Adou Thiero is Kentucky Wildcats’ Swiss Army man: College Basketball Preview

Discover the unique versatility of Kentucky Wildcats’ sophomore guard, Adou Thiero, and how he will play a crucial role for the team.

• By
  
  Zac Oakes
  
• on November 5, 2023 9:20 pm

Witness the remarkable growth and development of Adou Thiero, the sophomore guard for the Kentucky Wildcats, as one of the most compelling storylines of the offseason.

Not only has Thiero experienced physical growth, but he has also honed his skills.

Building upon his freshman campaign where he displayed glimpses of his talent while still developing physically, Thiero is poised for an even more impactful season.

#3 Adou Thiero

• Position: Shooting guard
• Class: Sophomore
• Measurements: 6-foot-8, 222 lbs.
• Hometown: Leetsdale, PA
• School: Quaker Valley
• High School Recruit Rankings: No. 169 nationally and No. 25 CG via 247 Sports Composite.

Coming out of high school, Adou Thiero was not highly regarded as a top recruit. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 180 pounds, he was considered a three-star prospect with limited opportunities.

However, Thiero’s connection with his father, Almamy Thiero, who played for John Calipari at Memphis, paved the way for him to join the Kentucky Wildcats. The coaching staff recognized his potential as a guard with untapped abilities and saw him as a player still growing physically.

During his freshman year, Thiero showcased his defensive prowess by leading the team in steals in four games and blocks in three games, appearing in 20 games overall.

His most impressive performance came in a crucial win against Arkansas, where he contributed seven points, five rebounds, two assists, and a steal.

While it was evident that Thiero needed further development and gym time, he has made significant strides in the offseason.

Currently listed at 6-foot-8 and 222 pounds, Thiero has undergone a striking transformation. With his size and guard skills, he possesses the ability to create mismatches on the court.

Despite his limited experience last season, Thiero will bring a veteran presence to the young Kentucky team. His defensive abilities remain intact, and his expanded size allows him to guard multiple positions, granting him valuable versatility to fulfill a more significant role.

This becomes particularly crucial with the absence of Aaron Bradshaw and Ugonna Onyenso due to injury, along with Zvonimir Ivisic still awaiting clearance from the NCAA. Thiero has primarily played as a power forward during the exhibition season to compensate for the team’s shortage of big men.

John Calipari highlights Thiero’s potential impact as a finisher around the rim, emphasizing his strength and claiming that he could be one of the best finishers in the country.

The rarity of finding a player capable of playing all five positions on the floor is exemplified in Thiero’s ability. While he will primarily operate in the frontcourt due to the team’s deep backcourt, his versatility remains an undeniable asset.

During Kentucky’s run to the gold medal in GLOBL JAM, Thiero showcased remarkable improvement, averaging 7.5 points, nearly six rebounds, three assists, almost two steals, and more than one block per game.

In the exhibition game versus Georgetown, Thiero led the team with a staggering +/- of +26.

Through six exhibition games (including four in GLOBL Jam and two home games against Georgetown College and Kentucky State), Thiero ranks second on the team in combined +/- (+106), trailing only Tre Mitchell (+144).

Judging by the positive feedback received about the sophomore guard, as mentioned by Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, Thiero’s potential impact appears promising.

As we observe Thiero’s performance against tougher competition, it is evident that he possesses the attributes to excel. Several players in the past have demonstrated significant improvement from their freshman to sophomore years at Kentucky, and Thiero seems poised to join that group.

While Thiero may not consistently lead the team in scoring, his size, defensive versatility, rebounding tenacity, and ability to create mismatches with his athleticism will be invaluable to the Kentucky Wildcats.

Players like Thiero can transform a good team into a great one, and it is a role that he is more than capable of fulfilling this season.

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