UK’s incoming frosh recruiting class is storied to say the least. Two of the top HS point guards in the country and the highest rated low post player in DeMarcus Cousins. But potentially the guy to make the biggest impact to the team right away is Daniel Orton.
As a rising 10th grader Orton was rated in the top 5 players in his class. He is a man-child physically and reminds many observers of a young Patrick Ewing. His play in high school was the stuff of Oklahoma legend, including tearing a backboard down his junior season (see video clip). Orton possesses a 7′4 wingspan and a 9′1 reach. Known for defensive prowess and shot blocking, he is a beast under the goal.
Maybe the most amazing thing about Orton is that, after hurting his knee during his senior year, doctors discovered that he had played his entire junior season with a torn ACL. Explosive off the bounce and offering UK a true back to the basket game, he will be the first bona fide impact center recruit on the UK campus since Sam Bowie.
