re: Tide Hoops | Offseason

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He's going to have a Levi Randolph kind of career.

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No. 19 Cason Wallace and No. 20 Nick Smith

• 6-4 combo guards
• Wallace EYBL stats: 12 games, 15.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.4 blocks, 1.2 steals, 19 of 52 3-pointers (36.5%)
• Smith EYBL stats: 15 games, 17.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 27 of 72 3-pointers (37.5%)

Wallace was named MVP of the EYBL regular season and had folks like ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony wondering whether he might be a top-five prospect in the class. Smith poured in 31 points (10 of 19 from the field, 9 of 9 at the line) in the Peach Jam title game and looked like one of the best two-way players in the country. Both earned Kentucky offers over the weekend.

“That’s going to be interesting to watch and see how everything unfolds, whether they can get both of them,” Branham said. “They’re in good position with both, so it’s just going to be a matter of priorities. If one of them pops early, what’s the other think? You’ve already got Skyy Clark and assuming you get Sharpe — maybe even Chris Livingston (a star on the Adidas circuit whose aunt ran track at UK and still lives in Lexington), because they’re in good position with him too ­— plus other returning players, so that’s a lot of perimeter guys.”

But Calipari is adept at signing multiple five-star guards and making it work. Which could be bad news for a few SEC foes. Tennessee was the clear leader for Wallace before Kentucky offered, while Alabama or Arkansas were frontrunners for Smith. That might not be the case anymore.

“Kentucky has been keeping Cason warm for a while, has been in the mix, and now that they finally extended that offer, I think they’re going to be the leader the rest of the way,” Branham said. “Cason wants to go to Kentucky and he would pair well with Coach Cal. He’s just Cal’s type of player: an absolute warrior, big-time competitor, tough as nails. The word that always comes to me with him is just ‘winner.’ The thing that stands out about his game more than anything is his defense. He’s elite, one of the best defenders in the entire class, especially on the ball.”

Wallace is also a willing passer, aggressive rebounder, capable outside shooter, strong dribble-driver and terrific finisher.

“If there’s a loose ball, Cason Wallace is probably coming up with it,” Branham said. “Just a really well-rounded, multi-dimensional guy who impacts the game in a lot of ways. Smith is very similar, and he’s a good passer whose next step in development could be turning him into more of a point guard than a pure shooting guard. I think Alabama leads for Smith right now, but Kentucky is just getting started.”

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Three other 2022 players have offers from the Cats so far: Jaden Bradley (6-3 point guard), Brandon Miller (6-8 small forward) and Kyle Filipowski (6-11 center). The first two are not expected to pick Kentucky, and Filipowski committed to Duke on Thursday. Alabama is the favorite to land Bradley (17.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 6.0 assists in the EYBL) and his close friend Jarace Walker, a 6-8 power forward and top-15 recruit, in a rare actual package deal. The Cats and Crimson Tide are also involved with Miller, who averaged 12.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.9 blocks and 1.7 steals for the Peach Jam runner-up, “but I think it’s most likely he ends up going the pro route because it’s a big draw for him to be able to focus solely on basketball,” Branham said.

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Just give me Jaden Bradley, Jarace Walker, another top 100 kid and 2 or 3 good transfers and I will be happy.

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Just give me Jaden Bradley, Jarace Walker, another top 100 kid and 2 or 3 good transfers and I will be happy.

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Jarace Walker has been very productive at NBPA Top 100. He’s a mismatch waiting to happen with his size & versatility. Making tons of great passes, hitting a variety of mid-range jumpers, and slashing by slower forwards. Lots to like on both ends.

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