Willie Cauley-Stein leads top-ranked Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Willie Cauley-Stein has not been the typical Kentucky recruit.

The 7-foot junior has made that clear in many ways, the most obvious that he stayed for a third season with the top-ranked Wildcats after arriving with a one-and-done label. Cauley-Stein decided to return even though he was projected as a first-round NBA draft choice. Watching last spring’s NCAA championship game loss to Connecticut from the bench with an injured ankle convinced him he wasn’t ready.

“I knew I didn’t want to go to the league being hurt,” he said.

Cauley-Stein is now a possible lottery pick. His impressive all-around performance has established him as the leader of a Kentucky team facing expectations of going unbeaten. Playing in the middle of the first of the Wildcats’ two tall platoons, he enters Tuesday’s Southeastern Conference opener against Mississippi ranked second on the team in scoring (10.1 points per game), rebounding (6.6) and blocks (1.7).

Most notably on a Kentucky squad where playing time comes in 4-minute segments, Cauley-Stein has made a team-high 24 steals and averages a team-best 24 minutes per game.

“I wouldn’t say I’m pleased, but I can see improvement in what I’m doing,” Cauley-Stein said. “I can that what I’m doing is starting to work, so whatever I’m doing, just keep on doing it.”

That’s a scary prospect for opponents who must find an answer for the Olathe, Kansas, native on both ends.

He’s shown wicked shot-blocking instincts, in which he seemingly comes out of nowhere to swat opponents’ attempts. Cauley-Stein has also displayed uncanny skills in picking off passes.