Kentucky’s Skal Labissiere Is Putting Himself Back In NBA Lottery Discussion

Hype can be the beast that propels a high school prospect through the college ranks or cripples his career before he even scratches the surface of his NBA potential. Many former All-Americans prosper, but just as many fall victim to the latter. Unfortunately for the No. 22 ranked Kentucky Wildcats, Skal Labissiere played most of the season looking like a surefire disappointment.

Forget that the young forward is only 19 years old and started playing basketball in the United States in 2010. The 6-foot-11 freshman was put on a pedestal before he even committed to John Calipari’s program. Most 2016 NBA Draft boards already considered him the consensus No. 1 or at least in a battle for the position with LSU’s Ben Simmons. However, after not starting a game in over two months, Labissiere was considered an early bust.

Six points, two blocks and three rebounds for averages may have rightfully contributed to that narrative, but coach Calipari was not without blame. He spent most of the season putting Labissiere in the post even though his forward was billed as the prototypical breed of new NBA big men — long, athletic, defensive minded and able to stretch the floor with the long range shot.

Coach Cal’s decision to go against the grain is one that had Kentucky looking like they finally failed with a big after having years with the likes of DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, Nerlens Noel and Karl-Anthony Towns. Even Calipari had to call the gameplan a “mistake.” But Saturday saw Labissiere square up and not only take the jump shot — against LSU — but want the jump shot.

After a two game total of shooting 13-for-20 and averaging 15 points, nine rebounds and four blocks, Labissiere looks poised to work himself back into the lottery discussion throughout March Madness.