Instead of continuing the drumbeat of Kentucky fan whining, I want to focus on what is good about the program and on who we are bringing in, not who we may or won't be bringing in recruit-wise. To that end, here is the first in a series of pieces on the newest Kentucky Wildcats basketball players. ...
He may be the only Blue Devil that Kentucky fans ever root for. Thankfully for UK incoming freshman Jodie Meeks, he was only a Norcross (Ga.) High School Blue Devil. And a damn good one at that.
UK freshman to be Jodie Meeks
Meeks, a powerfully built combo guard, was all but headed to Alabama or Florida when a late-charging Tubby Smith swooped in and grabbed a visit from Meeks. And one visit was all it took.
Meeks' father, Orestes, made it clear that even a late-in-the-game Kentucky was a big deal, all but delivering his son to Smith & Co. before the visit. For Meeks, Kentucky's fanatical love of hoops and its unrivaled tradition were big selling points. Tubby Smith was the factor that sealed the deal.
A top 40 recruit in the Rivals final rankings and top 10 shooting guard for Scout, Jodie possesses a strong midrange game and an above-average ability to drive to the hole. At 6'4" and 185 pounds, Meeks has a man's body despite his young age, and Tubby noted in his comments about Meeks that he looked ready physically for SEC basketball.
Jodie was on Georgia's best high school team, one with three probable high Division 1 NCAA players on it. Junior teammate Gani Lawal, once a UK target, has verbally committed to nearby Georgia Tech. But this past season, it was the senior Meeks that led the way.
Meeks averaged over 25 points a game this season, and finished especially strong, tallying a pair of triple-doubles in the postseason on the way to a Georgia state Class AAAAA title.
Meeks figures to slide into the backup shooting guard spot behind Joe Crawford, and could provide depth at the point guard spot as well.
Welcome aboard, Jodie Meeks.