Ryan Harrow next Kentucky playmaker?

Like several Kentucky non-seniors, freshman playmaker Marquis Teague will have to make a quick decision about returning to school or entering the NBA.

If the 6-foot-2 Teague enters the June 28 draft, as widely predicted by many national analysts, the next Kentucky playmaker likely will be Ryan Harrow, formerly of N.C. State.

After one season with the Wolfpack, Harrow transferred shortly after Mark Gottfried was hired (April 5, 2011) to replace Sidney Lowe as head coach.

In 29 games at State, Harrow averaged 9.3 points and 3.3 assists but was inconsistent on offense, a defensive liability and frequently fatigued.

At Kentucky, Harrow has used the year to gain 15 pounds (now 6-2, 165) and work on his stamina.

"I definitely feel stronger," Harrow told reporters in early February. "I go in the weight room with a cut off T-shirt and lift weights because you get a little bit more buffed when you lift the weights and look in the mirror than when you are just walking around."

In the team media guide, Kentucky coach John Calipari says of Harrow: "Ryan should be in the best position of any point guard I have ever coached because he's got a year to be tutored without the pressure of having to play."

In the Oct. 26, 2011 preseason team Blue-White game, Harrow played 14 minutes and finished with 10 points, four assists and one turnover.

If Teague returns, Calipari could have an embarrassment of riches at point guard, but Teague (9.9 ppg, 4.8 assists) and Harrow have enough height to play a few minutes each game on the wing.

- Caulton Tudor