Nerlens Noel to Kentucky: Prized Big Man Set to Become Next Anthony Davis

Nerlens Noel's hair told us on Wednesday that he would be signing with defending national champion Kentucky, as college basketball coaches everywhere had disturbing flashbacks of Anthony Davis.

Noel, who shaved "UK" into the back of his flattop, is almost too similar to Davis. He's a premier shot-blocker and defender, and he has the explosiveness to be a terror in the paint and on the glass. Even his size (6'10", 215 pounds) is nearly identical to that of Davis.

Noel may not have "shocked the world" with his decision to sign with Kentucky, as he had tweeted, but his instant impact on the floor will undoubtedly shock his upcoming foes.

Noel needs to improve his perimeter shooting, but he should excel in his freshman season with even a modest improvement in that department. Kentucky head coach John Calipari used Davis last season in a similar way as he will likely use Noel next season: Feed him in the post and simply marvel at his ability to change games with his low-post defense.

If point guard Marquis Teague stays in school, that will make Noel even more dangerous, because he will have plenty of opportunities to finish at the rim with Teague penetrating the lane. Noel will also be joined by Top 15 recruits Alex Poythress and Archie Goodwin, two wing players who will help take the pressure off Noel.

Like Davis, Noel can be the best player on the floor without even scoring. His defensive ability is just that good. You have to believe he was watching that National Championship Game against Kansas and imagining himself in Davis' shoes.

ESPN declared after Noel's announcement on Wednesday that Kentucky now has the top recruiting class in the nation, ahead of Arizona and UCLA (the Bruins just landed No. 2 recruit Shabazz Muhammad). After a season complete with freshmen Davis, Teague and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, it's almost as if Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist's inevitable departures to the NBA won't even matter.

Just when college basketball thought it never had to face Anthony Davis again, his clone in Nerlens Noel comes along.

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