Three of Kentucky's four men's basketball signees (the fourth, Michael...

[Caveman Catfan]

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/sports/colleges/university_of_kentucky/14340005.htm

[Coldstream]

Another tidbit about the 3 not in the article:

All 3 will be in summer school (June) to start working out.

[trublue4life]

Coldstream wrote: Another tidbit about the 3 not in the article:

All 3 will be in summer school (June) to start working out.



That's huge. Will Porter be here in June as well? I'm actualy quite excited about this class and going into the season knowing Morris is available the entire year and with Jared in the weight room and the new strength coach...well, let's just say that my usual sense of optimism is somewhat elevated:).

[jrodw8]

If Jasper is hear in June learning the system, I hope Ramel is ready for a catfight for the point gaurd position. I really like his athleticism and basketball smarts combo, alot of guys tend to be one or the other, butwhen a guy has both, they tend to be superstars. I certainly hope this is the case, because a good competion for lead gaurd can only make both guys better....jmo.

[DCWildcat]

jrodw8 wrote: If Jasper is hear in June learning the system, I hope Ramel is ready for a catfight for the point gaurd position. I really like his athleticism and basketball smarts combo, alot of guys tend to be one or the other, butwhen a guy has both, they tend to be superstars. I certainly hope this is the case, because a good competion for lead gaurd can only make both guys better....jmo.
Agreed.

In my opinion, there is a very good chance Jasper will start ahead of Ramel.

[Coldstream]

trublue4life wrote: Coldstream wrote: Another tidbit about the 3 not in the article:

All 3 will be in summer school (June) to start working out.



That's huge. Will Porter be here in June as well?

Here's what I found out on another board:
He is reportedly shooting 1000 shots a day, along with lifting and a plyometrics program workout. He has put on 7 pounds and looks to be in great shape and was quoted as saying he can not wait to get to UK in June.

[T75]

jrodw8 wrote: If Jasper is hear in June learning the system, I hope Ramel is ready for a catfight for the point gaurd position......
Hey, after two years of fighting Sparks and Rondo for playing time, Ramel has plenty of catfight experience for sure. I think he'll be ready. And if he's not going to start this year and getshuge minutes, he should transfer for sure---and will if he sees that kind of season coming.

[T75]

We all know that Tubby thinks of the 3-point shot more as a last resort than as a staple of a winning team. So a guard has to hit lots of them in order to shoot freely on a Tubbyteam. I don't know much about his athleticism and how well he can create his own shot---important since our Cats don't set pics and help good shooters who are slow of foot get open---but Porter hit almost 40% of his threes last season. If he doesn't lose his confidence in his shot as so many do, he could be as big a catch as Meeks or Jasper---or perhaps even bigger?

Anybody know anything about Porter's athleticism, quickness?

[Coldstream]

T75 wrote: We all know that Tubby thinks of the 3-point shot more as a last resort than as a staple of a winning team. So a guard has to hit lots of them in order to shoot freely on a Tubbyteam. I don't know much about his athleticism and how well he can create his own shot---important since our Cats don't set pics and help good shooters who are slow of foot get open---but Porter hit almost 40% of his threes last season. If he doesn't lose his confidence in his shot as so many do, he could be as big a catch as Meeks or Jasper---or perhaps even bigger?

Anybody know anything about Porter's athleticism, quickness?


Other than reading accounts of his play against HS competition, its hard to gauge just how much athletiscm, quickness Porter may have since he didn't play in the summer leagues/camps. However, one little fact gives me hope that he may be a very underrated player coming in: He was recruited by USC as a FS in football. That's USC Trojans, not Gamecocks.

I was really hoping to see him play in the Derby Classics so those in attendance could give their impressions of him. Looks like we'll have to sit tight until the first practice before we know just how good he may be. :?

[ukbob]

I watched the football videoes of Porter in HS. All you have to know about his athleticism is shown there. The kid was AMAZING and it is no wonder he got looks from USC and others.

Until I am proven wrong, I will still go on record as saying Porter will have a big impact on our team...if not next year, then definitely the year after. SLEEPER!!!

[Caveman Catfan]

T75 wrote: We all know that Tubby thinks of the 3-point shot more as a last resort than as a staple of a winning team.



Is that why UK shot more and made more than any other team in the SEC?

Seriously, if it is a last resort, why does UK shoot so many?????

[Terry L. Wildcat]

ukbob wrote: I watched the football videoes of Porter in HS. All you have to know about his athleticism is shown there. The kid was AMAZING and it is no wonder he got looks from USC and others.

Until I am proven wrong, I will still go on record as saying Porter will have a big impact on our team...if not next year, then definitely the year after. SLEEPER!!!

ukbob, I'll go on record too as I have nothing to lose;)...Michael sounds like a great backup point guard to me and one that can shoot the three...he will be a factor.

[Doug Hardin]

I don't know if anyone else will admit this, and I hope this doesn't make me a racist, but after hearing about how great of an athlete Porter is (didn't USC offer him a scholarship to play safety?), my first reaction when I saw his picture was, "What? Michael Porter is white?"

[Chunks06]

Doug Hardin wrote: I don't know if anyone else will admit this, and I hope this doesn't make me a racist, but after hearing about how great of an athlete Porter is (didn't USC offer him a scholarship to play safety?), my first reaction when I saw his picture was, "What? Michael Porter is white?"

Same reaction unfortunately. Interesting post on different site by someone who has seen Porter play several times and not a UK fan. Kirk is Kirk Hinrich by the way.



in H.S. I saw Kirk play about 15 times when I was living in Iowa. I then moved to Modesto and was able to see Porter about 5 or 6 times. Biggest thing in common is that they are the son of a coach. You are getting a steal with Porter who is rated a 2* by Rivals, which is a joke. He runs a team better than about any H.S. player I have seen. You people are going to love this kid.

[RCS]

I hope both Porter and Jasper can be far enough along that they get the bulk of the PG minutes. I think Bradley is much better suited at SG. He just does not see the court all that well nor is he a great passer. We had that last year and it was a disaster. It will be a nice change to have PGs that can run a team. Unfortunatly it is looking like we are going to see Crawford back at SF since I think you have to get Bradley and Crawford both on the court. Yuck.

[poodoo]

Chunks06 wrote: Doug Hardin wrote: I don't know if anyone else will admit this, and I hope this doesn't make me a racist, but after hearing about how great of an athlete Porter is (didn't USC offer him a scholarship to play safety?), my first reaction when I saw his picture was, "What? Michael Porter is white?"

Same reaction unfortunately. Interesting post on different site by someone who has seen Porter play several times and not a UK fan. Kirk is Kirk Hinrich by the way.



in H.S. I saw Kirk play about 15 times when I was living in Iowa. I then moved to Modesto and was able to see Porter about 5 or 6 times. Biggest thing in common is that they are the son of a coach. You are getting a steal with Porter who is rated a 2* by Rivals, which is a joke. He runs a team better than about any H.S. player I have seen. You people are going to love this kid.



Thanks for sharing, Chunks06.I just posted on another thread that Michael Porter may well end up surprising some folks. As I said there, wouldn't that be nice! :)