John Calipari might have a problem at point guard but it is a good problem this year

Davion Mintz gives John Calipari another option on what looks like a loaded roster next season. (UK Athletics Photo)

The return of Davion Mintz for another season gives Kentucky coach John Calipari a good problem to have for next season. Calipari seems to have a wealth of talent in the backcourt and perhaps more choices at point guard than he’s ever had — and they all seem like good choices at this point.

Veteran ESPN analyst Dick Vitale replied to my tweet about Mintz returning with this comment: “Just what they need another guard / great for practice situations but how is the PT going to be divided up among so many guards?”

Fair question but one I think Calipari welcomes because he certainly has options at point guard.

— Mintz was UK’s best 3-point shooter and most consistent player last season but he also took over at point guard at the end of the season and was sensational. He showed he could run an offense and find open teammates but also make shots. He’s not explosive going to the rim but he gets the job done. He also has a year playing for Calipari and understands what playing at Kentucky means.

— Sahvir Wheeler, the Georgia transfer, has played two years in the SEC and led the conference in assists last year (and was also among the nation’s leaders). He’s a pest on defense much like Tyler Ulis used to be. His negative is that he was only a 22 percent shooter from 3-point range last year but he’s embraced his flaw and worked to improve his shot.

— Freshman TyTy Washington was one of the nation’s most improved high school players last season and made himself into a lockdown defender. He also shot over 40 percent from 3-point range against talented competition on the Grind Session. He might have the most upside of any point guard on the roster but he’s also the only one without college experience.

— Kellan Grady, the Davidson transfer, is a shooter who has scored over 2,000 points. However, he has played some point guard even though I don’t think that is the role Calipari envisioned for him with the Cats. Still, a fifth-year shooter with point guard experience is a huge plus if needed.

So who will start? I don’t know. Part of me says Wheeler because of his high assist numbers at Georgia. Part says Mintz because Calipari knows exactly what he can get from him. Part says Washington because Calipari has never been afraid to let a true freshman run the team, especially when he has the talent around him Washington would have.

All I know is after the point guard issues UK had last season when it went 9-16, too many point guards is a much better problem to have than not enough point guards like the Cats had last season.