Nick Richards, left, could be a rim protector and rebounder that UK really needs next season. (Jeff Houchin Photo)
How much do basketball players truly care about playing at the University of Kentucky?
Kentucky Basketball Radio Network analyst Mike Pratt believes they care a lot more than UK fans sometimes believe.
“There is no question they care. You can tell by way they respond to questions and interact with people around them,” said Pratt, a former UK All-American. “Do they care about getting to the league (NBA)? Sure.
“It sounds good when you sign (with Kentucky) to talk about one reason is because of the way Cal gets players to the league. But they have personalities and they really enjoy their experiences and the love they get from BBN.”
Pratt said sometimes he thinks fans might overreact to what they hear from those close to players or what might be said when a player leaves for the NBA.
“Kids really enjoy their stay and enjoy being a part of it here at Kentucky,” Pratt said. “They grow close during their time at UK. Calipari does wonderful job building a family atmosphere and anyone who doesn’t get that just doesn’t get UK basketball.”
Two players who will be staying at UK for a second season are center Nick Richards and point guard Quade Green. Sophomore Wenyen Gabriel along with freshmen P.J. Washington and Jarred Vanderbilt are continuing to weigh their professional options before deciding if they will return to UK next season or not.
Pratt believes Green and Richards are “huge” for the upcoming season and what they can add to Calipari’s team.
“Quade gets somewhat of a bad rap for last season,” Pratt said. “He played better than people are wiling to give him credit for. He did force some things but he got into that situation because of the development of Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander). I am just not sure he felt as comfortable as he wanted all year. I want to see him get a full run at playing point guard because I still think he is really talented.”
Richards is still developing after not starting basketball until much later than other players his age. Pratt said he “totally lost confidence” in his play by midseason and never recovered last year.
“He never got that confidence back and that just kills you,” Pratt said. “He needs to re-energize, get that confidence going. He has potential. I think he’s very important to what this next Kentucky team can or cannot do.
“He struggled to catch the ball in a crowd and struggled to be involved. He had a tendency to stand and watch and then you are playing 5-on-4. A lot of that, though, had to do with him losing confidence and he would just hang around the fringe rather than drop the ball or make a mistake. I am more than willing to write that off as a lack of confidence and experience.
“Those are absolutely correctable errors. It just depends on how much he wants it. He is quick off the floor. Cal has obviously decided to go get shooters. But this team will need a guy that can board, get cutbacks and be a goalie at the rim. To me, that describes Nick Richards.”
(STORY BY LARRY VAUGHT)
