The Rich Get Richer: Josh Selby to Kansas, Doron Lamb to Kentucky

Coming into Saturday night's annual Jordan Brand Classic Game, two prized recruits were expected to announce where they would be attending college and playing basketball: the top unsigned recruit Josh Selby (No. 5 in ESPNU 150 and pictured) and Doron Lamb (No. 29 in the ESPNU 150).

The two bright stars went in two totally different directions in announcing their decisions; Selby spent most of the week into Friday deciding on where he would play basketball before deciding to play with Bill Self in Jayhawk Country.

On the flip-side, Lamb, a New York City product and Oak Hill soon-to-be alum, has just wanted to increase the hype around himself and keep us fans guessing where he would end up.

Eventually, he had to announce where he would be attending school, and that will be Kentucky.

As a very firm follower of recruiting and especially this recruiting class, neither of these signings surprised me. Actually, it was kind of expected.

"I think that's the best place for me to mature and get to the next level," Selby said.

"[Coach Bill Self] kind of reminds me of myself. He's very outgoing, a good coach, and he's going to get the job done."

Selby will have huge shoes to fill with key departures of many Jayhawks, but most importantly, point guard Sherron Collins. Collins, Cole Aldrich, and Xavier Henry have all left Bill Self in somewhat of a rebuilding phase; however, with the addition of Selby, along with the Morris twins, Kansas should still compete in the Big 12 and on the national level.

In my opinion, Josh Selby could emerge as the best player in this recruiting class. Then again, I'm crazy about the guy.

Kansas, don't worry, you have a successor to the great Sherron Collins, even if it is a short stint, which will probably be yet another one-and-done player.

This was his response to how long he would be in Lawrence: "God willing, one year," Selby said. "But I have to get where I need to be."

As for Kentucky and coach John Calipari, it seems like the dominoes are falling into effect as Lamb follows the top-ranked recruit, Brandon Knight, to Kentucky, along with the top player in the 2011 class, Mike Gilchrist.

Many have criticized Calipari's ways of coaching and recruiting with one-and-done players, but he continues to prove he can get the best of the best to his program, whether it be Massachusetts, Memphis, or Kentucky.

Lamb will fit right in alongside Knight as they both will probably anchor the backcourt of the historic Rupp Arena, just like talented freshmen John Wall and Eric Bledsoe did this past season.

Another year, and it looks to be another contending season for the Wildcats in Lexington. Doron Lamb seems to think the same thing as he said this following his announcement: "I love the coaching staff. I think next year we're going to be a team to beat."

Like Selby and other phenomenal youngsters throughout the college basketball world, Lamb's decision came in large part to his professional future, and Calipari has proved he knows what the NBA wants and how to get his players ready. Prime examples are Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans, as they have both taken the NBA by storm in their short professional terms, hailing from Memphis.

"[Calipari] gets guys in the league, and you know he's good with the guards," Lamb said. "I am looking forward to next year, him helping me with my guard skills, and hopefully I can make my dream come true."

Both these national powerhouses lost key players, but once again they continue to rebuild; don't be surprised to see more recruits commit to both Kansas and Kentucky as the signing period advances.

They may have lost key players, but the rich get richer this year, as arguably the two top programs in the country regain more strength heading into next season.

For more info on the college basketball recruiting, as well as other college basketball news, follow Garrett Tucker on Twitter @GTuckersports.