The University of Kentucky may have landed the gem of it's 2004 recruiting class today when Randolph Morris announced that he would become the newest Kentucky Wildcat.

The big man from Atlanta Georgia made it official at a press conference in historic Paschal's Restaurant in downtown Atlanta. Shockingly, Morris stepped to the podium, and stated that he would enter the NBA draft. After a brief pause, he yelled "sike", as the crowd laughed.

Morris went on to talk about the positive points for his hometown Yellow Jackets. "If you have been following my career, my short career, you know that (Georgia Tech) was in the forefront of my recruiting, recruiting me since my 9th grade year, just the location, and the support that my family can give me by coming to the games and such, is why this is a great fit for me," Morris stated.

Finally, the 7-footer broke the hearts of the Georgia Tech faithful by saying he would attend the University of Kentucky. Randolph went on to say, "At the University of Kentucky, I feel that I would be comfortablein the academic , and just the tradition of the basketball team speaks for itself. And I am a Wildcat as of now."

After adding Morris, Tubby Smith has what many believe to be the best recruiting class in the country. Recruiting analyst Dave Telep, of The Insiders Hoops has moved Kentucky's class ahead of Texas, in the 2004 recruiting rankings. Telep says "Morris’ commitment brings significant fanfare to Lexington. At this point, the Wildcats will have signed three players who will appear amongst our final 15 in the Class of 2005."

In addition, Rivals rates three of Kentucky's incoming freshmen among the top 25 players in America.

The departure of junior-to-be, Bernard Cote, and the decision to go to Prep School by 2004 recruit Adam Williams, allowed UK to give the big Georgian a scholarship. Cote announced his transfer yesterday, and Adam Williams announced that he would attend prep school, before enrolling at Kentucky in 2005, two weeks ago.

April 3rd, 2004

This was an important step for the staff because in recent years, Tubby Smith has been criticized for his recruiting efforts. Before this season, Smith had brought in four McDonald's All Americans in his previous six years. Rashaad Carruth was his most recent, and he transferred shortly after his freshman year.

Another cause for concern for the program was the amount of experience that would be lost following the 2004 season. Seniors Gerald Fitch, Cliff Hawkins, Erik Daniels, and Antwain Barbour weren't high profile recruits from high school, but they made their mark on the tradition rich Kentucky program.

Incoming freshmen Adam Williams, Ramel Bradley, Rajon Rondo, and Joe Crawford will bring top notch talent into the program. Crawford and Rondo are both McDonald's All Americans, who led their teams to undefeated seasons this year. Ramel Bradley was a McDonald's All American nominee in 2003, but attended prep school this season to hone his skills, and lift his grades. Adam Williams is a player who flew under the radar nationally, but his hard work, all around game, and athleticism will be a welcomed addition to the program.

Adam Williams is a 6-foot-5, 185 pound swing man from Saint Albans West Virginia, who is rated among the top 150 players nationally according to Rivals.com. Williams major strength is his court vision, and his athleticism. Averaging nearly a triple double this season, Williams has shown that he's an all around player. His athleticism is evident in the fact that he won the West Virginia slam dunk championship this season. Headiness, and hustle are two additional qualities that Williams provides, and will bring to this new group of Wildcats.

Ramel Bradley is a 6-foot-3, 190 pound combo guard. Originally from Brooklyn, Bradley will bring his New York swagger to this recruiting class. His tenacity on defense, and his leadership on the floor will be valuable assets to the team. Bradley greatly improved his game this season, playing for IMG Academy, in Bradenton Florida. Bradley averaged 25 points, five assists and four rebounds per game, playing against junior college, and prep school competition. According to Rivals, Ramel is the number 91 player in the class of 2004.

Exciting is a word that comes to mind when describing future Wildcat, Rajon Rondo. Rondo, a 6-foot-1 point guard from Louisville Kentucky, is the floor leader for the top high school team in the country, Oak Hill Academy. Rajon led the Warriors in assists per game with well over ten. He penetrates into the lane for floating one handers, and nifty layups with ease. In addition to his scoring prowess from the lane, he dishes out assists at a record setting pace. Rondo had games of 27 and 31 assists this season. "Jonny" is considered by Rivals as the third best point guard in the 2004 class, and possibly the best point guard going to college if Shaun Livingston and Sebastian Telfair go pro. Overall, Rondo is rated number 14 nationally.

Detroit native Joe Crawford is the diamond, among many gems in the Kentucky class. Standing 6-foot-4, and weighing 210 pounds, Crawford is rated the number one shooting guard in his class by Rivals, and the number eight over all player. His explosive drives to the basket, and powerful body will remind many Wildcat followers of former Cat Keith Bogans. However, Joe is a more explosive leaper, and has a more consistant three point shot than Bogans did at this stage. Crawford scored 23 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and dished out almost six assist per game this season for Renaissance High.

As exciting as the class already is, it could get better. Tubby Smith is currently working on getting Randolph Morris, a 6-foot-11 center from Atlanta Georgia. Morris averaged 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 blocks per game this season for Landmark Christian. Rated the number 15 player nationally, Morris could be the icing on the cake for the Wildcats. The big Georgian is currently down to Kentucky and 2004 final four participant Georgia Tech.

The previously mentioned players are all scholarship players. Kentucky, however has quite a few prospects who could walk-on next season as well. Center Jonathan True from Lincoln County, Kentucky, is one of those prospects. He's a 6-foot-10 center who has been mentioned on occassion as a possible walk-on. Lonnell Dewalt, a 6-foot-7 foward from Bowling Green Kentucky is a football player whose first love is basketball. He may walk-on for the Cats. Finally, 5-foot-10 Shomari Moore, a running back and defensive back from New Jersey could also walk-on for Kentucky.

Regardless of the outcome of the walk-ons and Randolph Morris, the 2005 freshman season looks to be promising. Returning starters Kelenna Azubuike and Chuck Hayes, along with redshirt junior Patrick Sparks will lead the young Wildcats into the season. Tubby Smith will look to mold this group into a championship contender by tournament time.

Signed

Name: Ramel Bradley
Position: Combo Guard
Number: ???
Height: 6'3
Weight: 185
Hometown: New York, New York
School: The Pendleton School
PPG: 25
RPG: 4
APG: 5
SPG: ???

Name: Lonnell Dewalt (on football scholarship)
Position: Power Forward
Number:33
Height: 6'7
Weight: 215
Hometown: Bowling Green, Kentucky
School: Warren Central High
PPG: ???
RPG: ???
APG: ???
SPG: ???

Name: Patrick Sparks (already on the roster)
Position: Point Guard
Number: 22
Height: 6'1
Weight: 185
Hometown: Central City, Kentucky
School: Muhlenburg North High, Western Kentucky University
PPG: 13.3
RPG: 3.7
APG: 5.9
SPG: 2.1

Name: Adam Williams
Position: Guard/Forward
Number: 25
Height: 6'5
Weight: 185
Hometown: St Albans, West Virginia
School: St Albans High
PPG: 20+
RPG: 10+
APG: ???
SPG: ???

Name: Joe Crawford
Position: Shooting Guard
Number: 23 or 32
Height: 6'4
Weight: 205
Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
School: Renaissance
PPG: 22.9
RPG: 11.2
APG: 5.8
SPG: 3.7

Name: Rajon Rondo
Position: Point Guard
Number: 4
Height: 6'1
Weight: 155
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
School: Oak Hill Academy
PPG: 21.0
RPG: ???
APG: 10+
SPG: ???

Name: Randolph Morris
Position: Center
Number:
Height: 6'11
Weight: 265
Hometown: Fairburn, Georgia
School: Landmark Christian Academy
PPG: 25
RPG: 16
APG:
BPG: 4

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