Bruiser Flint praises Shaedon Sharpe's decision to enroll early: "It's a huge benefit"

Shaedon Sharpe was one of four players to sign with Kentucky to open the early signing period Wednesday, joining five-star prospects Skyy Clark, Chris Livingston and Cason Wallace. His arrival, however, will take place one semester earlier than his class of 2022 counterparts.

Sharpe announced Tuesday he would be enrolling in January, with UK confirming his early arrival on Wednesday.

“Sharpe will enroll at Kentucky for the 2022 spring semester,” the school announced.

“Shaedon has the ability to be one of those guys that we’ve had make a special impact on this program,” John Calipari said in a release. “He is an elite scorer with a ton of upside. He’s a 6-5 athlete who I would describe as bouncy. What I love about Shaedon is the work he has put in over the last year to take his game to the next level.

“I look forward to seeing that work ethic take on a new challenge at Kentucky.”

“It’s a huge benefit.”

In a mid-week press conference, Bruiser Flint opened up about Sharpe’s decision to enroll early, saying it’s one all players in his shoes should make. In his eyes, nothing compares to the day-to-day competition players face at the Joe Craft Center, especially compared to the high school level.

“I think any kid who can do something like that will really benefit,” Flint told KSR. “You see the difference in the ability of the players you’re getting ready to go against. Shaedon is a good player, really athletic, but day in and day out, he’s not going against players like that in high school. That’s why I think it’s a huge benefit for him to come in and learn about preparing, preparing differently from high school to college.”

By making the jump, he’ll be able to see a new level of talent, size, physicality, speed and athleticism. Sharpe has to adjust to life as a Division I student-athlete eventually, why not get started now?

“He’ll see preparation is a little bit different, the physicality of it every day, being at practice every day against good player,” Flint added. “When you’re in high school, you don’t get that. So it’s an adjustment coming to college, some guy all of a sudden kicking your butt in practice.”

“(Sharpe’s) going to get a head start.”

There’s a reason Sharpe is the No. 1 player in high school basketball. With his second-to-none scoring ability and athleticism, he’s the best player in the gym every time he steps onto the floor. There was nothing left to gain by dominating the competition at his current level a few extra months.

“(Coach) Cal always talks about recruiting, “You don’t always want to be the best player in the gym every day because you don’t get any better that way. You want to be challenged.” That’s the biggest thing for him coming in,” said Flint. “He’s going to get challenged in practice, even though he’s a really, really good high school player.

“He’s going to get a head start, that’s going to be the biggest thing for him.”

The plan is for Sharpe to use the spring semester to develop and prepare for the 2022-23 season. Flint added that — despite the No. 1 prospect being ready if his number is ultimately called — there are no current plans for him to play this season.

As Sharpe’s mentor, Dwayne Washington, told KSR this week, though, “that can change at any moment.”

At minimum, he’s developing his game and preparing for next season. At maximum, he’s helping the team win now. Either way, it’s a best-case scenario for both parties.