Kellan Grady is anxious to play in front of passionate fans like those at Kentucky. (Vicky Graff Photo)
After spending four years at Davidson where he scored over 2,000 points, no one has to tell graduate transfer guard Kellan Grady how important this summer will be to him at Kentucky.
“Being able to get acclimated to the campus, to a new level of workouts, a different type of competitive environment, the more preparation and the more time we have to get used to each other and to improve I think will only behoove us to become better for the season once the season comes around,” Grady said Wednesday.
“I’m excited that hopefully, we’ll be able to get together in the summer and work together. I think it will be very important.”
He said he does not yet know any of the Kentucky players personally.
“I look forward to being able to meet with them and compete with them though,” he said.
He also did not reach out to former grad transfers Davion Mintz, Reid Travis, or Nate Sestina to see what their move to Kentucky was like.
“I haven’t talked to any of those players, although my dad actually went to Bucknell for a couple of years before he went to American so he has a couple of friends that knew Nate Sestina’s experience and said that he enjoyed it,” Grady said.
“My father was instrumental, my high school coach, and the former director of my AAU program and my AAU coach. I took a lot of conversations and I was trying to be sure I approached this decision with due diligence and detail. I’m confident wholeheartedly that I made the right decision.”
That includes understanding how passionate the Kentucky fan base can be in good times as well as difficult times like the recent 9-16 season.
“For me it’s exciting. I think it’s a privilege and an honor really to play in an environment like Kentucky and be supported by Big Blue Nation and such an ecstatic fan base,” Grady said.
“I think with that much excitement and passion for a team, I’m sure it can potentially get overwhelming at times for people, but I think that’s part of a man’s decision and really stepping into a big stage like that.
“So, I’m excited about it overall and I know Kentucky’s fan base is loyal and passionate. I think that’s important for a college athlete.”
