College Basketball Recruiting: A Look at Kentucky's 2011 Dream Team

Guess what college basketball fans, if you thought that Kentucky's recruiting locomotive was about to run out of steam sometime soon, you’re in for a rude awakening.

No matter what kind of hot water the media and the NCAA dip head coach John Calipari into, it doesn’t seem to phase the coach in his recruiting efforts.

Calipari keeps bringing the top-notch talent to Lexington and it looks like it’s about to stay that way for the foreseeable future.

After signing the nation’s top rated 2010 recruiting class that included potential future NBA Lottery picks Enes Kanter, Brandon Knight, and Terrence Jones, Calipari decided to outdo himself with the 2011 class.

It's a class that looks like it’s shaping up to be one for the history books.

Kentucky already has solid commitments from four elite 5-star players, who are each rated as one of the top players in the country at their respective positions.

Here’s a look at the four players that could comprise one of the greatest single recruiting classes we’ve seen in quite some time.

Marquis Teague: PG, Pike (Indianapolis, Indiana)

Photo courtesy of Rivals.com

If John Calipari had to draw up an ideal point guard to run his dribble-drive offense, there’s a good chance it would look identical to Pike’s Marquis Teague.

Teague has rare quickness and speed that you only see from the elite players in high school basketball. His first step is almost impossible to defend and once Teague gets going, it can be hard for any defender to stay with him.

He’s the ultimate creater, and once he gets going into the lane, it seems everybody comes crashing down on him, which opens up opportunities for his teammates to get great shots.

Now, does he get rattled when defenses throw a certain look or scheme at him?

Yes, that’s his weakness right now. But Calipari will surely teach him how to work his way through the traffic and he’ll learn to make better decisions as he matures.

The 6'1", 170 lb. Teague also has good bloodlines. He is the younger brother of current Atlanta Hawk Jeff Teague.

Michael Gilchrist: SF, St. Patrick (Elizabeth, New Jersey)

Photo Courtesy of Scout.com

Michael Gilchrist is considered to be the top player in the entire country by many different recruiting circles, and when you watch him play, you realize that assessment seems warranted.

The 6‘7", 210 lb. small forward has been New Jersey high school basketball’s shining star over the last few years.

As a sophomore, Gilchrist averaged 14 points, eight rebounds, and three blocked shots per game. After he led his team to a state championship, he was honored as the New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year.

Gilchrist is overwhelmingly dominant in nearly every facet of the game. He’s a great defender, a terrific rebounder, and a skilled offensive player.

If he can work out the kinks in his jump shot, there’s nothing stopping Gilchrist from becoming a superstar at Kentucky and beyond.

Anthony Davis: PF, Perspective Charter (Chicago, Illinois)

Photo Courtesy of Scout.com

The one word you hear thrown around most with Anthony Davis is upside. It’s weird how growing seven inches from your junior to senior year tends to make believers out of a lot of people.

The 6‘9" Davis has the wingspan you desire in a power forward and he has the natural look of a dominant shot blocker. Plus, he can also rebound the ball with great consistency.

The one-time guard is a polished offensive player who has no problem handling the ball or passing it around.

Davis still has a lot of room to fill out and gain strength, but once he adds a good 15 pounds of muscle to his frame, there’s nothing stopping him from becoming an elite shot blocker and defender at the next level.

Kyle Wiltjer: PF, Jesuit (Portland, Oregon)

Photo Courtesy of Scout.com

Kyle Wiltjer is one of the best power forward prospects in the 2011 class.

The real standout part of his game is on the offensive side of the ball, where Wiltjer uses his big 6'9" frame to his advantage.

He’s a terrific scorer for his size and his ability to pass and create is what separates him from average big men.

Wiltjer is a fluid offensive player who can move with or without the ball, and he has the skills to face up defenders and hit the turnaround jumper.

He has to get a little quicker and stronger to play against college level defenders, but that will come with time and training.