Prospect Profile

Strengths:
*Great run-jump athlete
*Warrior mentality/Big-time competitor
*Explosive getting to the basket
*Exceptional rebounder

Weaknesses:
*Jump shot has small hitch that leads to inconsistency

NBA projection:
By many accounts, MKG is the second-best player available in the draft behind Kentucky teammate Anthony Davis. He’ll excel at the next level because of his superior athleticism, but just as important, his will to compete. If he can smooth out the mechanics of his jump shot, he’ll be a tough guy to guard, because he can already get to the rim with explosive authority.

2011-12 Season:
It was apparent before Kentucky even played its first game that Kidd-Gilchrist deserved to start, even ahead of senior Darius Miller. The reason was his rare competitive drive for a player so young, but also because he was capable of having monster games, like the 24-point, 19-rebound performance he laid on Louisville in the regular-season matchup between the two state rivals. MKG ended up on the All-SEC first team and he was also a no-brainer pick for the league’s All-Freshman team. In the NCAA Tournament, he was chosen MOP of the South Regional and to the All-Final Four team.

Key statistics:
11.9 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.9 apg, 2.2 tpg, 1.0 spg, 0.9 bpg, 31.1 mpg, .491 FG, .255 3PT, .745 FT

Cool statistic:
When MKG scored 17 points in the first half against Baylor in the NCAA Tournament South Regional finals, it marked the eighth time during the season he had reached double-figures in the first 20 minutes.

Reminds me of:
Andre Inguodala.

What Insiders Say:
Kentucky coach John Calipari
“He’s like Anthony Davis, when he makes a play he doesn’t say anything. Every rough rebound, every loose ball, every tough defensive assignment he gets and everyone else shoots all the shots.”

What Outsiders Say:
Georgia coach Mark Fox
“When you’ve got Kidd-Gilchrist at the three, with the size of a power forward, defensively, they just overpower you.”
 

-- Profile by Chris Dortch, editor of the Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook. Follow him @cdortch.