SPRINGFIELD – John Calipari coached UMass for nine seasons. The current Kentucky coach usually makes the trek up to Western Mass. for the Spalding Hoophall Classic. Through four days, Calipari had not made his annual appearance, missing Kentucky commit Karl Towns’ performance on Sunday evening.
The 6-foot-11 center from St. Joseph (N.J.) is one of four Kentucky signees, and on Sunday night he was one of the headlining stars at Day 4 of the Hoophall Classic. Despite a 75-43 loss to DeMatha Catholic (Md.), Towns recorded 21 points and grabbed nine boards, displaying the versatility that made him the No. 11 recruit in the Class of 2014 according Rivals.
Later that night he ended up winning the Hoophall Classic Slam Dunk Contest.
Calipari has produced his share of talented point guards in the past – Derrick Rose, Tyreke Evans, John Wall, Brandon Knight and Marquise Teague – but he has also had success in landing highly-touted big men such as Hoophall Classic alums Anthony Davis, Nerlens Noel and Dakari Johnson.
Towns says he’d like to be a blend of past Kentucky big men.
“Coach Cal knows how I like to play,” he said. “I like to be as versatile as possible. Seems like next year, you’ll see a lot of versatility out there on the court that you saw tonight even in a loss.”
With Julius Randle and Willie Cauley-Stein – along with James Young – likely declaring for the NBA at the end of the season, the Kenutcky frontline will need production from Towns, Johnson and fellow incoming freshman Trey Lyles.
“Twin towers,” Towns said of him and Johnson. “[Dakari] is a big man, imposing on the block and everything. Then there’s me being able to step out and shoot the threes and dribble the ball. We can really be a deadly duo. Right now we’ll have to see what the future holds for him.
“Trey, come on, Trey is one of the best players in the country and me and him working together is going to be such a great duo.”
The up-and-down season from Kentucky guards Andrew and Aaron Harrison make it uncertain if they will bolt after this season and head to the draft. If that is the case, Kentucky is prepared as Towns and Lyles will be accompanied to Lexington by a pair of guards: the undersized point guard Tyler Ulis and shooting guard Devin Booker.
“Oh Tyler Ulis, he’s the ninja assassin,” Towns said. “He’s so small, but he’s just an assassin. His size deceives you a lot, he can really drop a lot of buckets, make a lot of assists, make a lot of things happen.
"Devin Booker is a lights out shooter. He's like the afroed Kyle Korver. Right now we can get some other pieces, but right now this class has the chemistry and the leadership and the motor to win a national title."
Though Towns says he isn't actively recruiting any other prospects to join Big Blue Nation with him and the three other Kentucky commits.
“I really just stay in the background and worry that all the people we have right now are in shape to have a nice run at the NCAA title,” he said.