LOOK: Adou Thiero pushing toward 46-inch vertical

There’s not a bigger wildcard on the Kentucky basketball roster than soon-to-be sophomore Adou Thiero. It’s not just about his ability or potential, but just the unknown of what he is as a basketball player.

Officially listed at 6-6, 200 pounds as a freshman, doctors told the Leetsdale, PA native he still had “three to five inches left” of growth in him, he said last summer. Back for year two in Lexington, Thiero may not have seen the five-inch growth spurt fans were hoping for, but early pictures indicate he still sprouted up a touch — maybe an inch or so?

Great to see my friend, the iconic living legend Clem Haskins, who stopped by camp today to say hello.

He’s from Taylor County, went to Western and was a three-time All-American before being drafted in the first round when there were only ten teams! He later coached at Western… pic.twitter.com/U9sIfOzpQt

— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) June 3, 2023

That’s the excitement in Thiero’s long-term future as a Wildcat. He signed on as a combo guard prospect out of high school, but John Calipari experimented with him as a small-ball four at times in his debut season, looking for ways to utilize his unique physical tools as a long, strong mismatch piece. He would go on to average 2.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 9.7 minutes per contest.

What position will he play as a sophomore? And what does his potential look like moving forward?

Or how about a new one: would a 46-inch vertical complicate things?

That’s right, 46 inches. Thiero has been building toward that goal this offseason, working with Jason Jerome of the Pittsburgh Penguins — he’s the NHL franchise’s Director of Performance Training — to improve his physical testing.

Working with one of the best in the business Jason Jerome push @Adou_Thiero vertical to 46 inches #BBN pic.twitter.com/WRYHr4X7sR

— Almamy Thiero (@ThieroAlmamy) May 30, 2023

For those keeping track at home, the NBA record for best vertical leap at the Draft Combine is 48.0 inches, set by former Tennessee wing Keon Johnson.

And it’s not just about physical development for Thiero this offseason; he’s also been working on his craft as a pure shooter. His father, Almamy Thiero, shared some footage of his son on social media this past week:

@Adou_Thiero keep grinding pic.twitter.com/fC3w012BZa

— Almamy Thiero (@ThieroAlmamy) June 2, 2023

@Adou_Thiero pic.twitter.com/kRdKDaQmlC

— Prospects Basketball (@prospectsbball) May 28, 2023

What are your expectations for Thiero in year two? Is he on breakthrough watch as a sophomore?