"Nerlens' athleticism, jumping ability and length give us another shot-blocking presence that allows us to take some gambles defensively. He can block shots with both hands and he's shown that he's willing to work and listen to the coaching staff so that we can play to his strengths." -- Head coach John Calipari
2012-13 Wayman Tisdale Midseason Watch List ... SEC Freshman of the Week (1/21, 1/28, 2/4) ... ESPN Defensive Player of the Month (December) ... SEC Freshman of the Year ... SEC Defensive Player of the Year ... 1st Team All-SEC ... All-SEC Defensive Team ... Freshman All-SEC ... USBWA Freshman All-America ... Secured fifth double-double of season and third straight against Auburn with 10 points and 12 rebounds ... Posted fourth double-double of the season in win over South Carolina with 10 points and 10 rebounds to go along with five blocks ... Tallied third double-double of the season at Texas A&M with a career-high 19 points and 14 rebounds ... Recorded a school-record 12 blocks in win at Ole Miss ... Posted 10 points, eight rebounds, six blocks and two assists vs. LSU ... Totaled eight points, 13 rebounds and a career-high eight blocks against Alabama ... Finished with 10 points, nine rebounds, seven blocks in 25 minutes in win at Auburn ... Solid stat line against Tennessee with 12 points, nine rebounds, six blocks, four steals and two assists ... Against Texas A&M, finished with 15 points, 11 rebounds, seven blocks, six assists and four steals ... In SEC debut at Vanderbilt, finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, three blocks and two steals ... Grabbed 13 rebounds against Eastern Michigan ... Registered first career double-double against Marshall with 11 points and 10 rebounds ... Totaled seven points, nine rebounds, seven blocks and four steals in 22 minutes against Lipscomb ... Blocked seven shots against Portland, while grabbing nine rebounds ... Against Samford totaled 13 points, six rebounds, five blocks and two steals in 25 minutes ... Grabbed a career-best 16 rebounds, and tallied six steals, third most by a freshman, against Baylor ... Scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds at Notre Dame ... Against LIU Brooklyn, finished with 18 points, eight rebounds, career-high five assists and five blocks ... Tallied first double-figure rebounding game with 11 boards against Morehead State ... Against Lafayette totalled 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists, four steals and a block ... Posted personal bests with 16 points, 6-of-8 free throw shooting and four steals in game against Duke.
High School Named the USA Today National Player of the Year ... Earned Parade All-America honors ... Rated as the top player by ESPNU recruiting and Scout.com and the best center prospect ... Tabbed the top-ranked center and the second-best overall player by Rivals ... Averaged 12.6 points, 3.9 blocks and 7.2 rebounds per game as a senior at Tilton ... A member of the Jordan Brand Classic East squad and was one of four finalists for 2012 Naismith High School Boys Player of the Year ... A member of the USA Junior National Select Team for Nike Hoops Summit.
Personal Son of Dorcina Noel ... Chose Kentucky over Georgetown and Syracuse ... Born April 10, 1994 in Malden, Mass.
