Wildcat Blue Nation
Fansided

Kentucky Basketball: 3 things Derek Willis must do to make an NBA Roster

By Frank Spencer

Feb 4, 2017; Gainesville, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks with forward Derek Willis (35) against the Florida Gators during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Gainesville, FL, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks with forward Derek Willis (35) against the Florida Gators during the first half at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Kentucky Basketball
Feb 18, 2017; Athens, GA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Derek Willis (35) battles for a loose ball with Georgia Bulldogs forward Derek Ogbeide (34) and guard J.J. Frazier (30) in the second half at Stegeman Coliseum. Kentucky won 82-77. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Competitive Spirit

Willis needs to prove his is a true competitor. Kentucky Basketball fans have seen how competitive Derek Willis can be. If it were up to us, he’d be one of the first players from this season’s team that we would like to see make it to the NBA. It may be a tougher road for him though. He doesn’t have the high profile recruiting spotlight. He didn’t get the minutes he maybe wanted throughout his career at Kentucky. But, what he did get was an opportunity. Sometimes all it takes is just a shot in the dark for a player like Willis to impress the right people.

He was the MVP of the Reese’s Collegiate All-Star game. In that game he shot 6 of 11 for 13 points. He also grabbed a team high eight rebounds. It’s that competitiveness that is going to land him a spot with an NBA organization.

Whether or not that grit and game spirit translates to an NBA squad, that is yet to be determined. But, it won’t be because he doesn’t want to win. Every team wants a player who does the intangibles. Diving on the floor for loose balls, hustling after rebounds and knocking down his fair share of shots is what Willis must do to make it to the NBA.

Home/Kentucky basketball