Devin Askew (UK Athletics Photo)
Will John Calipari go with an exciting, talented freshman (Devin Askew) as his starting point guard or will he turn to a fifth-year senior (Davion Mintz) because of his experience for three years at Creighton?
Sophomore forward Keion Brooks does not care.
“It looks like whichever point guard Cal goes with, they can both get the job done. They’re different in some respects, but some others they’re similar,” Brooks said. “At the same time, they’re both really capable of getting the job done.
“They’re both good shot makers. They get our team involved in every situation on offense. Whichever way (Calipari may go), I mean, they’re both going to play so it really doesn’t matter who is out there on the floor because I believe in both of them.”
Askew says he’s already learned plenty from Mintz, who sat out last year at Creighton because of an ankle injury before deciding to transfer to UK.
“I’m a pretty good leader, but I’m seeing the way that he leads. It’s giving me the extra edge. It’s fun. It’s fun learning from him,” Askew said.
The freshman says there are differences between the two point guards.
“I’m a pass-first point guard. Davion, he scores the ball and he can pass as well. He can really shoot the ball well. I can shoot it, but he can shoot it really well,” Askew said.
Mintz says it is “fun” to be with another player who goes as hard or harder daily than he does. He likes Askew’s ambitious nature and work ethic.
“It’s like looking in the mirror at somebody who goes so hard. I know he will compete every day. That’s what I like,” Mitnz said.
The Creighton transfer says he has enjoyed teaching Askew how important it is to have a “great relationship on the court”daily.
“That’s by him competing against me every day and that’s by me competing against him every day. That’s just us guys wanting better for each other. It’s been fun and he’s been doing really well so far,” Mintz said.
Askew said the combination of things the two bring offer a lot of versatility for UK when it opens the season Wednesday night against Morehead.
“You can do whatever with our team. We have a lot of guards and we can play anywhere on the court,” Askew said. “With us being able to do that, you can put anyone at the one, anyone at the two, even at the three.”
