Amile Jefferson: Landing Prep Star Would Put Kentucky's Class on Par with 2011's

The Kentucky Wildcats don't rebuild, they reload. That statement will be even more true if Amile Jefferson commits to Kentucky.

The Pennsylvania prep star is still deciding between Kentucky, NC State, Duke, Villanova and Ohio State, but any time there is a star recruit up for grabs, Kentucky and John Calipari are major threats.

He is 6'9", with long arms and outstanding athleticism. He is considered a natural PF, but he has some lifting to do to make good on the "power" aspect of his natural position.

Jefferson weighs only 200 pounds at this point, but he should be able to add strength as he matures physically.

A lack of bulk didn't stop him from averaging 18 points, eight rebounds and two blocks as a junior.

Take a look at Jefferson in action:

He has a slinky hesitation to his game. Accompany that with a deceptively fast first step, nice handle and he's an impressive young scorer at the PF spot.

If he adds a more dependable jump shot, he'll go to the next level.

If the Wildcats add him to a roster that will already feature the nation's No. 1 player, Nerlens Noel, the man-child at forward, Alex Poythress, Archie Goodwin and the NC State transfer, Ryan Harrow, they will be arguably as good as the class that just cut down the nets.

Noel can handle the the inside duties that Anthony Davis is vacating. Harrow is perhaps a more natural point guard than Jeff Teague. Goodwin is a natural scorer, his jump shot isn't on par with Doron Lamb's, but he gets buckets nonetheless. 

Poythress would have to be the defender/rebounder that Michael Kidd-Gilchrist was, but, admittedly, those are the toughest shoes to fill.

Finally, Jefferson could play a similar role to the one Terrence Jones played.

Of course, there are differences because no two teams or players are exactly alike, but the talent is there.

It's an exciting time to be a Wildcats fan and inking Jefferson could make the experience even greater.

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