Are We Seeing A Shift In How A Team Like Kentucky Is Recruiting With The Rumors Of Ending One And Done?

Kentucky has had a very nice week on the recruiting trail, picking up commitments from Kahlil Whitney and Dontaie Allen. Now, don’t get me wrong both guys are Kentucky-level talent, especially Whitney, who plays at Roselle Catholic in NJ. But, I’m curious to see if this is Kentucky’s way to adjust how they are going to recruit with the likelihood of the one-and-done ending? This isn’t limited just to Kentucky, but we’re talking about them here after the two recent commitments.

Now, we know all about Kentucky’s track record of recruiting. They want to go get the top guys as many years as possible and roll out the best talent. It’s been successful albeit a different way to go about college hoops. Calipari has constantly talked about embracing the one-and-done rule and we’ve seen other coaches move that way too, most notably Coach K bringing on more guys like that.

But, with the rumors of the one-and-done leaving, will Cal/K/Self/etc go for more guys like Whitney/Allen? Neither of these guys are viewed as directly to the NBA type talent even as Whitney makes his way up through the EYBL circuit and having a big time summer. Don’t get me wrong here, Calipari will continue try to get the best talent as possible whether or not that means one and done or not.

But, bringing in guys that aren’t locks for the NBA and are viewed as potential long-term college players (Allen would be the case here) is a different way to go about it. These guys are in the class of 2019 and could be the last class before the one and done rule is eliminated – at most they’d be two years out if what we’re hearing about the NBA is true.

We’re still a few years out from the one-and-done ending, but pay attention to things like this. Keep an eye on how the big names recruit for the class of 2019 and especially starting with the class of 2020. Pay attention if guys at the top of the class of 2020 or 2021 don’t commit. That would be a sign that it’s going away for sure. But, this is something that I’ll be paying attention to.