Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is Georgia Basketball's most heralded freshman to enter the program in sometime. The McDonald's All-American figures to play a key role as Mark Fox's Bulldogs try to replace the offensive production lost when Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie left after their junior seasons for the NBA draft.
Fox talked about Caldwell-Pope during SEC Media day and pointed out that he had two great role models in fellow backcourt mates Dustin Ware and Gerald Robinson.
"He has come in and has a great advantage because he has two great examples to look to every day. In any facet of his life: if he wants to know how to be a good student he can watch his role models; if he wants to see how to work in the weight room, he can watch them; if he wants to learn to practice the right way, he can look to them. I think that's the advantage that he has because Gerald [Robinson] and [Dustin Ware] function like winners and that's the advantage for all the new players that have come to the team. He has come into our program with a boatload of accolade, and you would never know it. He's got a great demeanor, very humble, a sweet kid. He has come in with the attitude that he has joined our team, not that the team has joined him. He's very coachable and listens to everything I say, while paying great attention to detail, and the fact that he's very vocal and very talented is really has a chance at a great future."
At Greenville high school, Caldwell-Pope averaged 28.2 points, 5.0 assists and 6.0 steals per game. The Bulldogs will be looking for some of that scoring punch from the 6-foot-4 freshman.