Nerlens Noel: Kentucky's New Superstar Must Win National Title to Be a Success

Top high school basketball recruit Nerlens Noel has made his decision to play at the University of Kentucky. Now he has to deal with the pressure that comes along with it. 

Based on ESPN's scouting report, Noel sounds like the next Anthony Davis on defense. He has great leaping ability and can block shots like very few players around the country. 

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An absolutely incredible shot blocker with uncanny defensive instincts. Noel has good size, length, and quick bounce to go along with precise timing and incredible mobility and agility. He is like a one-man zone with his ability to protect the basket inside the paint but is also a threat to fly out to the perimeter and erase mistakes when the situations warrants.

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Playing for Kentucky, especially after what the team did this past year, the only way that Noel can make his mark at the program is to win a championship. 

Noel is going to be under even more intense scrutiny because he is going to be taking the spot presumably vacated by Anthony Davis. While Davis has not yet declared for the NBA draft, it would be a surprise if he didn't. 

Under John Calipari, the Wildcats have made a habit out of reloading with great recruiting classes and one-and-done superstars who carry the team deep in the NCAA tournament. 

Certainly, Noel fits that bill. He is regarded as one of the three best high school players in the country and can be an impact player right away. 

Making an impact, however, is not going to be good enough. The only expectation that fans in Kentucky have for this program is to win a national championship. Players like Noel are the reason that the state has so much optimism, year after year. 

Noel can't just be a great player who takes Kentucky to an Elite Eight or Final Four. He has to keep the program playing at the highest level in college basketball in order to be deemed a success. That pressure is going to make or break him during his tenure with the Wildcats, however long or short that might be. 

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