I didn't mean to imply that he lacked skills (I know he's a good passer), but perhaps the skills that makes one a top go-to option in an offense, which typically makes a player a star.
Well, maybe I missed it (I wasn't watching college bball a ton this year,) and I forgot to mention that Callipari does tend to hide players' skills, but I didn't see that much of an off the dribble game, at least not for the NBA level. And being good in transition is not the same as being able to create in a half-court setting.
Still, I'd probably take him 2nd overall because I'm just so indifferent about most of the top players in this draft. My list is pretty much Davis, Gilchrist, Beal, and T. Jones.
Let me rephrase the star thing. I think he could be a star! It all depends on where he goes, and how he's used. I think his chances are better on a young team like the Kings, or any young team out there, because he will immediately become one of the leaders of that team. He was the default leader of the Kentucky team, and he had second and third year playes listening to him.
No, he'll never lead the NBA in scoring, but he'll in all likelyhood lead his team into the playoffs, and possibly a championship down the road. And I doubt that they'll be anyone that doesn't think he's the leader of that team. He was the youngest player in college last season, but he played like a senior. This is a guy that won't let his team quit. As I said, I'm very biased when it comes to Gilchrist. I've been following him for a long time, and nothing would make me happier than to have him on the Kings. Not likely to happen, but I can hope.
A couple of other players that GM's will wish they drafted when they had the chance are Moultrie, and probably Meyers Leonard. Don't know if you know much about them, but Moultrie a 6'11", 230 Lb, PF, transfered after two years at UTEP, where he played SF, to Mississippi St, where they switched him to PF. He had a very good year averaging around 16 ppg, and 10 rpg. He has a nice jumpshot with range out to the 3 pt line, where this past season he took fewer shots, but made a much higher percentage. Shot selection is everything. I think the kid is just beginning to find his game, so in my opinion, he has upside left in the tank.
Leonard, a sophmore this past season is a 7'1", 250 Lb, Center from Illinios. After a dismal freshman season, he had a mini breakout year averaging 13.6 ppg, and 8.2 rpg. But he also averaged just under 2 blocked shots a game at 1.9. Leonard is big, long, and athletic. He's also very raw in a lot of areas. So he's a bit of a project, but someone that could be very good in a couple of years.
With the lack of good big men in the NBA right now, I can see someone making a reach for him in the lottery. He has a lot of upside. One area in which he surprised me was with his passing. Much better than I thought he would be. It didn't help him that he played on a guard oriented team that forgot that he was there at times.