Kentucky newcomers outlook: DeMarcus Cousins and Daniel Orton

Today, we move on to the big man section of John Calipari’s Noah’s Ark of a 2009 recruiting class. In part 1 yesterday, I broke down what I expect to see out of UK’s two point guard commitments, John Wall and Eric Bledsoe. Next up are DeMarcus Cousins and Daniel Orton.

DeMarcus Cousins – Cousins figures to have the inside track to the starting front court position opposite Patrick Patterson, but he’s got some work to do to lock it down. He’s not in the kind of shape he needs to fit seamlessly into the dribble drive, even though he has the skill set.

He’s shown a propensity to disappear for plays and minutes at a time, but Calipari is not going to be able to accept that. I worry slightly about how Cousins will respond to being pushed by Coach Cal, but I think it will click for him. Cousins has an eye on the NBA after one season and he’s only going to get there if he does what’s asked of him.

All in all, look for Cousins to be a 20 minute a night kind of player and possibly increasing as the season goes on as he gets in better shape and learns to stay out of foul trouble. UK has so much front court depth that Cousins is going to have to work for his minutes.  Ultimately, I do not see DeMarcus Cousins as a one and done player.  I think he will still have growing to do at the college level after his freshman year, but he will still have a decision to make.

Daniel Orton – Outside of John Wall, Daniel Orton is the player from this class that I am most excited to have as a part of the UK program. Orton is a true center. He’s strong, he’s a beast on the boards, and he has good low post moves.

Also, I think those of you who don’t know him well are going to pleasantly surprised by some of his other skills. His outlet passing is phenomenal. He showed that repeatedly in both the Derby Festival Classic and the Jordan Brand Classic, and considering how many rebounds he’s going to get, that is going to create a lot of fast break points. He’s also very mobile and has a good handle for a guy who runs 6-9 260. Orton is not exactly anonymous: he’s a 5 star according to Rivals and Scout, but there’s a chance he is underrated due to the fact that he missed the vast majority of his senior season due to a knee injury.

Daniel Orton is also the exact kind of person I love having as a representative of UK. He’s well spoken, he comes from a solid family, and he’s as hard a worker as you will find. He graduated from high school early and is already in Lexington preparing for the upcoming season and his father Larry will follow in June. Neither of the two can wait to be a part of the Big Blue family and I know they will be welcomed with open arms.

Daniel Orton is a guy, unlike John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, who does not have his eye on the NBA after one year on campus. He is likely a 2 or 3 year player if he develops the way I anticipate, but he will contribute as soon as he steps on campus. I think he will push Cousins for minutes on the court and will push him just as much off the court. I also think, with Cousins’ versatility, that you will see Cousins and Orton on the floor together at times. Orton also figures to be an ideal complement to Patrick Patterson based on the strong relationship they have already established.

I look for Orton to play 15-20 minutes a game next year and step into a starting role during his sophomore year. After his junior year, I think he’ll be ready to make the leap to the NBA as a first round pick.