While speaking to the media via Zoom call today, John Calipari confirmed that Keion Brooks Jr. will return for his junior season. This is huge news for the Kentucky Wildcats who have been tearing up the transfer market recently. Not only that, they snagged two of the best assistant coaches in the country as well. Calipari is having himself one of the most successful offseasons in years.
Brooks came in as a top-25 recruit out of high school. After a lackluster season as a freshman and an injury that kept him out for some time this past season, Brooks has made the most of his college experience so far. In 16 games the forward averaged 10.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. He provided instant energy effort to the floor for the Cats.
Keion Brooks with the best dunk of the season that didn’t count. Hooo boy. pic.twitter.com/cBeF7TJRtA
— Kyle Boone (@Kyle__Boone) February 18, 2021
While the Calipari formula has been viewed as, get as many 5-stars as you can, struggle, develop, finish strong in March. While that is somewhat true, his ultimate goal has always been, get the best players possible, then do all the other stuff. In recent years, the big-name recruits have opted for other Blue Blood programs such as Duke, and others have opted to go to a non-traditional school and make a name for themselves. Ben Simmons at LSU, Trae Young at Oklahoma, Cade Cunningham at Oklahoma State, etc.
While being at Kentucky helps get you to the league, the biggest stars will command the attention no matter where they go. So, now Calipari has adjusted. Starting with Reid Travis a few years ago, Cal has relied on the transfer market more and more. This season he has absolutely raked in the transfers and managed to retain a large portion of his roster from last season.
Right now the Cats will have grad transfer, Kellan Grady, from Davidson, redshirt freshman CJ Fredrick from Iowa, junior Oscar Tshiebwe from West Virginia, and junior Sahvir Wheeler from Georgia. That’s just the transfer experience they are bringing in for the first time. They also return juniors Brooks and Jacob Toppin (transfer from Rhode Island in 2020), redshirt sophomore Dontaie Allen, and sophomore Lance Ware.
There are only three freshmen incoming. TyTy Washington, Damion Collins, and Bryce Hopkins. They make up the 6th ranked class in the country. Calipari will have his most experienced team ever for the 2021-22 season.
