Calipari lands top-rated recruiting class

Published 2:01 am Thursday, November 11, 2010

The Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky coach John Calipari has landed another top-rated recruiting class.

The Wildcats signed guard Marquis Teague, forwards Michael Gilchrist, Kyle Wiltjer and Anthony Davis on Wednesday, the beginning of the fall signing period.

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“They all have an unbelievable attitude about winning,” Calipari said in a statement. “They all wanted to play together knowing they’re going to have to sacrifice a little bit of their game for their teammates.”

The 6-foot-2 Teague, who also considered Louisville, averaged 16.3 points and 4.6 assists as a junior at Pike High in Indianapolis, Ind. He and Gilchrist helped Team USA to the gold medal in the FIBA U17 World Championships.

“Marquis is not just quick, but quick with the ball,” Calipari said. “He also has an unbelievably fierce desire to win. He played on the U17 team with Michael, and when they stepped into the game together, games changed.”

The 6-7 Gilchrist averaged 16.4 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks last season while playing for St. Patrick High in Elizabeth, N.J. He was rated the No. 1 forward in the country by both Rivals.com and Scout.com.

“When you look up the definition of ’warrior’ in the dictionary, there is a picture of Michael there,” said Calipari. “No one plays harder or is more competitive. He has a tremendous burning desire to win.”

Wiltjer led Jesuit High in Portland, Ore., to back-to-back Class 6A titles while Davis averaged 30 points and 12 rebounds a game last year for Perspectives Charter in Chicago.

Calipari said the 6-9 Wiltjer and the 6-10 Davis give the team the size it needed.

“With this group, it adds to what we already have within our program,” Calipari said. “These are four of the best, which is what we want to recruit here.”