Nerlens Picks Kentucky
Wednesday was the biggest day of the recruiting year, not just because it marked the opening of the late signing period, but also because the nation’s top two players, Nerlens Noel and Shabazz Muhammad, both announced their decisions live on ESPNU.
After Muhammad announced for UCLA at 7:30, the stage was set for the top ranked player in the class of 2012 to make his announcement, and at 8:45 Noel did just that, picking the Wildcats live in the ESPNU studios by turning to reveal the UK logo etched into the back of his now famous flattop.
"Coach Cal recruited me real hard. He is a good person who cares about his players, he helps them reach their goals and the team's goals," Noel said. "They play as a unit and are very unselfish. Also the fans were incredible on my visit. They are behind the program 100 percent."
Noel joins 6’7” small forward Alex Polythress (13th overall), 6’5” shooting guard Archie Goodwin (15th overall), and fellow big man Willie Cauley (40th overall) to give head coach John Calipari his fourth straight top ranked recruiting class in the country.
Noel has had a storied career starring for Everett High School, the Tilton School, and the BABC, winning countless championships and individual awards, all while establishing himself as one of the preeminent shot-blockers and defensive players in recent memory.
Now the challenge becomes even more daunting as he’ll be asked to replace Anthony Davis, who is expected to be the top pick in this year’s NBA Draft, and lead Kentucky in defending their national championship.
Nerlens Noel