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Calipari Era: Small Forward #2

By Austin Sutcliffe

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Playing small forward for John Calipari can mean a couple of things. You might come in and be playing small for you position like Trey Lyles or you could be playing position less basketball like what is expected for next years team.

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Speaking of the versatile small Trey Lyles, he cracked the Calipari list last week coming in at number three. It was his smooth stroke from 15 feet and how he adapted his role for the better of the team that landed him where he did.

"This season would have seemed to be a challenge for him, but he proved to be up for the challenge. Where Lyles thrived the most was from about 15 feet out. When the second unit came in, sometimes the offense could become stale unless Devin Booker was feeling it from deep, you could always depend on the mid range game from number 41. His .536 percent from two point range proves his offensive worth."

The next player to play for John Calipari did it all. He experienced the change of not being recruited by him, to starting for him his sophomore season. That turned into risking to coming off of the bench his senior year for the better of the team. A true team player, no other than Mr. Darius Miller.

One thing that makes Darius Miller unique is that he is actually from Kentucky. Yes, it is great getting five star athletes who are the best of the best, however it is always nice to have a home grown player to root for.

Darius was a player that Calipari could count on for his leadership on and off the court. Shipping in and out McDonald’s All Americans, Darius was forced to step up and lead, weather it be a big shot from three against LSU or making the sacrifice to let Michael Kidd-Gilchrist start his senior year.

His numbers were never flashy, but they did not have to be. He struggle with the three point shot early in his career, but found his stroke later on shooting .443 percent his junior season. He could also throw it down if given the opportunity. Remember the dunk against St.Johns?

How does the Big Blue Nation feel about Darius Miller? He survived the Billy Gillespie era. Contributed a heavy amount to his sophomore and junior year as a true small forward. Then his senior year stepped out of the starting role for the better of the team. Better put, the fan base loves themselves some Darius Miller.

As much as we love Darius Miller though, there is still one more small forward who did it at higher level for Calipari. In order to find that out, you will have to tune in next friday! Relive the Miller glory days with these highlights below.

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