Coach Cal Shares Injury Update For Kentucky Freshman Aaron Bradshaw
LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 28: John Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats gives instructions to his team against the Ole Miss Rebels during the game at Rupp Arena on February 28, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Aaron Bradshaw could be nearing his Kentucky debut.
The 7-foot-1 freshman has yet to play after suffering a broken foot in June. Head coach John Calipari provided an encouraging update.
Per CatsCoverage's Tres Terrell, Calipari said Bradshaw fully participated in Monday's practice. However, he won't play in Tuesday's game against the undefeated Miami Hurricanes.
Bradshaw committed to Kentucky as a five-star recruit. The New Jersey native would offer much-needed size to the Wildcats, who have gone small during a 5-1 start.
Kentucky has scored 94.3 points per game with six different players (five guards) averaging double-digit points. The ACC program has made the second-most threes and attempted the sixth-most field goals.
However, the Wildcats rank 106th in defensive rating and 126th in rebounding. They're also playing without 7-foot center Ugonna Onyenso, who's also recovering from a broken foot.
Bradshaw could provide a crucial interior defensive boost while still stretching the court on offense. Calipari is eager to welcome the freshman to his rotation.
"It will be nice to have one more big body that we can throw in instead of them [opponents] getting lay-ups, and those are all blocks if you have got a big guy in there," Calipari said, per Aaron Gershon of 247Sports.
Bradshaw won't be ready for a marquee showdown against Miami, which has scored 89.0 points per game through a 5-0 start. But he might be progressing toward a debut this Saturday against UNC Wilmington.
