Adou Thiero's added muscle turning him into multi-positional defender

Adou Thiero‘s offseason transformation has been making headlines in recent weeks. The rising sophomore guard has bulked up something serious since the end of last season, to the point where he looks like a supped-up version of his former self.

Kentucky strength and conditioning coach Brady Welsh posted a graphic on social media not long ago that gives a much clearer idea of just how hard Thiero has been working. Thiero has added over 35 pounds to his frame and nearly five inches to his vertical, not to mention the fact that he’s still growing. He’s now listed at 6-foot-7, according to head coach John Calipari, after arriving on campus last summer hovering around the 6-foot-4 mark.

Not even Thiero himself can fully believe the progression he’s seen with his body in such a short amount of time.

“I didn’t really realize how strong I was getting until people started pointing it out and then I realized ‘Geez, I’m getting a lot stronger’,” Thiero told reporters on Wednesday. “So I think it’s just really helped my game a lot and I don’t want to get stronger anymore. I just want to stay like this, maintain this strength.”

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Considering his limited role last season, the added muscle and dedication to the weight room is a welcome sight.

Thiero could never consistently find his way onto the court as a freshman in 2021-22. He came to Kentucky as a low three-star recruit and was clearly raw at that stage, but the potential buried inside of him was equally as clear. He appeared in 20 games for the Wildcats last season, averaging just 2.3 points and 1.9 rebounds in 9.5 minutes per contest. But he learned a lot along the way, and his hiccups from last season will only help him as he enters year two.

“I feel like everyone comes in and struggles,” Thiero said. “I think my struggle was just a little bit longer and by the time I understood it, the season was over. But I think I can take the knowledge that I got from last year and bring it into this year’s team and do what I can to help this team win.”

Thiero has grown up as a guard, but his redefined body will have him playing all over the hardwood for Calipari, specifically on defense. He’s quick enough to stay in front of ball handlers and is now big enough to hold his own against opposing bigs.

“I think it’ll help me guard multiple positions and just be a good defender all around,” Thiero said of his added muscle. “Be able to guard the one, two, three, four, and if I got to switch onto the five I’ll be able to guard him for a little bit.”

He also intends to bring more effort inside the paint and in the rebounding department.

“I’ve been trying to use my body more to get in the paint, create for myself, create for others, or just get rebounds because rebounding is important. Get us more possessions and cut the other team’s possessions down.”

If Thiero’s on-court skills can keep up with his body, there could be something special brewing in the Pennsylvania native. Don’t forget that Calipari said Thiero will “have a huge impact on college basketball” at some point. This is a step in that direction.

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