How to Interact With Athletes on Campus

Today was the first day of school for all you UK students out there, and this rite of passage wouldn’t be complete without a pop quiz. Hypothetical scenario: it’s your first day of college. You’ve got your backpack full of books that you probably won’t need, your lunch money jangling happily in your pocket, and you’ve successfully avoided your mom’s request for a “first day of school” picture for the fridge (“Honey, why can’t you just ask your roommate to take it?”). You’re strolling merrily along Limestone, minding your own business, when all of the sudden- you see Nerlens Noel. How do you react?

(A) Immediately run up, ask for a picture with him, and throw your three goggles with abandon. CHEESE!

(B) Stare. Just outright stare. He doesn’t look that tall on television…

(C) Casual head nod (“sup, bro?”), then continue on your path. Ain’t no thang.

Correct Answer: (C). Lezzbehonest: in real life, most freshmen would do A or B. But, newsflash: as starstruck as you may be by the shadow cast by Nerlen’s flattop, he’s technically your peer now. YOU ARE THE SAME AGE AS HIM (and I’m almost five years older. Practically a dinosaur, or Digger Phelps). Sure, some athletes may be just one year away from professional careers and thousands in endorsements, but that doesn’t mean you have to act like a creep around them. So for all the freshmen reading this, here’s a handy guide for how to appropriately interact with athletes on campus- so that you don’t stick out even more than you already do (lose the lanyards, though. For real).

DO: Treat athletes like normal human beings. Use this as a guiding principle for every time you are within the vicinity of a UK athlete. Would you ask for the autograph of the girl next to you in Psych 101? No? Then don’t do it if you happen to find yourself sitting next to Alex Poythress in class.

DON’T: Bother them if they have their Beats on. Everyone knows the universal law of earbuds: if someone has earbuds in, it is physically impossible to break the sound barrier and talk to them. With athletes and Beats, this rule is multiplied ten-fold. Beats might as well be a huge “DO NOT DISTURB” sandwich board around their necks. Don’t mess.

This fan broke the Law of Headphones and lived to tell the tale. 

DO: Follow Josh Hopkins’ words of wisdom. In his second post, “Meeting John Wall,” Josh confesses how nervous he was at approaching John Wall for a picture while at a bar in LA. He strategically planned his approach- said hi as he walked by, asked if he could get a quick picture after dinner, then follow through once Wall was about to leave. Polite, uninterfering, and not at all stalkerish (save for the slightly neurotic running commentary occurring inside Josh’s head at the time). If you absolutely MUST get a picture with your favorite UK player, follow Josh’s example.

SUCCESS.

DON’T: Ask for pictures while they’re going to class, in the act of eating, or seem otherwise occupied. Acceptable photo ops? Public places (WalMart, Kroger, Orange Leaf), the blue courts, leaving dining establishments, and fund-raising events.

DO: Occassionally feed into the “Big Men On Campus” hype. By this, I mean that after an athlete has an outstanding play or record-breaking game, stroke the egos a little bit. For example, cheering Matt Roark’s walk to class the Monday after the Tennessee game- totally fine. Starting a “Da-vis! Da-vis! Da-vis!” slow clap at Ovids after the UNC block- probably necessary. Part of the fun of attending a big-time athletic school like UK is the infectious enthusiasm floating around campus when a team is on a roll. Embrace it when it’s deserved.

DON’T: Heckle players after a poor showing. The necessary corrollary to my previous point. Every now and then, a player or team has an off night. They will probably recognize this. Their coaches will definitely recognize this. Frankly, they don’t need you to let them know how much you didn’t appreciate them choking the weekend before. Keep it to yourself.

And finally…

DO: Relish the “Athletes are people, too!” moments. Savor running into Wiltjer and Polson at Graeter’s. Giggle to yourself when you watch Archie Goodwin ride his scooter to class. Take a mental snapshot when you see LaRod King eating Ramen straight out of the cup. Again, one of the perks of going to a school like UK is seeing athletes before they’re pros and having some common ground with them, if only for a year or two. Enjoy it while you can.

@KristenGeilKSR

Source: ksrcollege.com

Chicago Tribune Thinks Anthony Davis is Having the Best Year Ever

Calling it “The Dream Year,” the writers here in my neck of the woods profiled Anthony Davis and his nearly unfathomable accomplishments in 2012. Every major college basketball award, a NCAA championship, first pick in the NBA draft, and the youngest player ever to represent Team USA, and win a gold medal? Check, check, check, quadruple check, annnnd still technically waiting on that last one (I’m so tired of #spoileralert. So unbelievably tired).

The Davis clan has enthusiastically jumped on board with Team USA, with Anthony’s dad (maybe) hyperbolically declaring, “Besides him being born, this is the greatest day a parent could have, to see him go from being an unknown in Chicago to winning a national title at Kentucky and maybe a gold medal in the same year.” Mama Davis chimed in too when asked about the family’s plans to move to New Orleans for awhile to help Ant get adjusted to his new job: “He’s still young, so we just want to make sure he adjusts… You know, make sure he doesn’t forget anything.”

Hmm… like this?

Click here for the full article.

Source: ksrcollege.com

Ten Years Ago…

National championship seasons nonwithstanding, 2002-2003 was my favorite season of Kentucky basketball to live through. I was in eighth grade, and it was probably the first year that I was able to knowledgeably discuss basketball and our team with my dad and his pals. It was also the centennial celebration for Kentucky basketball, which is a pretty frickin big deal. I’m pretty sure I’ve waxed poetic about this season before- my love for Keith Bogans, my excitement at our undefeated SEC season, and obsession with this picture- but today at my internship with Fox Sports Chicago (bear down), I found the 2002-2003 Kentucky Basketball media guide laying nearly forgotten on a shelf, begging for me to dust it off and read it in between Cubs and Sox games. Considering it’s the ten year anniversary of that season, it only seems fitting that I take a trip down memory lane. Let’s begin…

First, I have to say I’m a fan of the cover. Simple contrasting images, visually showing readers how far the program has come in its 100 years. “Unparalleled Tradition” is also a solid tagline- no need to get fancy and verbose when our record speaks for itself.

The media guide starts off rather dramatically: “In 1903, Kentucky’s W.W.H. Mustaine collected $3 for a ball… and so the legacy begins.” Truth be told, I didn’t realize that that was how our saga started, but I salute you, Mr. Mustaine. The guide includes a twelve page timeline of Kentucky basketball history, including lots of short-shorts and a strangely framed picture of Tubby Smith holding up a recently-sheared basketball net…

The Canadian flag? Really?

After a season outlook, we go into my favorite section- player profiles. Each player profile includes a Q&A sidebar, and really, it’s my KSR duty to bring you the fun facts about that year’s team. There are some gems. Shall we enter bullet format?

-Keith Bogans: Biggest superstition? “If a broom touches you, spit on it.” (What?!) If I could switch places with one person for a day: “Bill ‘Smooth’ Keightley” (aww…)

-Josh Carrier: If I could switch places with one person for a day: “Hugh Hefner.” Last concert I saw: “Lexington Jazz Concert.” (What a classy guy!)

-Bernard Cote: Dream job not in basketball: “Police officer.” (Currently, he’s Marketing Manager for Advertising and Classics Business Development at Reebok. Not a police officer, but not too bad either)

-Erik Daniels: The CD currently in my player: “Lil Wayne- 500 Degrees” (I’m torn between laughing at the fact that ten years ago, CD players were a thing, and being impressed that Erik Daniels was ahead of the trend on Lil Wayne). My Derby Horse would be named: “Lil’ Diddy Fresh.” Complete this sentence: I love… “To party.” (…)

-Gerald Fitch: Dream job not in basketball: “Winning the lottery” (Not technically a job, Gerald)

-Cliff Hawkins: Last concert I saw: “Ja Rule” (I judge anyone who considers Ja Rule a legitimate rapper. Seriously, I could probably outrap him AMIRITE).

-Chuck Hayes: Last concert I saw: “Bill Cosby” (I wasn’t aware that was a concert). Dream job not in basketball: “UK’s Director of Basketball Operations” (I don’t hate that at all). I picked my jersey number because: “Fitch had number 4″ (Burned).

-Matt Heissenbuttel: Not many people know this but I: “have a 39″ vertical” (I did not know that). Favorite sport other than basketball: “Putt putt golf” (I am so unsurprised).

-Preston LeMaster: My dream date: “Dolly Parton” (No comment)

-Brandon Stockton: Not many people know this but I: “Like playing basketball.” Dream job not in basketball: “Sitting in an office doing nothing.” I love: “Basketball.” (Wait, do you like basketball, do you LIKE like it, or do you LOVE it?)

Whew. I may have gone overboard with that. Sorry, folks.

The rest of the basketball part of the media guide profiles the staff, season opponents, 2002 season review, and the SEC. All information you can find on the Internet pretty easily. However, we then get into “This Is UK Basketball,” a section highlighting exactly what makes the Kentucky program so unique. From Basketball Pageantry (what a fancy name!) to Cats in the Pros (that should be a pretty thick section in this year’s guide), and yes fellas, Kentucky Cheerleaders, this part of the media guide describes what it means to be a part of Big Blue Nation.

Fittingly, this segues into “Tradition,” the records and history section dealing with the more black and white aspects of UK basketball lore. The media guide closes with “This Is UK,” reminding us that there’s more to the university than just basketball, and media information. Personally, it’s worth looking through basketball staff profiles just to see how far we’ve come in the 200s hair and fashion-wise. I’m really relieved perms aren’t a “thing” any more. Also, that we’ve upgraded a little bit in terms of our “Famous Fans”… ten years ago it was just Ashley Judd and Kevin Richardson of the Backstreet Boys. Considering Drake, Lebron, Jay-Z, and Turtleman are now part of BBN, I think we’ve upgraded.

 

It was a nice trip down memory lane, but I have to say, I’m ready for this year’s media guide to come out already. I could use some bedtime reading. Bring on the DY9ASTY.

@KristenGeilKSR

Source: ksrcollege.com

Calipari and “Up-Transferring”

A long, long, time ago- okay, last month, but that’s eons in Internet age- Luke Winn of SI.com wrote about the trend of “up-transferring,” in which basketball players who are at schools that would be middling in the 1-10 hot scale decide to date up a couple of numbers. Historically, players have tended to transfer down to schools where they’d get more playing time or play a greater role rather than moving up the college basketball ladder; however, this season, 25 players will be eligible for basketball action after transferring to schools with more impressive college basketball programs than their previous schools.

 

Two such up-transfers are on Kentucky’s 2012-2013 roster, with Ryan Harrow (via N.C. State) and Julius Mays (via Wright State) expected to play significant roles this season. The chatter surrounding UCF’s Keith Clanton seems more and more like just that-chatter- as we inch closer to the official start of school, but it’s still evident that Calipari’s participation in the up-transfer phenomenon is more evidence of his tendency to have his finger on the pulse of the latest college basketball trends. Calipari is notorious well-known for embracing incoming freshmen who are assumed to be one-and-done players. However, opening the doors to transfers from mid-major programs shows a different aspect of his coaching philosophy; basically, that while talent is enough to win championships (see also: 2011-2012 season, #8, etc), he values experience as well.

Cal’s legions of haters blast him for excessively relying on young lineups while running an NBA-factory mill. Ryan Harrow and Julius Mays buck this trend and give the Cats roster next season a well-rounded look. As a competitor for the starting point guard position, Harrow will be entrusted with the position of floor general and filling the big shoes of former Cal point guards Derrick Rose, John Wall, Brandon Knight, and Marquis Teague- all of whom went pro after one year of college play. Wright, meanwhile, is expected to give the Cats some cushion in three-point shooting while providing the steadying influence of a senior, a la Darius Miller. Nerlens Noel, Archie Goodwin, and Alex Poythress may be the sexier storylines, but journalists and fans that follow UK closely agree that Harrow and Wright may be the difference between a Final Four and a National Championship. Acquiring these up-transfers helps refute the argument that Calipari focuses only on flashy, big name recruits that will dominate Sportscenter’s Top Ten before hanging out in the green room of the NBA draft the following June.

 Recently, Tara Bilby argued that Calipari’s greatest coaching challenge in the near future would be finding the next Darius Miller, a glue guy from the heartland of Kentucky. I’d personally like to see Cal take on the challenge of reaching out to current players with Kentucky-caliber potential who aren’t happy in their current situations and selling UK to them. It would be even better to see him take those players and develop them into first round draft picks who may have otherwise been overlooked. We know he’s got the “take teenager, make him into an NBA professional” job down; but how about “taking a college basketball player and helping him reach his full potential, even if it means reteaching him a new style of play than he’s previously worked with and THEN turn him into an NBA professional”?

Sure, many call that “poaching” and argue that it’s an unethical approach, but people said the same thing about recruiting one and done players. Eventually, all coaches will be doing so in order to try and keep their programs on top of college basketball. Such a recruiting tactic would also be in line with Calipari’s “players first” motto, because it would keep the player’s best interests at heart by leading them to a program that would be better suited to their personal needs and wants. And when you’re already perceived as the biggest cheater in college basketball- what do you really have to lose?

@KristenGeilKSR

Source: ksrcollege.com

Chicago Tribune Thinks Anthony Davis is Having the Best Year Ever

Calling it “The Dream Year,” the writers here in my neck of the woods profiled Anthony Davis and his nearly unfathomable accomplishments in 2012. Every major college basketball award, a NCAA championship, first pick in the NBA draft, and the youngest player ever to represent Team USA, and win a gold medal? Check, check, check, quadruple check, annnnd still technically waiting on that last one (I’m so tired of #spoileralert. So unbelievably tired).

The Davis clan has enthusiastically jumped on board with Team USA, with Anthony’s dad (maybe) hyperbolically declaring, “Besides him being born, this is the greatest day a parent could have, to see him go from being an unknown in Chicago to winning a national title at Kentucky and maybe a gold medal in the same year.” Mama Davis chimed in too when asked about the family’s plans to move to New Orleans for awhile to help Ant get adjusted to his new job: “He’s still young, so we just want to make sure he adjusts… You know, make sure he doesn’t forget anything.”

Hmm… like this?

Click here for the full article.

Source: ksrcollege.com

Calipari and “Up-Transferring”

A long, long, time ago- okay, last month, but that’s eons in Internet age- Luke Winn of SI.com wrote about the trend of “up-transferring,” in which basketball players who are at schools that would be middling in the 1-10 hot scale decide to date up a couple of numbers. Historically, players have tended to transfer down to schools where they’d get more playing time or play a greater role rather than moving up the college basketball ladder; however, this season, 25 players will be eligible for basketball action after transferring to schools with more impressive college basketball programs than their previous schools.

 

Two such up-transfers are on Kentucky’s 2012-2013 roster, with Ryan Harrow (via N.C. State) and Julius Mays (via Wright State) expected to play significant roles this season. The chatter surrounding UCF’s Keith Clanton seems more and more like just that-chatter- as we inch closer to the official start of school, but it’s still evident that Calipari’s participation in the up-transfer phenomenon is more evidence of his tendency to have his finger on the pulse of the latest college basketball trends. Calipari is notorious well-known for embracing incoming freshmen who are assumed to be one-and-done players. However, opening the doors to transfers from mid-major programs shows a different aspect of his coaching philosophy; basically, that while talent is enough to win championships (see also: 2011-2012 season, #8, etc), he values experience as well.

Cal’s legions of haters blast him for excessively relying on young lineups while running an NBA-factory mill. Ryan Harrow and Julius Mays buck this trend and give the Cats roster next season a well-rounded look. As a competitor for the starting point guard position, Harrow will be entrusted with the position of floor general and filling the big shoes of former Cal point guards Derrick Rose, John Wall, Brandon Knight, and Marquis Teague- all of whom went pro after one year of college play. Wright, meanwhile, is expected to give the Cats some cushion in three-point shooting while providing the steadying influence of a senior, a la Darius Miller. Nerlens Noel, Archie Goodwin, and Alex Poythress may be the sexier storylines, but journalists and fans that follow UK closely agree that Harrow and Wright may be the difference between a Final Four and a National Championship. Acquiring these up-transfers helps refute the argument that Calipari focuses only on flashy, big name recruits that will dominate Sportscenter’s Top Ten before hanging out in the green room of the NBA draft the following June.

 Recently, Tara Bilby argued that Calipari’s greatest coaching challenge in the near future would be finding the next Darius Miller, a glue guy from the heartland of Kentucky. I’d personally like to see Cal take on the challenge of reaching out to current players with Kentucky-caliber potential who aren’t happy in their current situations and selling UK to them. It would be even better to see him take those players and develop them into first round draft picks who may have otherwise been overlooked. We know he’s got the “take teenager, make him into an NBA professional” job down; but how about “taking a college basketball player and helping him reach his full potential, even if it means reteaching him a new style of play than he’s previously worked with and THEN turn him into an NBA professional”?

Sure, many call that “poaching” and argue that it’s an unethical approach, but people said the same thing about recruiting one and done players. Eventually, all coaches will be doing so in order to try and keep their programs on top of college basketball. Such a recruiting tactic would also be in line with Calipari’s “players first” motto, because it would keep the player’s best interests at heart by leading them to a program that would be better suited to their personal needs and wants. And when you’re already perceived as the biggest cheater in college basketball- what do you really have to lose?

@KristenGeilKSR

Source: ksrcollege.com

Tyler Roberson Lists Kentucky Among His Final Ten

According to Alex Kline of The Recruit Scoop, 2013 power forward Tyler Roberson has narrowed his list of schools to ten, and (surprise surprise) Kentucky has made the cut. A New Jersey native, Roberson is 6’8” with great versatility. He’s able to hit a jump hook, attack with the ball on the floor, and make long shots with consistency. Rivals lists him as a four star recruit and 53rd in his class.

Other finalists include Alabama, Florida, Kansas, Rutgers, Seton Hall, SMU, South Carolina, Syracuse, and Villanova. Kentucky has yet to offer him a scholarship.

Source: kentuckysportsradio.com

Ramel Bradley Signs With Israeli Pro Team

According to Eurobasket’s David Pick, former UK guard Ramel Bradley has signed with the GreenTops Netanya in Israel’s Premier League. Bradley, who I fully credit with bringing the Roc hand gesture to UK, averaged 12 ppg, 3.6 rpg, and 2.6 apg with his last team, the Maccabi Ashdod.

Ramel still has his sights set on the NBA, and hopefully this move will bring him one step closer to home. Because no one loves New York more than Ramel Bradley. No one.

Source: http

True Life: I’m a Top Basketball Recruit

As Kentucky fans, we know what happens from the moment a highly coveted basketball recruit steps foot onto our campus as an official member of the team- the endless requests for pictures, the autographing of babies, and the cereal tributes made in their likenesses- but what happens while they’re still in high school is a little bit of a mystery. Luckily, Robbi Pickeral of ESPN.com spent a day with Kennedy Meeks, the second-ranked center in the class of 2013, to shed some light on what goes on behind the scenes in the daily life of a top high school player.

Ranked 28th overall in the class of 2013, Meeks is a 6-9 hunk of a center who rightfully shares Glen Davis’ “Big Baby” moniker. He has over a dozen scholarship offers (not yet one from UK, although he has expressed an interest in the school) and probably four times as many daily text messages from top tier coaches. His family has pitched in to help manage his recruitment, each relative with a different role  in academics, advise, and AAU trips financing (although they are all constantly on the watch for shoes that fit Meeks’ size 17 feet. They should probably ask Jarnell Stokes for some recommendations).

And of course, with the constant travel comes separation from his family and support system- plus nearly missing out on milestone high school events, such as prom:

The hardest part of pursuing his dream, Meeks admitted, is being away from his close-knit family so often. Playing high-level AAU basketball has meant traveling almost every weekend since April and competing sometimes twice a day. In June and July alone, Meeks found himself at camps and/or tournaments in Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., South Carolina and Richmond, Va.

The only way he was able to make it to his prom in May was to fly home early from an event in Texas. And because he had so little time to spare, he counted on family to have his clothes and transportation ready when his plane landed.

The article is an interesting look at the intense schedules and pressures that inevitably come on the road to a college decision. Meeks delegates the task of answering texts and phone calls and juggling recruits to one aunt while he’s playing in games- it’s overwhelming enough to make you understand why Jabari Parker would change his phone number and keep those precious digits private. What’s even more daunting is realizing that if everything goes according to plan, this pressure-cooker situation won’t stop for the players- it will continue through college, through draft combines, and through NBA careers.

At Kentucky, we focus on what recruits can do for us and how Calipari is working his magic to lure high caliber players, forgetting that the recruiting path goes two ways and high school players see their games and interactions with coaches as “job interviews.” Click here for the full article and remember- they may be our future national champions, but until then, they’re just kids playing the sport they love and hoping to make a career out of it.

And, in case you were wondering (which I know you were, because recruiting tidbits are all we have to subside on for now), Meeks is trying to narrow it down to five schools by this weekend and make a final decision after taking official visits.  He says he’s not leaning towards any specific schools yet. He also had a flattop at one point in his life.

@KristenGeilKSR

Source: kentuckysportsradio.com