Calipari Comments on Signees

The 7-foot Cauley is a senior at Olathe (Kansas) Northwest High School where he averaged 15.8 points and 8.5 rebounds last season. He also stars on the football field, catching 57 passes for 1,140 yards and 14 touchdowns through nine games in 2011 as a wide receiver.

“At 7-feet tall, Willie has great feet and great hands,” Calipari said. “He’s a wide receiver on the football team. When he starts zeroing in on this sport, I think people are going to be surprised at how good he really is. He’s got his best basketball ahead of him.”

The 6-4 Goodwin in his senior year at Sylvan Hills High School where he averaged 28.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists as a junior. Goodwin, the Gatorade Player of the Year in Arkansas, is currently ranked as the second best shooting guard in the country and 12th overall by Rivals.com.

“Archie is a combo guard who can really score the ball,” Calipari said. “I love his athleticism and length. He plays kind of like Tyreke Evans,but can shoot it more consistent at this stage in his career than Tyreke could.” The 6-7 Poythress is a senior at Clarksville (Tenn.) Northeast High School where he has played all five positions at different times. As a junior, Poythress averaged 22.3 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.1 blocks, 1.4 steals and 1.2 assists en route to being named a finalist for Mr. Basketball honors in Tennessee. Rivals.com ranks him 19th overall and No. 8 at his position. “When Alex is at his best, because of his size and athleticism, he’s as good as anybody in the country,” Calipari said. “He is really athletic, and when he’s got his motor running, he can score at will.” Kentucky remains in the hunt for Shabazz Muhammad, Anthony Bennett, Amile Jefferson and Jarnell Stokes, all five-star or four-star players who will sign in the spring.