Should the expectations be realigned for Kentucky basketball freshman Adou Thiero?
Once the Kentucky men’s basketball roster finally got settled for the 2022-23 season, it became evident that playing time would be at a premium.
The Wildcats would be featuring four players with extensive starting experience at the college level — Oscar Tshiebwe, Sahvir Wheeler, CJ Fredrick and Antonio Reeves — and another expected to take a major leap: veteran forward Jacob Toppin. Add in the returns of Daimion Collins and Lance Ware, paired with the arrivals of McDonald’s All-American recruits Chris Livingston and Cason Wallace, and it was clear John Calipari might have a tough time finding enough minutes for everyone who deserved them.
It also seemed just as clear that under-the-radar freshman Adou Thiero could be penciled into the “odd man out” category during his first season of college basketball. Thiero looked to be an intriguing talent, sure. He was 6-foot-6ish and still growing, with a 6-11 wingspan and tremendous athleticism.
Thiero was also a virtual unknown in recruiting circles until late in his senior season of high school. He was so unheralded nationally that there was even some confusion in that recruiting world when he landed the offer from Kentucky.
His father had played for Calipari at Memphis. Was the offer some kind of favor to boost the kid’s profile? Or, if it was legit, perhaps Calipari was simply looking for an athletic player to fill out his roster and give the team enough quality guys to scrimmage?
Surely the Kentucky coach wouldn’t actually be pursuing a prospect who didn’t even have a star ranking from the top recruiting websites. And, even if Thiero ended up on the team, surely he wouldn’t actually play meaningful minutes on a squad so heavy on talent and experience.
Well, maybe he will?
The sample size has been small, but the signs so far sure point to that being the case.
The latest example came Saturday night in Pikeville, home to UK’s Blue-White Game and Thiero’s latest “is he really this good?” performance.
For those who couldn’t make it to the scrimmage at Appalachian Wireless Arena or weren’t able to find the game on SEC Network Plus, a brief recap of Thiero’s highlights …
The freshman guard was placed in a starting five with two walk-ons, fellow newcomer Ugonna Onyenso and Reeves, and they came within a couple of last-minute baskets of beating a team featuring projected UK regulars Wallace, Fredrick, Livingston, Toppin and Collins.
Thiero scored 21 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, dished out six assists and managed three steals. The rebound and steal totals topped the night, while only Reeves scored more points and Wallace dished out more assists. Thiero was 1-for-4 from three, but he hit a couple of long twos with his toes on the line. He also showed off an array of dribble moves, scoring several times near the basket over the bigger, more physical Livingston despite smothering defense from the fellow freshman.
And Thiero’s take on that performance?
“I think I did pretty well,” he said, quickly adding that he could have been more aggressive defensively, wished he would have grabbed a few more defensive rebounds, hit a couple of more shots, and lamented that he missed three of his seven free throws.
Self-criticisms aside, it was another eyebrow-raising showing from Thiero, who similarly exceeded expectations during the Wildcats’ four-game trip to the Bahamas this offseason.
Obviously, four exhibitions against overmatched opposition in August and a scrimmage against his own teammates in October won’t necessarily translate to ample playing time in November and beyond, but — from what we’ve seen of Thiero so far — it’s becoming clear that he’s much more than a practice player for this Kentucky team.
And it might not take as long as previously projected for him to start realizing his potential at the college level.
Thiero’s start at Kentucky
It wasn’t the easiest of times when Thiero arrived in Lexington back in June.
He was in and out of the team’s earliest summer workouts, primarily with the aches and pains that have accompanied his ongoing physical growth. (Doctors have told the 18-year-old with guard skills that he could ultimately get to 6-11). When he was on the court, the speed of the college game was something entirely new, especially with this Kentucky team that is likely to get on the break as much as possible and has been practicing with that plan in mind.
“I don’t think I’ve adjusted yet, but I think I’ve definitely gotten better,” Thiero acknowledged. “Because the first couple of practices — when we were doing that — I was exhausted. Like, couldn’t breathe. We were running so much — get an open shot, I’d miss it. Airball it. It was just a lot.”
He showed plenty of motor Saturday night in Pikeville.
Defensively, Thiero said he’s basically drawing the same type of assignments now that he did in high school: guarding players on the wing, guys coming off screens, the catch-and-shoot threats.
“But I’m also guarding people as athletic as me,” he added. “So that’s where I think is the difference.”
Offensively, it’s been like a whole new game. Thiero was about 5-9, 5-10 when he began his high school career. Naturally, he was the point guard, and — even as he continued to grow — he always played with the ball in his hands. If he didn’t bring the ball down the floor or have control of it in the halfcourt offense, he’d just stand around, wait until he did. And then go try and score.
“That’s what’s really different,” Thiero said.
As the best player on his team, he also had the ultimate green light.
“I was able to go in and shoot something crazy, and my coach wouldn’t really be upset,” he said. “But now I just have to be smarter with my shots and just make the right plays.”
The freshman now has to work off the ball to find ways to get open and stretch the floor for his teammates. And when he does get the ball, he has to keep in mind that there will likely be shooters like Fredrick and Reeves, playmakers like Wheeler and Wallace, a national player of the year in the paint and other dynamic scorers elsewhere on the court.
Reeves — the Blue-White Game high-scorer with 27 points — didn’t opine on whether he thought Thiero would play considerable minutes as a freshman. That’ll be Calipari’s decision, but the fourth-year college player noted that the newcomer is a hard worker, brings energy every day, and has shown he can hang with his teammates.
Thiero is aware that he arrived in Kentucky with no immediate expectations from those outside the program. And probably even quite a few on the inside. He doesn’t care about that.
“I just want to come in and — whenever I’m given the chance — just do what I can do,” he said. “I’m not really worried about all the outside noise coming in. Just focused on this team. What I need to do for this team. And just grind every day, get better.”
Next game
Missouri Western State at No. 4 Kentucky
What: Preseason exhibition game
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
Where: Rupp Arena
TV: SEC Network
This story was originally published October 25, 2022 at 7:00 AM.
