Derek Willis not planning to transfer from Kentucky Wildcats

With all the talent on this Kentucky Wildcats basketball team, it was predicted from the very beginning that some players would get lost in the mix.   Now, John Calipari has done a great job with the platoons and keeping most of his players happy, but lately, Derek Willis has been the odd man out.  

"The 6-foot-9 sophomore forward had appeared in just four of the Wildcats’ previous 10 games, playing a total of 23 minutes and scoring just 14 points. Six times, he never even got out of his warm-up suit. Understandably, the former Bullitt East star and Mr. Basketball finalist began losing interest. “It’s just kind of weird. You go your whole life playing and then you’re not really playing as much. I don’t know, it’s just kind of like falling out of the game,” Willis said. “Just don’t know what to do, really. Just kind of looking for answers. I’ve asked a lot of people, talked to them about it, (and) I’m really just getting the same thing: Just get in the gym more and just be around the game more.” He admits that lately, when it comes to practice and the extra time players spend working on their craft on their own afterward, “usually I’m one of the first people out.” That’s why, even when starting forward Alex Poythress was lost for the season to a torn ACL last month, Willis wasn’t called upon to take some of those suddenly-available minutes. It’s why when Calipari finally decided to go back to the two-platoon system a week ago against Missouri, Dominique Hawkins got the nod instead of Willis. “I’m putting it on myself,” he said. “I just need to put more effort into the game if I want to play.”"

Granted, Willis seems to realize that he has to earn his time back and he did mention that he plans to remain at Kentucky for the whole four years.  Hopefully he can regain his passion as there can be a place for him on this team.

Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Willis’ plight is not unusual. Marcus Lee was in the same situation last year and Dominique Hawkins has been there as well. Bottom line is that you have to be ready when your number is called. One thing is for certain: Willis will get plenty of support from his coaches and team mates.

"Maybe the best thing for Willis is knowing that his teammates and his coaching staff support him. Lyles praised the sophomore, saying he’s done well with the opportunities given to him. “Derek’s been playing very well with the minutes that he’s getting,” Lyles said. “He practices with us every day, so he just had to get his opportunity to go out there and play and that’s what he did the other day (against Alabama). He did well.” After the Alabama game, Coach Cal was also positive about how Willis performed against the Tide. “I thought he did great,” Calipari said. “I did. I thought he did great. And he can defend and I put him in and the guys (said), ‘Derek, you can do this.’ I mean, they’re for each other. That’s what’s been fun about this.” It’s obvious Willis has no shortage of supporters around him. He just needs to find the motivation in himself to get playing time."

Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports

After a long weekend at the Hoophall CLassic, John Calipari is back in town ready to lead his team against Vanderbilt tonight. Cal did take in another game watching Jaylen Brown. Here is a pretty complete report of what Brown offers courtesy of Tom Westerholm.

"The powerfully built senior — who is still uncommitted, but has visited Kentucky, Kansas and the University of North Carolina as recently as last week — was not available to speak to the media after Wheeler’s loss to Bishop O’Dowd on Monday, but he dominated his match-ups, scoring both against zone and man coverages. The vast majority of Brown’s points came in the paint, as he attacked the rim repeatedly both off the dribble and as an offensive rebounder. Scouting reports have listed Brown’s jump-shooting as a potential weakness, but on Monday, Brown swished a 3-pointer from above the break and knocked down a pair of pull-up jumpers from the elbow. It was a small sample size, but his form looked fluid — a good sign going forward, even if he doesn’t shoot a high percentage yet. Where Brown truly excelled, however, was in transition. Bishop O’Dowd struggled to keep him away from the rim, in part because of Brown’s speed, strength and athleticism, but also because his options were varied. Brown demonstrated good passing instincts, moving the ball ahead to his teammates and creating opportunities at the line, but he also could finish around the rim in a variety of ways. The most prominent, of course, were his thunderous dunks — he was able to rise and throw down hard, even through contact. But he was also able to scoop the ball in and use his powerful frame to create space for easy baskets. He also has a quick second jump and strong hands, which allowed him to grab and finish put-backs of his own misses."