Devin Askew (SEC Photo)
Freshman point guard Devin Askew has taken a lot of criticism from Kentucky fans and even coach John Calipari for Kentucky’s 8-14 season. He has turned the ball over too often, not made key shots, had trouble getting UK into a consistent offense, and has been beat on defense. Many Kentucky fans have wondered why Calipari has played him so much, but the UK coach really has had no choice — he has no other point guard because he needs Davion Mintz to be UK’s scoring guard.
Give Askew credit, though, for not complaining publicly or making excuses. He’s never blamed anyone but himself from what I’ve heard this season.
A few weeks ago he said things I saved for future use and it just seems like now is the time to let fans see some insights into his personality he shared that day.
Start with what he has enjoyed most about this season.
“Even though we’re losing, that time before the game, putting on a Kentucky jersey, just knowing I’m a kid from a small place in Sacramento, California and I made it to Kentucky. I’m happy with that. And just going out there and fighting with my teammates, I find joy in doing that,” he said.
“Even though the games are very close, I find joy in close games because, at one point, we’re going to come out on top and that feeling is great. But that’s what I find joy in is fighting with my teammates and knowing I came from a small place and I’m here.”
Sounds similar to what a kid growing up in a small town in Kentucky might say about playing for the Wildcats.
What has been fun for him during this pandemic disrupted season that has also produced more losses than UK ever anticipated?
“Just getting better. I fall in love with the process. This may sound weird, but I fall in love with struggling because I know there’s going to be good that comes out of it,” Askew said.
“I fall in love with getting better every day. I fall in love with things that are tough and things I need to get better with. That’s what I find joy in. I find joy in not being the best in certain things because I’m going to put in the work to eventually become the best.”
Again, hard to find fault with that work ethic or not being afraid to face a challenge. All season coaches and UK players have talked about how much time Askew spends in the gym trying to get better.
Askew has also worked on not having negative body language on the court, something he was guilty of earlier in the season.
“It’s very important in the games to keep great body language and stay in the game, never quitting on the team,” Askew said. “Body language is important. It’s what other players on the team feed off of.
“If I see one player with bad body language, I might have bad body language. Just, energy is contagious. Staying positive throughout the game, especially late in the game, is important.”
Again, not making excuses for Askew’s costly turnovers or missed shots. However, I do sometimes think it is only fair to listen to a player’s story, and unfortunately in today’s big-time athletics, especially during a pandemic, there are not many chances for a player to share thoughts like these.
