Breaking down Isaiah Briscoe

Returning sophomore Isaiah Briscoe took advantage of the newly inserted rule for players being able to go through the draft process and make a better informed decision on their future.

While NBA teams weren't enticed to draft Briscoe in the first round of this year's NBA draft, they were, however, impressed with his interviews. Coach Cal said that NBA teams thought Briscoe's interviews were the best of everyone, mainly because Briscoe was simply truthful and honest with his response.

"Every team that interviewed him said his interviews were the best of anybody," Calipari told The Cats’ Pause. "I asked why? They said because he’s not delusional. He told them in the interviews, 'If I’m going to be a second round pick or a D-League player, I’m going back to college. I play at Kentucky.'"

So what does Briscoe add to this talented backcourt that will arrive in Lexington this season?

The two most obvious things are toughness and experience. He logged the third most minutes last season and was one of the leading rebounders on the team as well. While his defense isn't something that shows up much in the box scores, everyone remembers his defensive performance against Duke's Grayson Allen.

The biggest knock on Briscoe last season was no question his shot, whether that be from the free throw line or any jumper outside of ten feet. Now anyone who watched college basketball last season knows the names Buddy Hield and Denzel Valentine as the two split the national player of the year awards. Check out the stats from these two's freshmen years compared to Briscoe's.

Hield: 12.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. 23.8% from 3. 97.2 offensive rating and 21.5% of his team's shots when on the floor.

Valentine: 9.6 points, 8 rebounds, 4.6 assists. 28.1% from 3. 93.9 offensive rating and 15.5% of his team's shots when on the floor.

Briscoe: 11.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists. 13.5% from 3. 97.2 offensive rating and 18.6% of his team's shots when on the floor.

Both Hield and Valentine improved their shot's by at least 10% their sophomore seasons as well. While I don't expect Briscoe to be a consistent threat as a jump shooter or to stay four seasons as both of those guys did, these numbers are still something to consider.

If Briscoe gets his 3 point average up to even 25% just 1 of 4 that helps his game dramatically. Already showing the ability that Briscoe showed last season and the work he's putting in this off season, look for a big contribution from Isaiah Briscoe this season.