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The Kentucky Wildcats just picked up a major commitment from Iowa Hawkeyes transfer CJ Fredrick.
Fredrick joins Oscar Tshiebwe and Kellan Grady in transfers that John Calipari has landed for the 2021-22 season.
Fredrick started all 27 games for the Hawkeyes last season and averaged 7.5 points, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 rebounds while shooting 47% from the field. However, Fredrick does his damage from deep as the 6-3 guard shot 47% from three last season while averaging 2.8 attempts per game.
Shooting was one of the major issues for Kentucky last season and by keeping Dontaie Allen while adding Grady and Fredrick through the transfer market, the Cats already have three knockdown shooters for next season.
Now, Calipari needs to go find a point guard to run the show, and whoever that may be will have nothing but scorers and sharpshooters around him. Perhaps getting a guy like Fredrick will make it easier to find and land said point guard.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the big news:
BOOM! CJ Fredrick commits to Kentucky #BBN #WeAreUK https://t.co/nYNZmus4Kn
— A Sea of Blue (@ASeaOfBlue) May 5, 2021
BBN Lets Gooooo!!!!! Time to work https://t.co/JAZDAIP9Oj
— Cj Fredrick (@cj_fredrick) May 5, 2021
Let's go to work!
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) May 5, 2021
.@cj_fredrick is an established college player from a terrific program who has competed at the highest level and has made big shots and big plays. https://t.co/rCNyaGbLgR
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) May 5, 2021
BREAKING: Iowa transfer CJ Fredrick has committed to KENTUCKY! #BBN
— Moore Edits (@moore_bbn) May 5, 2021
The 6’3” sharpshooter is coming home to Kentucky pic.twitter.com/Z7dOWYCl4v
What I love about @cj_fredrick is his approach in all of this. In every conversation I have had w/him, he has a great plan of how he wants to improve and where he needs to take his game to get better. He wants to be challenged, he wants to be coached and he embraces competition.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) May 5, 2021
⏳‼️
— Jai Lucas (@CoachJLuc) May 5, 2021
I may be in the minority here but don't think Kentucky needs a great shooter at point. Even a Teague-level (~ 32%) shooting, just enough to punish you playing off occasionally, is enough with Grady, Fredrick, Allen, maybe Mintz.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) May 5, 2021
Highly recommend watching some of his tape. You can easily see how he fits in with Cal’s offense. All UK needs is a penetrating guard. Hell, get two of them.
— T.J. Walker (@TJWalkerRadio) May 5, 2021
Defense could suffer but imagine a lineup w/ CJ & Dontaie on the wings, Grady, stretch 4 in Brooks. Man. Good stuff. pic.twitter.com/k5GBGEHDlj
At 62 years old, a lot of folks (myself included) wondered about John Calipari's willingness to change even after a humbling 9-16 season. I'd say thus far he's answered that question rather emphatically.
— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) May 5, 2021
WE GOT SHOOTERS @cj_fredrick #BBN
— Austen (@AustenGMoney23) May 5, 2021
Just spoke with an authority on Iowa sports, got some great stuff coming on Fredrick later. This is a huge get if CJ stays healthy. Glue guy, bucket getter, high IQ, never takes a bad shot.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) May 5, 2021
Some stats to digest on C.J. Fredrick: 52 assists & just 10 turnovers last season. Only six turnovers after Dec. 20. Also only major conference player since 1993 to have a 2 to 1 assist to TO ratio with at least 65 assists, & shoot at 46% or better from three. @KentuckyRivals
— David Sisk (@CoachDavidSisk) May 5, 2021
CJ Fredrick is exactly what UK needs...with he, Kellen Grady and Dontaie Allen (and maybe Mintz), they now have shooters
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) May 5, 2021
Need a Point Guard and we are ready
Iowa transfer CJ Fredrick, 6-3 shooting guard who started 52 games for the Hawkeyes and made 46.6% of his 3-pointers on 178 attempts, is headed to Kentucky. John Calipari has resoundingly answered the call to add more shooting.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) May 5, 2021
Outside of his 3PFG% (47.4) and A/TO ratio (5.2), CJ Fredrick's counting stats aren't mind-boggling but consider this: Without him, Iowa lost 4 of 5 in late January/early February. After he came back, the Hawkeyes won 9 of its last 11.
— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) May 5, 2021
I got word late last Thursday that Kentucky was closing in on CJ Fredrick. I thought it was going to be announced late last week. Fredrick is a great addition to Kentucky’s roster. John Calipari prioritized shooting with Fredrick and Grady. Next up on the list is a point guard.
— Shawn Smith (@gbbcountry) May 5, 2021
WELCOME TO #BBN @cj_fredrick LFG #LaFamilia
— Joey Vogt (@JVogt_21) May 5, 2021
Former Iowa guard and Covington Catholic product CJ Fredrick on transferring back home to Kentucky: pic.twitter.com/aM2Zu1faRy
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) May 5, 2021
In less than two months, John Calipari has gone from his worst 3-point shooting team at Kentucky to perhaps his best.
— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) May 5, 2021
Kellan Grady: 36.6% on 656 career attempts
CJ Fredrick: 46.6 on 178 career attempts
Iowa Transfer and dead-eye sharpshooter CJ Fredrick Commits To Kentucky
— John Huang (@KYHuangs) May 5, 2021
I guess we’ll see how much difference shooting actually makes.
Iowa sharpshooter CJ Fredrick commits to UK
— Dylan Ballard (@DylanBallard_UK) May 5, 2021
It may be may but this roster isn’t finished and I think Cats will be happy come winter
So here’s how it stands right now:
— BEEZY (@Burke_Franklin_) May 5, 2021
Keion Brooks(counting him as of today)
Oscar Tshiebwe
Dontaie Allen
CJ Fredrick
Kellan Grady
Jacob Toppin
Lance Ware
Daimion Collins
Bryce Hopkins
Get TyTy on May 15th and then add a second guard from somewhere(portal, Mintz return)
Kentucky's two incoming perimeter transfers --- CJ Fredrick and Kellan Grady --- combined to shoot an average of 42.8% from three-point range last season.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 5, 2021
As a team, Kentucky shot 33.6% from three-point range in 20-21. https://t.co/cJtRlmdDTU
— sportsdangus (@sportsdangus) May 5, 2021
Let’s ball. pic.twitter.com/9sp9Ga1DtQ
— Micah Pearson (@micahpe1) May 5, 2021
Letssss goooooooo. Bombing the 3s next year #BBN pic.twitter.com/jzDO5OgCBE
— AllBlueAllDay (@AllBlueAllDay) May 5, 2021
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