Recruiting Recap: Kentucky Wildcats

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Updated on August 22, 2018 1:22PM EST

Kentucky is usually at its best under coach John Calipari when it does not have to rely exclusively on freshman. Last year was not a banner season for the Wildcats because they basically had nothing returning. Although three of the top four scorers -- Kevin Knox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Hamidou Diallo -- left for the NBA, the entire recruiting class did not leave.

PJ Washington, Quade Green, and Nick Richards all stayed for their sophomore seasons and should progress admirably. Furthermore Stanford graduate transfer Reid Travis (19.5 points, 8.7 rebounds), who should help anchor Kentucky's frontline. As noted in the Duke recruiting recap, Calipari no longer has his pick of the recruiting litter, but he is still able to pull in excellent players to Lexington.

We'll profile the five freshmen who should play major minutes for Kentucky this season.

Keldon Johnson, G/F, (6-6, 211 lbs)

Johnson will jump into the hole left by the departures of Gilgeous-Alexander and Diallo. If there is one thing that Kentucky has lacked in bulk in past seasons, it has been outside shooting. Johnson has a sweet-looking jumper and should lead the team in 3-point baskets. The 6-6 guard can also score around the tin and made a number of shots that were originally generated by offensive rebounds (as seen in the video below from the Wildcats' recent tour of the Bahamas).

Johnson should also give opponents problems on the perimeter defensively. He plays with intensity and has enough strength to hold his position. The

We'll profile the five freshmen who should play major minutes for Kentucky this season.

Keldon Johnson, G/F, (6-6, 211 lbs)

Johnson should also give opponents problems on the perimeter defensively. He plays with intensity and has enough strength to hold his position. The Wildcats do not have any holdovers on the wing, so Johnson should get plenty of minutes from the starting tip of the season. Johnson's brother, Kaleb, plays at Georgetown, so the former Oak Hill Academy product should have a good idea of what he is getting into this season.

E.J. Montgomery, F, (6-10, 228 lbs)

Minutes may be more limited for Montgomery with Washington, Richards, and Travis on the roster, but the active forward should force his way into the rotation. Like many young players, Montgomery excels in transition and is a great finisher. He is thinner than the players in front of him on the depth chart, so he may be more of a situational play when the opponent does not have a traditional big man.

Montgomery has a nice feel for offense and is a surprisingly good passer for someone so tall as shown toward the end of the video below from the McDonald's All-American game. Calipari should be able to use him as a perimeter defender, and he can use his long arms to defend the 3-point line as well as being a help defender. Montgomery could start next to Richards and Washington with Travis coming off the bench. He has good hands and should be a formidable rebounder, but his slight frame means he may not be able to hold his position on the block.

Ashton Hagans, G, (6-3, 190 lbs)

Hagans looks like the next Calipari point guard. He will have to share time in the backcourt with Quade Green, who is likely the better 3-point shooter. Hagans is bigger than the 6-1 Green and may have better court vision, so he will certainly see minutes with the Wildcats. The winner of the Georgia Player of the Year and Mr. Georgia Basketball averaged 20.2 points, 10.7 assists, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.6 steals as a high school senior.

His passing talents are on display in the video from the Adidas Summer Championships. He can make the correct read in transition. Hagans can also penetrate and dish in halfcourt sets and is quick enough to get past almost any defender. Hagans and Green probably won't play together much since they would give up too much size. If they both remain healthy, the point guards will cannibalize each other's value.

Immanuel Quickley, G, (6-3, 185 lbs)

Quickley may also work himself into the point guard rotation, although he appears to be more of a shoot-first player (as seen below in his McDonald's All-American highlights). The 6-3 guard has a nice looking 3-point shot and can also attack the basket. He is about the same size as Hagans, which is somewhat undersized for Calipari guards. Whereas Hagans appears to be more of a pass-first player, Quickley is looking to score when he uses his dribble-drive to get into the paint.

Of the three guards, Quickley seems to be the best bet to play shooting guard and he will have to learn how to play without dominating the ball. If Calipari chooses to press, Quickley should be able to pester opposing ball handlers. If the Wildcats go small, the three guards could fly around the court and challenge every dribble and pass.

Tyler Herro, G, (6-5, 192 lbs)

Johnson and Quickley look like they will develop into fine perimeter shooters, but Herro has a very fluid stroke. The native of suburban Milwaukee makes his way to Kentucky after averaging 32.9 points and was named to the All-State first team. He hit 43.5 percent of his 3-pointers as a senior. Herro also averaged 7.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 3.3 steals, but he will likely get on the court for the Wildcats as a 3-point sniper.

With so many players ahead of him on the depth chart, Herro might only get reserve minutes. He will likely have moments where he is able to get on the court and make treys in bunches, but his highlights might come in the first half of the season. When the Wildcats enter SEC play, Herro may be more of a match up play when Calipari wants to loosen the opposing defense by raining 3-pointers.