The number 3 ranked player in the class of 2014 and the number 1 point guard overall announced his college destination during the Elite 24 on ESPNU. Emmanuel Mudiay will attend SMU and play for coach Larry Brown. He also said that he would be playing with his brother who is currently in the Juco ranks, not really sure what he meant by that, but I guess we will find out.
This is something that Kentucky fans aren't used to seeing happen very often. When Calipari wants a certain kid, he more than likely ends up getting said kid, especially a point guard of Mudiay's caliber. This makes twice Cal has come up empty on a recruit he really wanted, Andrew Wiggins being the first.
Since Mudiay's announcement, some sports writers have been saying that this will make SMU a "legit contender" next season. Now look, I'm not saying Mudiay isn't a great player, in fact great may be an understatement. The kid is DAMN GOOD, but to say that him and another McD's All American they have this year (can't remember the kids name and don't care to look it up) is going to make them a "legit contender" is beyond insane. I think the reason for that assumption is because most people who cover sports wants Larry Brown to succeed and he very well may, but it's going to take a couple more players on Mudiay's level to make them a contender.
Mudiay's abilities is being compared to John Wall and that's probably a fair assessment, but do you think if the only two players Cal landed when he first arrived in Lexington was John Wall and Eric Bledsoe that they would've been half as good as they actually were? NO. It took an entire team of future NBA players and they still couldn't reach the Final Four and that is something SMU doesn't have. Not saying they won't eventually have it, but as of right now, they don't.
Regardless, congratulations to Emmanuel Mudiay, we wish him nothing but the best at SMU
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