Kentucky basketball: 3 blue-chip recruits most likely to sign with Kentucky Wildcats

2. Top Kentucky basketball recruiting targets: Jaden Hardy, SG

There are certain types of players that seem to flow to Kentucky and athletic combo guards are one of them. Boston fills that role in 2020 and it could be Hardy’s turn to star as a Kentucky combo guard in 2021.

The 6-foot-4 guard from Henderson, NV has been heavily tied to Kentucky throughout the recruiting cycle. Hardy’s ability to create for his teammates and himself could make him a dynamic piece of Kentucky’s offense in 2021.

Calipari also loves landing lanky players who can really fill out to become defensive nightmares, which is something that Hardy should do. Hardy, who is already a tenacious rebounder for a guard, can defend both guard positions right now.

The Wildcats also have to like that Hardy is a dynamic scorer who can put the ball in the basket from the perimeter and at the rim. Hardy’s athleticism helps in that regard, but he still has room to grow as his jump shot improves.

That is a skill that Calipari and the Kentucky coaching staff can work with in order to help Hardy reach his full potential. Hardy is very likely to succeed Boston as the Wildcats’ starting shooting guard and then be off to the NBA in 2022.