Quotes from the Seven Kentucky Wildcats Heading to the 2015 NBA Draft
By Brian True
Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari (right) gives instruction to forward Willie Cauley-Stein (15) in the first half of the 2015 NCAA Men
Willie Cauley-Stein, forward
On his decision process …
“Probably from the get-go. I was going to leave last year, but I broke my ankle. I didn’t get a chance to play in the Final Four so that was my whole motive coming back. This year I got a chance to play in it. I’m healthy, and my whole thing coming back is if I stayed healthy I was out. There is no reason to come back, if you are healthy and you can go, you should go.”
On Alex Poythress’ decision …
“It could go both ways. He can think about it like how I thought about it which is, if I come back I am doing something that has never been done. I am trying to make my name and I feel like I did that. If I’m coming back it’s for a purpose, and to be better than what everyone thought I was going to be. If he is going to come back that has got to be the motive. I came back and took this year like it was my rookie year.”
On starting a new life outside of UK …
“I am excited. It’s a chance to start your life. There’s going to be a lot of speed bumps along the way. You know those are going to be the things that make you who you are. It’s going to build your character so I’m excited to take a leap of faith and if I fall the pick-up is going to make your name so you have to fall sometime. Whatever you do to pick it up, that’s your name and I hope mines big.”
Aaron Harrison, guard
On his decision to enter the NBA Draft …
“It was just time for me to go to the next level. I think I’m ready for the next level. I haven’t really heard much with draft projections, but I feel like I’m one of the best No. 2 guards. I had an up- and-down season, but I still think I’m one of the best No. 2 guards in the draft. I just have to go out there and prove it.”
On the most memorable part of this season …
“The fun that we had this last run. There was electricity around Lexington. We made a deep run in the tournament and were just at the top of college basketball. It’s one of the best feelings ever.”
On if there was ever a chance, when it came to him and his brother, of one staying and one entering the draft …
“No. We made the decision together. We’re pretty much in the same boat with this.”
On if it scares him that he won’t be with his brother next year …
“I wouldn’t say it’s scary. I think we’re excited to break apart and live our own lives. Of course I’ll miss him a little bit, but I don’t think it will affect us.”
On the toughness of his decision to enter the NBA Draft …
“It was pretty tough. Just being somewhere where you’re loved and treated really well. I love Lexington, but it was just time to chase my dream.”
On how Kentucky will be in the future …
“They’re in great hands. Tyler (Ulis) is a great point guard and is definitely a great leader. I think they’ll be a good team next year with the returning guys and the freshmen coming in. They’ll have a great season.”
Andrew Harrison, guard
On being able to declare for the NBA Draft …
“It’s really cool, but it’s just now beginning. Like they say, you’ve got to fight for what you want and don’t worry about what anybody says about you and just fight and believe in your talent. Obviously, we are all pretty talented in our own rights and it was fun. This was the best experience of my life playing basketball here at the University of Kentucky, and I’m so thankful for them for having me here these past two years.”
On what he wants to show NBA teams before the draft …
“I want to show them how big I am, how fast I am, how athletic I am.”
On the possibility of separating with Aaron Harrison …
“We are prepared for that. We are not even together all of the time here, so it’s not that bad. We’ll be alright.”
On the feedback he has received from NBA teams …
“I didn’t really get a lot of feedback, my parents got it – and mostly my dad. They said that you can’t really worry about mock drafts and things like that. They just said that you have to show them in the workouts, show them in the combines and in the team workouts. I think it will be fine. I’m not worried about it.”
On the mock drafts and what he has learned from them …
“People try and act like they don’t pay attention to them, but don’t let all the freshmen fool you. They pay attention to them. Myself, I’m not worried about it. I feel like I’m the best player on there, so it doesn’t matter.”