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Vaught's Views: Wall in no hurry

May 13, 2009|LARRY VAUGHT

Maybe John Wall has narrowed his college list to two schools - Kentucky and Miami - or maybe he still has those two schools along with Florida and home-state Duke on his potential list.

For Kentucky, it really doesn't matter. What does matter is that the Wildcats remain in the running for the nation's top prep point guard - and UK coach John Calipari is not about to pressure him to make a decision, even if the national signing period does end May 20.

Some reports surfaced that Wall had narrowed his choices to Kentucky, the perceived leader for weeks, and Miami, the surprise team still on his list considering his talent and Miami's non-existent basketball tradition.

Scout.com recruiting analyst Evan Daniels said Wall told him nothing had changed with his recruiting.

Actually, that's no surprise, because Wall knows his scholarship offers are not going to vanish.

He's perhaps the best athlete in the recruiting class at any position. He's easily the most athletic point guard and probably the fastest guard in the country with the ball in his hand.

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Offensively, he's more of a slasher than a prolific outside shooter. However, no prep defense could keep him out of the lane, a skill that certainly would fit well in Calipari's dribble-drive offense. He's best at going to his right, but recruiting analysts say he's way above average going left as well.

His passing skills are first rate. He's creative and seems to love dishing the ball to open teammates, which certainly would make a scorer like Patrick Patterson or incoming freshman DeMarcus Cousins happy. And just think about him getting the ball to Jodie Meeks if Meeks doesn't go to the NBA and Wall comes to Kentucky.

Wall showcased his overall ability against solid competition in the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Ore., last month when he had 13 points, 11 assists and five steals in a superb all-around performance seldom seen in all-star games.

Twists and turns

However, his recruiting saga has taken a few twists. First, there was his perceived interest in putting his name into the NBA draft now. Even though Wall was the one who publicly admitted he might do that, he later said it was just a rumor and was not true.

Then late last month he was charged with misdemeanor breaking and entering after police found him walking out of a vacant house in his hometown of Raleigh, N.C. However, several sources indicate that will not be a legal hassle for him or cause any schools, including Kentucky, to back off him.

Wall won't be hesitant about coming to Kentucky, either, just because Calipari signed another highly-touted point guard, Eric Bledsoe of Alabama, last week.

Wall will be the guy to run the team whether he picks Kentucky, Miami, Florida or Duke, just as Derrick Rose did at Memphis in 2008 or others like Chris Paul did at Wake Forest before he became a NBA star.

Miami desperately needs a point guard. Florida does, too, if Nick Calathes stays in the NBA draft. Duke point guard Jon Scheyer averaged 14.9 points per game for a team that won two games in the NCAA Tournament, but the Blue Devils certainly would move Scheyer to make room for Wall.

Then there is Kentucky. Wall would not have to be a prolific scorer in Calipari's offense because the Wildcats will have plenty of weapons, especially if Meeks is back as expected. However, there's no returning point guard with big-time skills - no, DeAndre Liggins doesn't qualify - and Bledsoe is not quite the player Wall is.

That's why when the Wall saga finally does end, he'll likely be at Kentucky because he has liked Calipari for a year and there's no doubt the Cats will run Calipari's offense much, much better with him handling the ball.

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Calipari was scheduled to have a press conference this morning, but there was no indication it would be because Wall had committed or signed with Kentucky. Check our website to read what Calipari had to say.

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