Kentucky boasts four of CBS Sports' top-100 players in college basketball

A team projected to win the Southeastern Conference has to be loaded with top-end talent, right? CBS Sports agrees, as the outlet listed four Kentucky players in its top-100 rankings entering the 2021-22 season.

In CBS Sports’ breakdown of the top 100 players in all of college basketball, UK had four players included in the top 70 and two in the top 50.

Keion Brooks Jr. led the way at No. 39 overall, followed by Kellan Grady at No. 46, Oscar Tshiebwe at No. 58, and TyTy Washington at No. 70. Interestingly enough, preseason All-SEC guard Sahvir Wheeler did not make the list, and neither did Davion Mintz, Kentucky’s leading scorer from a season ago.

Still, though, four players in the top 100 isn’t too shabby, even with just one inside the top 40.

39. Keion Brooks Jr.

“On a John Calipari-coached Kentucky team that by any measure is old and experienced, Brooks Jr. is the Wildcats most experienced player,” said CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone. “He emerged as a leader for UK as a sophomore amidst a turbulent season and after missing the first nine games of the campaign, helped guide Kentucky with a steadying presence averaging 10.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in 16 appearances.”

46. Kellan Grady.

“Longtime readers of this list will recognize Grady’s presence, as he’s here for the third straight season,” said Matt Norlander. “A Davidson grad transfer, we expect Grady (14.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg) to be the most prominent perimeter player for a retooled Kentucky roster that needed 3-point threats more than a cow needs grass. Grady is a 36% 3-point shooter on 644 attempts in four seasons.”

58. Oscar Tshiebwe

“Sure, Kentucky is coming off one of its worst seasons ever. But check our rankings and you’ll see that UK is once again well-stocked with great players,” said Norlander. “Tshiebwe (career: 10.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 27.2 PER) was a borderline top-10 freshman two years ago, then things went sideways in a hurry last year at West Virginia. Now a junior, he’s positioned to be one of the best rebounders and most intimidating presences in the sport.”

70. TyTy Washington

“You may be wondering where the Kentucky freshmen are on a list like this. Usually good for at least two, right? Not this year,” said Norlander. “Washington is the lone UK newcomer to crack our 101, and he’ll be tasked with sharing lead guard duties alongside Georgia transfer Sahvir Wheeler. Washington was the No. 14-rated player in the 2021 class, per 247 Sports, but we anticipate he’ll easily be one of the 10 best freshmen by March.”

Among the other notable names on the list:

• 1. Drew Timme (Gonzaga)
• 2. Kofi Cockburn (Illinois)
• 3. Paolo Banchero (Duke)
• 4. Johnny Juzang (UCLA)
• 5. Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga)
• 13. Marcus Carr (Texas)
• 14. Jahvon Quinerly (Alabama)
• 18. Armando Bacot (UNC)
• 19. Emoni Bates (Memphis)
• 20. Kennedy Chandler (Tennessee)
• 27. Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Milwaukee)
• 35. Scotty Pippen Jr. (Vanderbilt)
• 36. Jalen Duren (Memphis)
• 44. Jabari Smith (Auburn)
• 50. Mark Williams (Duke)
• 51. Chris Lykes (Arkansas)
• 60. Jaden Shackelford (Alabama)
• 63. Garrison Brooks (Mississippi State)
• 65. Walker Kessler (Auburn)
• 66. Iverson Molinar (Mississippi State)
• 98. JD Davison (Alabama)

You can find the complete list here.

What do you think of the rankings? Should Kentucky’s players be higher on the list? Were Wheeler and Mintz snubbed?