Kentucky Wildcats Basketball: John Calipari's Ideal 2013 Recruiting Class

John Calipari at the Nike Global Challenge.
Evan Habeeb-US PRESSWIRE

In the past three years, John Calipari has scored better recruits than any other college coach in the country. His dominance on the recruiting trail keeps Kentucky fans confident that each recruiting class will be one of the best in the nation.

The 2013 class for the Kentucky Wildcats has been hyped up as one of the best recruiting classes ever. But, as of this writing, only one high school senior has committed to Calipari: Derek Willis.

Nothing against Willis, but his commitment alone will not take the Kentucky class to the top.You can bank on at least two players leaving the Wildcats for the NBA after the 2012-13 campaign, which will leave a hole (one that Big Blue Nation is used to seeing) in the Kentucky roster.

Here are the ideal set of players to join Willis in Lexington to fill the Kentucky roster in 2013-14.

Aaron and Andrew Harrison

Image via SportingNews.com (AP Photo)

There's no helping you if you haven't heard of the Harrison twins by now. The backcourt brothers, Aaron and Andrew, are what most Kentucky fans think will be he highlight of the 2013 recruiting class.

With Andrew at the point and Aaron at shooting guard, Kentucky would instantly have one of the best backcourts in the nation. 

Their recruitment is far from over, however, with Maryland joining Kentucky as the presumed co-leader for the twins' services.

A "2013 Dream Class" for the Wildcats cannot be discussed without the Harrison twins. Behind Andrew, Kentucky has not recruited any other point guards in the 2013 class. His brother may be the best shooter in the class.

Two-for-one doesn't get any better than the Harrison twins.

James Young

James Young (12) has a versatile offensive game.
Evan Habeeb-US PRESSWIRE

James Young has said nothing bad about the University of Kentucky. 

He wants to be one-and-done.

Like it or not, that's the state of recruiting right now: Players want to go where they can play immediately for one year and jump to the NBA. No school offers a better mix of playing time, exposure, championship potential and an NBA-style team than Kentucky.

Young knows this as well as anyone else.

Young told Adam Zagoria that he is "...just looking for my best college, the one that’s going to get me one-and-done and give me the best opportunity to get out there."

For the 2013-14 team, Young would likely start at small forward, with the Harrison twins playing the two guard positions. At 6'6", he'd be tough for bigger forwards to stop. 

Young is a matchup nightmare at the high school level, and his dominance should carry over to the college game.

Aaron Gordon

Image via C2CRecruiting.com

The one wildcard for the Kentucky Wildcats in the 2013 recruiting race is Aaron Gordon.

He draws comparisons to Blake Griffin with his overwhelming athleticism and effort. 

The one negative: He plays the same position as Julius Randle.

But who's to say they couldn't coexist? Both are athletic freaks of nature, and players with their skill can guard any position. 

Gordon told Sporting News he will take his time with his recruitment to see how each domino falls and make an educated decision in the spring. Kentucky should be in the mix for Gordon's signature, regardless of who commits to Calipari by that time.

Julius Randle

Image via 24/7 Sports.

Much has been made of the rivalry between the Harrison twins and Julius Randle. 

First, rumors were started saying Randle wouldn't go to Kentucky if the Harrison twins committed to Coach Calipari.

Those rumors were dispelled by Randle and his coach, Scott Pospichal, who told Next Cats, "I don't think there are issues there. At the end of the day, there’s mutual respect around people who have accomplishments. Doesn’t mean there’s love, but there’s respect. And respect goes a long way."

The three Texas stars would make an incredible class on their own. Throw in James Young and Aaron Gordon, and you've got a starting lineup made of All-Americans and top ten recruits.

Dominic Woodson

Image via NY2LASports.com

According to NY2LA Sports, Dominic Woodson will be visiting the Kentucky campus this weekend:

 

2013 Center Dominic Woodson from Round Rock, TX is scheduled to visit Kentucky this weekend along with Derek Willis who's already committed

— NY2LASPORTS.COM (@ny2lasports) September 6, 2012

Woodson, like Derek Willis, is not a top ten prospect. He's ranked 78th in the ESPN 100.

But don't write off this center. Woodson won't be one-and-done, but he'll continue the recruiting pipeline from Texas to Lexington for the 2013 class. With Aaron and Andrew Harrison, Julius Randle and Woodson, Kentucky would have a stellar class from the state of Texas alone.

Woodson would provide stability for the Wildcats down low in 2013. He wouldn't start with this "ideal" class, but would be a great option off of the bench. Woodson could be the Kentucky center of the future.