The 5 Best Freshmen From Kentucky's John Calipari Era

Nerlens Noel, 2012-2013

PER: 27.3

Number four on our list, Nerlens Noel, didn't enjoy as much success in his one year at Kentucky. His Wildcat team finished just 21-12 on the season and failed to make the NCAA tournament.

I say finished though because Noel himself was not able to finish the season. After playing in 23 games, in which Kentucky went 17-6, Noel suffered a torn ACL in early February in game number 24. From there on, the Wildcats weren't the same.

They missed their star freshman -- and it's no secret why. In his 23-plus games, Noel led the Wildcats in Win Shares per 40 (.209), Win Shares (4.0) and Box Plus/Minus (14.6).

Noel wasn't super-effective or gifted offensively, but he did average 13.1 points and 3.4 offensive rebounds per 40 minutes. He had a much bigger impact defensively.

Noel posted a Defensive Rating of 81.9 (the only one on the team below 87), and averaged 5.5 blocks and 2.6 steals per 40 minutes.

Even with a surgically repaired knee, Noel left Kentucky after his lone year and was selected sixth overall in the 2013 draft.