John Calipari says 2016 ‘could be best class ever’

Is it possible that John Calipari could be on the verge of signing his best recruiting class ever?

Well, according to an ESPNU College Basketball podcast he participated in Tuesday, he thinks so.

“This year’s recruiting class, where we’re in the middle of right now, could be one of our best ever,” Calipari said. “The kids that I’m seeing, that we’re involved with, that I feel really good about. This could be our best class ever. And that’s a pretty scary statement coming from who we’ve been able to recruit over the last 25 years.”

Kentucky is pursuing several players ranked among the top 10 in the ESPN 100 for 2016 — 6-foot-10 Harry Giles (No. 1), 6-8 Josh Jackson (No. 3), 6-2 Dennis Smith Jr. (No. 4), 6-3 Malik Monk (No. 5), 6-5 Kobi Simmons (No. 6), and 6-7 Miles Bridges (No. 7).

Kentucky’s current 2016 class already consists of 6-foot-8 forward Tai Wynyard, who led New Zealand to gold in the FIBA U18 3×3 World Championship in June.

Jamal Murray, a silver medalist with Team Canada at the Pan American Games in Toronto last week, could have been a part of this 2016 class, too, but he reclassified to suit up right away and play next season for the Wildcats.

Another possible 2016 target is Calipari’s son, Brad, a 6-foot point guard who is entering his senior year at the MacDuffie School in Massachusetts, located 12 miles south of where his father began his head coaching career at UMass.

If Calipari’s coaching staff can turn their recruiting efforts into commitments from a handful of some of the best players in the country this fall, it looks like Big Blue Nation will be in for a real treat for the next couple years.

Can’t get enough of Campus Sports? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to stay updated with the latest news and exclusive giveaways!

*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports

Vanderbilt-Tennessee game to be named Grits Bowl?
Vanderbilt-Tennessee game to be named Grits Bowl?