Calipari: Noel a work in progress

Kentucky coach John Calipari and his staff received Nerlens Noel’s letter-of-intent Thursday.
The team’s fourth signee is a 6-foot-10 forward and played for Tilton (N.H.) last season and is slated to be the Wildcats’ inside replacement for Anthony Davis, who declared for the NBA Draft earlier this week. Noel averaged 12.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.9 blocks a game last season. He competed in the Jordan Brand Classic and is a finalist for the Naismith High School Boys Player of the Year. Noel also is the top-rated player in the nation by several recruiting outlets, including ESPNU Recruiting, Rivals and Scout.com.
“I’ve been blessed three times in my career to have a player that can change the game without really scoring with Marcus Camby, Anthony Davis and now Nerlens Noel,” Calipari said. “I will tell you that Nerlens, just like Anthony, is not a finished product. He’s got a lot of work to do and we have a lot of work to do to get him to where I think he’s capable of being, but he is a special player who I am ecstatic to have an opportunity to work with.”
Noel will join Willie Cauley-Stein, Archie Goodwin and Alex Poythress as incoming freshmen on this year’s team.
“As we recruit, just like last year, it’s like piecing together a young group that will play off one another,” Calipari said. “The four that we’ve now signed will all play off one another. They’re all great kids who have a desire to win, have terrific talent and who all complement each other.”
The spring signing period ends May 16.