Anthony Davis Jr Helps Form The College Version Of The Miami Heat's Trio

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Photo Credits to ESPN.com

Well all know for sure that Anthony Davis Jr will be attending Kentucky. There was speculation that his decision was going to happen as early as Tuesday. Today was the day if you asked his father. He decided to let the press know that his son was committing to play for the Kentucky Wildcats.

It is not surprising to many, but it certainly did surprise me. I thought he would stay in his hometown and play basketball with Oliver Purnell.

My notion was inaccurate, and Davis Jr decided Kentucky was better suited for him.

Davis Jr impressed a lot this summer with his impressive length and upside. He can play just about every position on the floor, except point guard because his ball-handling is still a work in progress.

Either way, his commitment to Kentucky has arisen one of the best freshman  classes I've seen. Note that I also witnessed John Wall, Eric Bledsoe, DeMarcus Cousin and Daniel Orton.

What separates this class from the preceding class is the star power. They have arguably the top three players in the class. To make it seem even better, the No. 1 point guard, small forward and arguably the best power forward.

In his 'John Calipari' ways, I expect more talented players to attend the University of Kentucky in '11-12.

Now, if you follow CoHoops, you know that I explained how much Kentucky needed Davis Jr. I said, if he committed to the program, I believe they will be able to compete on a national level.

Davis Jr, Marquis Teague, and Michael Gilchrist sound like the best trio in College Basketball. Three well in-depth scorers, leaders and athletes with tremendous upside.

It almost reminds me of the Miami Heat trio . Davis Jr and Gilchrist are almost the same players. Each can be a double-double guy on a given night, a leader, scorer or just anything you ask for.

Davis Jr will be the post threat, while Gilchrist creates havoc on the wing. Teague will lead the offense and make sure things go as planned. 

Similiar to the team that went to the National Championship with Calipari at Memphis, these three inherit essential qualities and Kentucky will have fire power in the post, on the wing and in the backcourt.

That all sounds like the winning formula to me. I expect  to see Kentucky run deep in the 2011-12 NCAA Tournament. They are ill-suited for the long run and will make it.

Do not assume the recruiting stops here, it has only just begun.


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Mikhail Torrance To Play For The Miami Heat Summer League Team

It's not always promised that you will hear your name on draft night. 

Some players have to wish their name is called and Mikhail Torrance had to do just that.

He is 6-foot-5 and thought of as a combo-guard. 

Despite the good workouts and great shooting, nobody really saw him as a draft prospect. At best, he could make it in the second round and get chosen by the Pacers.

Unfortunately for him, they were all right and he was given the cold shoulder. 

Throughout the 60-picks, he went without hearing his name even spoke of. He thought he went un-drafted because of his heart condition.

They may play a factor, but a lot of teams really don't see the potential in the guard.

However, the Miami Heat has given the combo-guard a chance to prove himself. He is going to be set up in a perfect situation. 

The Heat is most likely going to place him at the point guard position. He will be playing beside Dwyane Wade and other free-agents that could come to Miami this off-season.

In my opinion, Torrance was the best player snubbed on draft night. This could go down as one of the better un-drafted players in NBA history.

Watch out for Torrance and the Heat. 

Written by DeAnte Mitchell

2010 NBA Draft: Miami Heat Draft Grade

Miami Heat Draft Picks

Dexter Pittman 6'11'' Center

Dexter Pittman is a true basketball player. He came onto the Texas campus over-weight. After the coach told him he had to drop weight in order to play he got the weight off and was able to play.

He is a tremendous worker, with a very good work-ethic.

He has quick feet in the post, very defensive and can get after it on the defensive end.

Pittman is a guy that likes to play above the rim. He can throw down a lot of dunks and his large frame helps him do just that.

He seals defenders off on the glass, and goes up strong with vicious dunks.

He is also very strong on the offensive glass. The main concern is fatigue. But he has a great work-ethic so I believe he will work at that and become a huge draft steal.

Jarvis Varnado 6'9'' Power Forward

Varnado is a big time defensive stopper. He stayed in college all four years and was able to break the all-time NCAA blocks record. On top of that, he did it in a touch SEC conference that produces some of the best NBA talent.

Varnado is a great project. He isn't offensively polished but can score the ball off of alley-oops and put-backs.

De'Sean Butler 6'7'' Small Forward

Butler is a great scorer in the mid-range game. He is very effective with the ball in his hands going off a screen or in a catch in shoot situation.

He moves very well without the ball, and follows shots. He is an absolute vacuum on the offensive glass. He is always around the rim trying to get the rebounds and put-backs. A fierce competitor and huge draft steal. If it wasn't for the injury he suffered in the NCAA tournament, he would have been a lock in the first round.


Analysis:


Miami did a great job of pulling in some recruits that can help right away. With Jermaine O'neal leaving the Heat got a player that is similar in Jarvis Varnado but a lot more defensive.

To fill the wing void's that Michael Beasley have yet to prove, you bring in Butler. Butler is a fierce competitor that plays on both ends of the floor. He is committed to playing defense, just as much as offense.

Dexter Pittman is exactly the pick Miami needed. Pittman is huge inside and will work well in the pick-and-roll situations. He has soft hands around the rim and explosive leaping ability. He throws down a lot of dunks and once he gets a chance, he will be a big time player for the Heat.


Draft Grade: B


Written by DeAnte Mitchell

2010 NBA Draft: The Heat and Thunder Swap Picks

It is reported that the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Miami Heat have swapped picks.

The Thunder acquired Daequen Cook and the 18th pick, while the Heat acquired the 32nd.

The trade was officially announced today earlier by someone close to ESPN.

Cook averaged 5.0 points, 1.8 rebounds and one assist per game in his last season. This is his second year in the league and he is better known for his three-point shooting ability.

Written by DeAnte Mitchell