari from continuing to recruit him. After all, Calipari re-initiated the recruitment of shooting guard Gary Harris (who eventually opted for Michigan St.) and Jarnell Stokes (still unsigned) after both players had cut Kentucky from their respective finalist lists.

However, it's more likely that with Poythress now on board, Calipari instead tries to sign a big man more suited to play power forward. The aforementioned Stokes is the obvious choice, as he's a natural 4. Two more names--Amile Jefferson and Anthony Bennett--are both combo forwards like Pollard. However, both Jefferson and Bennett appear to be bigger and taller, making them a better candidate to man the power forward position.

Kentucky got in late to the recruitments of Jefferson and Stokes. Both were expected to make a decision by the end of the Early Signing Period, but neither has committed to date. Jefferson, thought to be a North Carolina State lean, attended the Villanova game last night, and Stokes was spotted behind the Memphis bench on ESPN yesterday. If they are indeed deciding to wait until the Late Signing Period, that bodes well for Kentucky. It gives Calipari more time to bend their ears. As for Bennett, he's definitely waiting until the Late Signing Period to decide, and hasn't yet trimmed his list or taken official visits.

Who will Kentucky end up adding to its 2012 class? Stay tuned.

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Comments

Aside from actually watching the games, my favorite part of college basketball is recruiting.

So I’ve been grateful for your posts over the last few months. I follow the national recruiting picture, and that take’s a lot of time and page views. However, for the most part, when it comes to UK only, I know I can just come here and see if you’ve posted. Good work.

by mrmondaynite on Nov 16, 2011 10:22 AM EST reply actions

thanks, sir

Always appreciate kind words.

http://aseaofblue.com | http://barkingcarnival.fantake.com | @JC_Hoops

by jc25 on Nov 16, 2011 2:05 PM EST up reply actions

Shabazz

Wonder how much he enjoyed watching UCLA lose by 20 to Middle Tennessee State last night?

by BCinVA on Nov 16, 2011 11:46 AM EST reply actions

just need one...but we will take 2......lol....

I am now and shall forever be the Cat in The Hat, The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!!!

by Greg Alan Edwards on Nov 16, 2011 11:56 AM EST reply actions

Quote from Pollard

"UK produces pros, but if you go and you aren’t ready to be drafted in 1 or 2 years, then you will have to stay there 2 or 3 more years. And if you don’t like the school and have to stay more than a year, then it’s not going to work out."
-hat tip KSR

What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know,
But what we know for sure...but just ain't so.
-Mark Twain

by BigBlue1976 on Nov 16, 2011 3:02 PM EST reply actions