John Calipari wants Aaron Bradshaw to stretch the floor, possibly play the 3

Aaron Bradshaw is arguably the most versatile seven-footer in all of high school basketball. He’s agile, long (and skinny), and mobile for someone his size, capable of protecting the rim and moving his feet on the perimeter. His offensive game has blossomed significantly over the last year, adding post moves and a reliable outside jumper to his arsenal. He can even bring the ball up the court in a pinch. Bradshaw calls himself a “new-time big”, someone who can stretch the floor, bang in the post, and defend all areas of the floor.

While still raw, he’s the ideal mold of what you look for in a modern-day center.

When he arrives at Kentucky this summer as a five-star freshman, he’ll be expected to play a significant role in 2023-24 — regardless of what happens with the rest of the Wildcats roster throughout the offseason. Projected first-round NBA Draft picks typically don’t ride the bench. With the odds of Oscar Tshiebwe forgoing another college season in Lexington becoming larger than not, a gap in the frontcourt will present itself for Bradshaw to fill.

Bradshaw says he’s watched plenty of film on Tshiebwe’s rebounding tactics, but he’s also the complete opposite style of player. One is a bruiser in the paint who uses sheer strength and will to make his impact, while the other likes to get involved inside and out. During Media Day on Tuesday at the McDonald’s All-American event, Bradshaw said that he intends to stretch the floor once he suits up for Kentucky.

In fact, that’s what head coach John Calipari is telling him will happen.

“(Calipari) told me I got to stretch the floor. I’m not an old-time big, I’m a new-time big,” Bradshaw told reporters. “I like to stretch the floor, shoot, dribble. He just told me to stay consistent and be who you are.”

Bradshaw: "I'm not an old-time big, I'm a new-time big. I like to stretch the floor, shoot, dribble." https://t.co/3TXHkr59Au

— Jacob Polacheck (@PolacheckKSR) March 27, 2023

For fans of analytics, that’ll be music to their ears. Bradshaw wants to shoot threes and score right around the basket, and it appears Calipari is encouraging him to do that — or, at least right now he is. Kentucky fans have seen this movie before, with Karl-Anthony Towns being the prime example of an efficient floor spacer who was limited to playing inside the arc during his one season as a Wildcat.

But after another early exit from the NCAA Tournament from a roster built around a non-shooting big man, this would certainly be the time to let Bradshaw be Bradshaw, especially if his outside jumper proves to be a legitimate threat. Even on the defensive end of the court, Bradshaw should have more freedom than Tshiebwe, who was constantly picked on in pick-and-roll schemes, did.

Bradshaw says that Calipari is telling him he’ll have to defend opposing guards in certain situations, possibly even moving up a position or two to play the “3” or “4”.

“(Calipari) said I’m gonna have to guard guards because I’m gonna be a guard, I’m gonna be the 3, 4,” Bradshaw added. “I’m gonna have to guard fast people, strong people. I have to be ready for that, so I might as well start now.”

While that quote might not be music to the ears of most Kentucky fans, Bradshaw is going to prepare for that possibility no matter how it plays out. He’s been studying the likes of former Wildcat Anthony Davis, Dennis Rodman, and Dikembe Mutombo — three of the greatest defenders to ever play the game of basketball. Even at 7-foot-1, Bradshaw would benefit from learning how to defend smaller guards, particularly in preparation for the next level where that’ll be more necessary than not.

As for playing the “3” on offense? Well, we’ll just have to see it to believe it.

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