What to expect from each player on the 2021-22 Kentucky men’s basketball team
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2021-22 College Basketball Preview
The Lexington Herald-Leader’s 2021-22 College Basketball Preview special section was to be published in the print edition on Sunday, Nov. 7. Click below to view all the stories from that section that have been published on Kentucky.com.
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Jacob Toppin
Uniform number: 0
Height/weight: 6-9, 200
Position: Forward
Class: Junior
Age: 21
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
High school: Woodstock Academy (Conn.)
Toppin’s role in 2021-22: The original plan when Toppin transferred from Rhode Island last year was that he would make his Kentucky debut this season, after sitting out the 2020-21 campaign to work on adding strength and honing his basketball skills. Instead, he took advantage of the NCAA’s willingness to grant immediate eligibility to transfers and ended up showing some promise. Toppin’s next-level athleticism and family ties — he’s the younger brother of former national player of the year Obi Toppin — make him one of the most intriguing players on this Kentucky team. With the influx of transfers this offseason and a possible shift toward a more guard-oriented lineup, Toppin could see about the same amount of playing time he did last season (17.1 minutes per game), but he should be better equipped to make a bigger impact with that time in his second year as a Wildcat. He can be an instant-energy guy off the bench and has the length to rebound well and defend multiple positions. Anything he can add offensively, especially in the halfcourt, will likely be a bonus. Toppin looks like a player that — at some point — will be able to combine that rare athleticism and natural ability to take a major leap forward. It might be too much to ask to expect that jump this season, but his development should be fun to watch.
CJ Fredrick
Uniform number: 1
Height/weight: 6-3, 190
Position: Guard
Class: Junior
Age: 22
Hometown: Cincinnati
High school: Covington Catholic
Fredrick’s role in 2021-22: Exactly how John Calipari uses Fredrick will be one of the more interesting story lines this season, especially in the early going. The former Kentucky high school star — and Sweet Sixteen MVP at Rupp in 2018 — started all 52 games he played over the past two seasons for two good Iowa teams (the Hawkeyes were a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament last season, remember). He’s also been consistently excellent as a three-point shooter — an area of major need for the Wildcats — going 46.1 percent from deep as a freshman and 47.4 percent as a sophomore. Yet, he’s usually absent from projected starting lineups on a roster that also features impact guards Kellan Grady, Davion Mintz, Sahvir Wheeler and five-star recruit TyTy Washington. Fredrick has averaged about 27 minutes per game in his college career so far, but he might have trouble reaching that this season. (He’s also been sidelined by and played through injuries in the past, something to be wary of, especially with him missing much of the preseason). There’s no question he can fill it up from three-point range, though, and that’s what he’ll be expected to do when he’s on the court. Fredrick’s teammates will be looking to space the floor and get him open shots, and he’ll need to defend well enough that Calipari will be willing to keep him out there in crucial situations.
Sahvir Wheeler
Uniform number: 2
Height/weight: 5-9, 180
Position: Guard
Class: Junior
Age: 20
Hometown: Houston
High school: Houston Christian
Wheeler’s role in 2021-22: Other Kentucky players seemingly garnered more attention in the offseason, but Wheeler — a transfer from Georgia — was the only Wildcat to earn SEC preseason first-team honors last month. He’s not the typical Calipari point guard — as far as measurements go — but Wheeler has proven he can get things done at a high-major level. He led the SEC in assists and assist-to-turnover ratio as a sophomore last season, and his assist total ranked No. 3 nationally. He also turned in the first triple-double in Bulldogs history — 14 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds against Louisiana State — showing an ability to impact the game in a variety of ways and battle for boards despite his smaller stature. Wheeler can penetrate an opposing defense — something UK guards struggled mightily with last season — and is an incredibly gifted and creative passer. His play will be important in spreading the defense and opening up shots for what could be a very good three-point shooting team. With more talent around him at Kentucky, he’ll need to dial back his own offensive attempts (13.0 shots per game last season) and show a better shot selection (39.9 percent from the floor last season, 22.5 percent from three-point range). What he lacks in size defensively, he makes up for with quickness, deceptive strength, and a competitive and pesky approach.
TyTy Washington
Uniform number: 3
Height/weight: 6-3, 197
Position: Guard
Class: Freshman
Age: 18
Hometown: Phoenix
High school: Compass Prep
Washington’s role in 2021-22: According to most experts, Washington is Kentucky’s top NBA Draft prospect for 2022 — projected as a possible lottery pick — but he’s joining a team with a ton of proven veteran talent on the perimeter. Still, it’ll difficult for Calipari to keep Washington out of the starting lineup, and the five-star recruit should be expected to make a major impact on both ends of the floor. Washington averaged 24 points, seven assists and six rebounds per game against a national schedule as a high school senior last season, earning first-team All-American honors from MaxPreps.com. He’s a tenacious scorer who is used to playing with the ball in his hands, and it will be interesting to see how Calipari splits those duties between him and Sahvir Wheeler. He’s a good enough outside shooter and creative enough player to play off the ball, however, and he’ll likely be put in that spot often this season. Washington is in a unique position relative to former Calipari point guard recruits in that he’s joining a team that has plenty of veteran talent in the backcourt, something that should help ease his transition and alleviate some of the pressure to play a starring role early in the season. Washington, who turns 19 years old three days after the Duke game, clearly has the highest upside in UK’s backcourt, and he could emerge as the go-to guy for the Wildcats as the season progresses.
Daimion Collins
Uniform number: 4
Height/weight: 6-9, 202
Position: Forward
Class: Freshman
Age: 19
Hometown: Atlanta, Texas
High school: Atlanta
Collins’ role in 2021-22: The other five-star freshman on this Kentucky team, Collins might be the most intriguing talent on the entire Wildcats’ roster. He has an incredibly thin frame — even by the standards of a still-developing big man — but his athleticism is otherworldly and his instincts are next level. How quickly it all comes together for Collins is the question. Like with Washington, his development should be aided by the fact that there are other talented players at his position to take away some of the early load and overwhelming expectations that highly rated UK freshmen often face. There will likely be games where Collins is an afterthought, but there will certainly also be instances of “SportsCenter”-worthy plays from this athletic post player. Recruiting observers have likened him to a more offensively skilled version of Isaiah Jackson — UK’s top draft pick this past season — at the same stage of development. Collins should provide an immediate impact as a rebounder, rim-protector and alley-oop recipient, though his playing time could suffer against more physical frontcourts or in games where Calipari deploys a more guard-oriented lineup. He’s projected as a first-round pick in next year’s NBA Draft, though it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him stick around a while longer to gain some strength and further develop his game before a jump to the pros.
Davion Mintz
Uniform number: 10
Height/weight: 6-3, 195
Position: Guard
Class: Grad student
Age: 23
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
High school: North Mecklenburg
Mintz’s role in 2021-22: One of the few bright spots from the disastrous 2020-21 season, Mintz returns to Lexington for one more run with the Wildcats in what should be a more normal Kentucky basketball campaign. He was the Cats’ leading scorer and three-point shooter last season, though he’s expected to have plenty of additional help in those areas this time around. Mintz should be able to build on last season’s success, especially offensively, with more spacing and overall backcourt talent on this squad. The 23-year-old — now in his sixth year of college — emerged as a leader for a young Kentucky team last season, and Calipari will need him to play that role again on this roster, which has much more experience but will still be filled with several new faces. Mintz shouldn’t be pressed into point guard duties like he was last season — with Sahvir Wheeler and TyTy Washington now on the team — but he could shift to that spot in a pinch, a luxury for Calipari. He’ll spend most of his time as a key part of a balanced perimeter scoring attack — perhaps even improving his three-point percentage with more open shots — and should be a steady and reliable defender. Mintz’s maturity will make him a leader again this season, and Calipari will count on him to keep everyone on the same page on the court, especially in late-game situations.
Dontaie Allen
Uniform number: 11
Height/weight: 6-6, 205
Position: Guard
Class: Sophomore
Age: 21
Hometown: Falmouth, Ky.
High school: Pendleton County
Allen’s role in 2021-22: Another rare bright spot in an otherwise gloomy 2020-21 season, Allen electrified Kentucky fans with his three-point shooting barrage in a comeback victory at Mississippi State on Jan. 2 (his first meaningful college contributions) and then nearly shot the Cats past the Bulldogs again in the SEC Tournament opener a couple of months later. What came in between was a mixed bag, at best. The former Kentucky Mr. Basketball made only two field goals over UK’s final nine regular-season games — going 2-for-18 in that span — and he played more than 10 minutes just once in that stretch, much to the frustration of UK fans wanting to see more from the home-state hero. There could be similar angst this season. With so many talented backcourt players joining the roster — including highly touted shooters like CJ Fredrick and Kellan Grady — it might make Allen the odd man out. He’ll surely get some chances, but he’ll need to make shots when those come, and it’s no easy task to come in and knock down threes cold without the benefit of getting into the flow of the game. Improved defense and decision-making — two areas that drew criticism from Calipari last season — would go a long way for Allen to break into the rotation this season.
Keion Brooks
Uniform number: 12
Height/weight: 6-7, 210
Position: Forward
Class: Junior
Age: 21
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Ind.
High school: La Lumiere
Brooks’ role in 2021-22: Brooks was doubly hampered by the uncertainty of last season’s COVID-impacted campaign, having to deal not only with the restrictions in place because of the pandemic but also with an injury that took away his preseason and lingered through the first nine games. He showed flashes of that five-star talent when he finally returned to the court in January — averaging 10.3 points and a team-high 6.8 rebounds in 23.6 minutes per game the rest of the way — but what was supposed to be a breakout season was instead a relative disappointment. Brooks remains one of the most talented players on this roster, and it’s fair to expect that for this team to make much noise beyond the first week of the NCAA Tournament, it’ll need Brooks to take that major step forward. He has the athleticism and versatility to play the “4” spot in a three-guard lineup, and he’s shown the ability to create for himself away from the basket, so Calipari could use him on the perimeter when the situation calls for it. If he can finally make some threes (11-for-47 so far as a college player) that could open up his offensive game quite a bit. He has the bounce and length (7-1 wingspan) to be disruptive as a defender, and he should once again be among the team’s leading rebounders. There might not be a more important player on the UK roster this season.
Brennan Canada
Uniform number: 14
Height/weight: 6-6, 198
Position: Forward
Class: Junior
Age: 21
Hometown: Mount Sterling, Ky.
High school: Clark County
Canada’s role in 2021-22: On a roster with 12 scholarship players and lots of depth and versatility across the position spectrum, it’s going to be difficult for any of the walk-ons to make much of an impact on game days. That doesn’t mean players like Canada can’t help this Kentucky team. The former Clark County standout, specifically, is an intriguing player for a walk-on due to his size. At 6-6, he can provide different looks in practice and gives Calipari a capable body to go up against some of his top forwards. Canada played in just two games as a sophomore, but there should be more opportunities for late-game appearances this season.
Zan Payne
Uniform number: 20
Height/weight: 6-4, 215
Position: Guard/forward
Class: Junior
Age: 21
Hometown: Lexington, Ky.
High school: Lexington Catholic
Payne’s role in 2021-22: Another local walk-on, Payne — the son of former UK assistant coach Kenny Payne — was one of the state’s best high school players before suffering a knee injury in his senior season that required a long rehab process. He didn’t play in his first two seasons on campus — and didn’t start practicing with the team until January of his second year — before playing in two games last season, scoring his first points against South Carolina in the regular-season finale. Payne, who earned a college degree in August, often played like an undersized power forward in high school and adds another capable body to the walk-on corps.
Bryce Hopkins
Uniform number: 23
Height/weight: 6-6, 220
Position: Forward
Class: Freshman
Age: 19
Hometown: Oak Park, Ill.
High school: Fenwick
Hopkins’ role in 2021-22: By all accounts, Hopkins has been the biggest surprise of Kentucky’s preseason, impressing his teammates and UK coaches with his blend of skill, strength and willingness to play a physical brand of basketball (something that’s fairly unique for a college freshman). Just what that means from a playing time perspective remains to be seen. Hopkins is likely to play that same “3-4” role as returnees Keion Brooks and Jacob Toppin, while there are plenty of talented guards on this roster who will play the “3” spot in smaller lineups. He’ll obviously have to earn any early run he gets, and he has acknowledged that reality, saying his defense and rebounding will keep him on the court. If Hopkins can do those two things well — especially being in the right spots on defense — it’ll go a long way toward earning Calipari’s trust. If he can stay on the court, Hopkins could be a versatile offensive player, capable of stretching the floor with his shooting ability but also adept at playing in the paint and fighting for offensive boards to keep possessions alive. He’s the only UK freshman who is not projected as a one-and-done NBA pick — Hopkins was the No. 38 prospect in the 2021 recruiting rankings — but he certainly possesses the upside to play professionally in the near future.
Kareem Watkins
Uniform number: 25
Height/weight: 5-8, 170
Position: Guard
Class: Sophomore
Age: 19
Hometown: Camden, N.J.
High school: Kingsway Regional
Watkins’ role in 2021-22: The stepson of former Calipari star Dajuan Wagner — and brother of top UK recruiting target DJ Wagner, the No. 1 prospect in the 2023 class — Watkins was a solid high school point guard, and he’s putting those skills to use at Kentucky. In the UK practice that was open to the media this preseason, Watkins was often at the top of the perimeter in drills, running the offense while Calipari taught his players. Watkins played just two minutes last season, but his steady hand in practice should be beneficial to the team and Kentucky’s coaching staff.
Kellan Grady
Uniform number: 31
Height/weight: 6-5, 205
Position: Guard
Class: Grad student
Age: 24
Hometown: Boston
High school: Northfield Mount Hermon
Grady’s role in 2021-22: Many of the preseason projections have pegged Grady as the most likely player to lead the Wildcats in scoring during the 2021-22 campaign. That’s a fair prediction, given his track record. Grady comes to Kentucky after scoring more than 2,000 points over a four-year career at Davidson, where he also made at least 50 three-pointers in each of those seasons and shot 38.2 percent from deep as a senior. This is obviously a step up in competition — and Calipari noted last month that Grady had to adapt to a faster game at the high-major level in the early going — but he seems up for the challenge. “Ooh, now, he struggled early because he’s never played this fast, but he’s not struggling now,” the UK coach said after a few weeks of practice. Grady will be the oldest player on this UK team, and he should be expected to be one of the leaders on the court and in the locker room. He plays with a grit that Calipari should enjoy, and he’ll likely emerge as one of the Wildcats’ top go-to options offensively in crunch time. Grady was known as a solid defender at Davidson, which plays in the Atlantic 10 Conference, but he’ll need to prove he can guard the perimeter consistently against a better level of competition this season at Kentucky.
Oscar Tshiebwe
Uniform number: 34
Height/weight: 6-9, 255
Position: Forward
Class: Junior
Age: 21
Hometown: Lubumbashi, Dem. Republic of Congo
High school: Kennedy Catholic (Pa.)
Tshiebwe’s role in 2021-22: After nearly a year on UK’s campus — and a recruiting defeat prior to that — Kentucky fans will finally get to see what Tshiebwe is all about this season. The former McDonald’s All-American was a major UK target before picking West Virginia out of high school, and he emerged as one of the best bigs in college basketball after one season there before a disappointing start to his sophomore campaign led to a midseason transfer to Lexington last winter. By far the biggest player on the Wildcats’ roster, Tshiebwe has impressed teammates with a bullying style that will make him a handful on the boards and the heavy favorite to lead UK in rebounding this season. He’s more athletic than he’s often given credit for, with an ability to run in transition and make plays around the basket, in addition to recent efforts to expand his game away from the paint. Tshiebwe doesn’t have incredible height for the “5” role he’ll be playing this season, but he has the strength, motor and length (a 7-4 wingspan) to compete on defense and make things difficult for opposing scorers, especially when paired alongside a top rim-protector like Daimion Collins. If Tshiebwe plays to his strengths — rebounding, playing tough and scoring around the bucket — he could easily be one of the best post players in all of college basketball this season.
Lance Ware
Uniform number: 55
Height/weight: 6-9, 225
Position: Forward
Class: Sophomore
Age: 20
Hometown: Camden, N.J.
High school: Camden
Ware’s role in 2021-22: Of the five returning scholarship players on this Kentucky team, Ware was on the court for the least amount of time last season (12.1 minutes per game with DNPs in four games, three of them late in UK’s conference schedule). That was pretty much the plan coming in with Ware, who was highly touted as a recruit but is still relatively new to the game of basketball — he didn’t start playing until late in middle school — and arrived in Lexington fully expecting to be here for multiple seasons. He is a physical and athletic forward who proved last season that he could be a formidable rebounder as his college career progresses, averaging 3.0 boards per game despite limited minutes and actually leading the team on the glass in two games. This UK squad is deep and talented, but if it’s thin anywhere, it’s power in the frontcourt. Ware will likely be counted on to play important minutes in that role, especially against bigger, stronger lineups. With Oscar Tshiebwe capable of getting into foul trouble and unlikely to take all of the minutes at the “5” spot (he’s averaged just 22.4 minutes per game in college so far), and Daimion Collins still thin for the position, expect Ware to get a chance to play in some big-game situations throughout the season.
This story was originally published November 7, 2021 at 6:10 AM.
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