Nerlens Noel: Kentucky Commit Will Duplicate Anthony Davis' Impact

In 2011-12, the Kentucky Wildcats managed to win 32 games and a national championship, thanks in large part to the efforts of an elite shot-blocker and defender.

Say goodbye to that guy. Say hello to a guy who's a lot like him in many respects.

Anthony Davis hasn't yet declared for the NBA draft, but he will very soon. Via Kentucky sports radio host Matt Jones, ESPN's Chad Ford has said it's just a matter of time before Davis declares.

As soon as Davis does declare, new recruit Nerlens Noel can safely be penciled in as Kentucky's starting center for the 2012-13 season.

You probably didn't miss it, but in case you did, Noel committed to Kentucky on Wednesday evening during a televised special on ESPN U. Ben Roberts of the Lexington Herald-Leader has the story.

The book on Noel, according to ESPN, is that he's an "incredible shot-blocker" with "uncanny defensive instincts." He's tall and long, but he's also agile and he can get up in the air. Offensively, he's going to make a ton of highlight reels throwing down vicious dunks.

Sound like anybody we know?

The video highlights confirm everything the scouting reports have to say about Noel. You can see he has great anticipation on the defensive end of the floor, and he's a lot quicker than a young man who's 6'10" and 215 pounds has any right to be.

My first instinct is to temper my expectations when it comes to Noel's role with Kentucky in 2012-13. He'll be replacing one of the most important freshman players in the history of college basketball, so asking Noel to pick up where Davis left off is demanding a lot.

However, the tape doesn't lie. Noel's talent is real, and it looks like he has it in him to be every bit as impactful as Davis was in his freshman campaign. Noel is equal to the task of replacing Davis.

And this, of course, is great news for Kentucky. We figured John Calipari had landed a once-in-a-lifetime defensive presence when he landed Davis, but here he is with a player who projects as a Davis clone.

Calipari won't have to make any drastic changes to his system. All he has to do is plug in Noel and give him the same freedom he gave Davis.

So look for Noel to be near or at the top of the national ranks in blocked shots next season, and look for his defense to be the key cog in a Kentucky defense that is sure to rank among the country's best. It will be like Davis never left.

Nobody has to like him, but Calipari definitely knows what the heck he's doing.