Kentucky Basketball: Grandpa Grady leads short-handed Cats past Bama

Grandpa Kellan Grady came ready to play and did he ever deliver

Kellan Grady came to Kentucky as a graduate transfer from Davidson where he scored over 2,000 points. All of us knew what he was capable of and we have seen snippets of it all season long but were longing for him to show us his firepower.

Well, that wait was over.

He played all but 35 seconds of the game and erupted for 25 points, dropping home 7 of 9 long bombs, grabbing 3 rebounds, handing out three assists, and getting one steal.

Five Kentucky players had scored 25 points in a game this season except for Grady. Well, that wait is over too and he joins that club now.

He was asked about the sense of urgency on having to step up against the Tide.

"“I try not to think about it. Like okay, this is my opportunity to go get 20. I figured just naturally there were going to be more opportunities for me to shoot the ball and to be involved and have the ball in my hands. What was most important to me was trying to lead. Sahvir (Wheeler) and TyTy (Washington Jr.) are a certain type of point guard and I know what I am. My goal was to get the ball across the court and allow the five of us to play, initiate, and make a first pass. Allow the first pass to be easy, and then let us play and that’s what we did. I just hope that the rest will take care of itself and thankfully it did.”"

Quiet but deadly with his shot including a sweet hook as he drove the lane early in the game, he and Mintz’s poise and veteran leadership were key factors. Mintz is also the elder statesman on the team at 23 years old and turns 24 in June. He added 7 points, two assists, and three steals.

Grady was able to create shots off the dribble like the floating hook shot while calmly splashing down contested treys. Instead of being just the deep threat shooter, he made so many things happen in the game inside the arc.

Kentucky will need this from both their super seniors as the season moves into tournament action in the next two weeks.