Recruiting analyst sees reason for optimism for the future of Kentucky Basketball

In what’s shaping up to be one of the worst seasons in the history of Kentucky Wildcats basketball, the Big Blue Nation is starting to fear that the future of the program is bleak.

247 Sports recruiting analyst Brian Snow does see some reason for the BBN to optimism the awful 2020-21 season is a one and done.

Snow believes four-star point guard signee Nolan Hickman should play a key role for the Cats next season, saying, “Easily the most important recruit coming in is Nolan Hickman. While not a top 20 lock McDonald’s All-American, Hickman is a solid point guard who can make shots, is a good athlete, and knows how to run a team. He along with Devin Askew, who should be more prepared next season, should give Kentucky a lot more stability at the point guard spot.”

Snow also believes in four-star signee Bryce Hopkins saying, “Hopkins is someone who just knows how to score. While he isn’t a pure shooter, he can stretch the floor, and then also does the dirty work on the glass. Hopkins is another likely multi-year player, and he won’t be a star in year one, but he should help balance out the floor from the forward spot.”

Finally, Snow believes Oscar Tshiebwe and Daimion Collins should be enough to fill the void that will be left by Olivier Sarr. And if either Brandon Boston, Terrence Clarke come back to join expected returners Dontaie Allen, Devin Askew and Keion Brooks Jr., things “should be better next year.”

However, Snow, like much of the BBN, does not see enough shooting in the current 2021 recruiting class, but he believes Calipari and company could find that shooting depth in the transfer portal. For Snow’s full story click here.