The Estill County Tribune, February 22, 2017, Page 17 Shai is only recruit that is “not 5-star” him and Alexander should pics in Rio and could be the play well together.” highest profile freshman athlete at UK next season Likes His Class — with no offense to the Kentucky signee PJ UK football and basketball Washington of Findlay Prep teams. likes the 2017 recruiting Makayla Epps class that he’s part of but he believes there is more to Makayla Epps will play come as he continues to re- her final game in Memorial cruit Mohamed Bamba and Coliseum Thursday when Kevin Knox, two of the na- Kentucky hosts Mississippi tion’s top 10 players in the State. She could play again recruiting class. in Lexington if UK makes “I feel like we are close to the Sweet Sixteen since Rupp Arena will be a host by Larry Vaught getting them. I am working on it,” Washington said last site for one NCAA Region- Shai Gilgeous-Alexan- week during the Kentucky al. der is the only player in Lake Showcase in Marshall Epps has had an illustri- Kentucky’s 2017 recruit- County. ous career. Her 1,664 points ing class who is not a five- Knox visited Kentucky ranks fifth in UK history and star recruit. The Hamilton when the Cats lost to Kan- her 389 assists rank eighth Heights (Chattanooga, sas, the same weekend all-time. Tenn.) point guard is a four- Washington was also on She has been able to take star but ESPN national re- campus for an unofficial sophomores Maci Morris cruiting director Paul Bian- visit. and Taylor Murray basical- cardi is a fan and thinks he “I felt like he liked it. He ly under her wing for two will do well at Kentucky. is talking like he really liked years. Next year they won’t “I love him because he is it. I feel like we are in a have her with them for the steady. He is a solid, consis- higher place (with him) than first time. tent player,” said Biancardi. these other schools and we “They are my babies. I “He’s a strong athlete, a will get him,” Washington love those kids so much. good open shooter. He does said. They have so much potential a great job creating shots Some have speculated and I don’t even think they for others. He’s not an over- that Washington and Jarred realize it yet,” Epps said. whelming athlete, but he’s Vanderbilt, another signee, “When Maci went for 29 good enough because he are similar players to Knox against Arizona State early thinks the game. He under- and there might not be this year, I think it finally stands the game, which is enough playing time for all clicked that that is what you huge. He is not blazing fast, three. are capable of doing. Ten but he’s fast enough. “I am not even worried points, 11 here is good, but “I think he and Quade about that right now,” Wash- you are capable of going off (Green) will make a tremen- ington said. “I know we are for 29 if that is what you re- dous backcourt. It won’t be going to play together great. ally want to do. John Wall and Eric Bled- Coach Cal will find the right “Same for Taylor Mur- soe or Malik Monk and system for all of us to do ray. I think the freshman De’Aaron Fox, but they great things on the court.” year they gained a lot of ex- will complement each other What does he like best perience that helped them. and play well together. He’s about Bamba? This year they are both the type of guy you will see “Just his wingspan. He starters and now they are getting more experience. at Kentucky for a period of blocks everything, rebounds Makayla Epps plays her final UK home game Thursday but she can’t wait to see When I leave, they will be time and it would not sur- everything. I have been talk- how Maci Morris and Taylor Murray do without her. (Vicky Graff Photo) prise me to see him end up ing to him and trying to get fine. They will be juniors a NBA draft pick. him to UK. Texting, calling, and veterans and leaders of gotta get to know him, but to mention that smile of his! has changed for high profile “He can lead the team in all of it. I want him with us,” the team and I will be able he loves giving back to kids, I think everyone will re- athletes. assists. I like that he can see Washington said. to say that hopefully I had going to hospitals and visit- member how his smile and “Back when we were over traps, over the defense. But how many five-star a small part in how they ing them. People don’t real- laugh can bring light to any recruited we thought it was He can see around defend- players can one team sign in lead this team the next two ize that about Derek, he’s room that he’s in.” crazy and hectic,” Lochm- ers and he will shoot it and one year? years.” such a great guy.” Willis’ girlfriend, Keely ueller said. “We did not make shots. He’s going to “I don’t know, but we Final Home Game Willis feels the same way Potts, normally wears a have that level of basketball be a very good player for are trying to get them all,” about Hawkins. He calls Kentucky jersey with his goes year round like it does Kentucky and John Cali- Washington said. Seniors Derek Willis and him a “great” teammate, number and name to games. now. Dominique are both rare pari.” Ladycats Signee roommate and friend. Smith and Potts are having “Today these top players Biancardi says Green has four-year players under “He is one of the greatest special T-shirts made for the go through the same thing gone from a stocky, scoring Kentucky signee Syd- John Calipari, especially kids I have ever met, and I senior game with pictures with the recruiting attention guard in Philadelphia when ney McLaughlin continues when one considers they don’t really say that about of Hawkins and Willis to- but it is year round, not just he was younger to a true to add to her incredible re- were both Kentucky high a lot of people. Just a good gether on them. Both girls a few months a year. Some point guard who is one of sume. She set an American school stars. dude,” Willis said. “That also expect to cry during the will debate whether players the best passers in the coun- high school record in the Their final home game will be one thing I will re- pregame ceremony. today are more talented but try. women’s 300-meter hurdles will be Tuesday when Ken- ally miss when this is over. I “I hope all Kentucky they are so, so talented. “He understands not only of 36.82 seconds at the Artie tucky hosts Vanderbilt for will miss being around him fans remember that he truly “They have to deal with how to deliver passes, but O’Connor Invitational at the traditional senior send- and playing with him.” played the game for them,” a lot of unique situations. how to use his dribble to The Armory in New York. off that will also include Their girlfriends never Potts said. “He values ev- They do not have a second make passing angles work,” She had hoped to set the Mychal Mulder, a two-year miss a home game and erything this program, the away from anyone with so- Biancardi said. “His nature record a week earlier at the player. have seen what playing at university, and these fans cial media like it is now. In was to be a scoring guard. Millrose Games against a Kentucky fans have cer- UK means to both of them. have to offer, and I hope my time, we would escape His size made him a point star-studded field that in- tainly enjoyed watching They also hope UK fans they know how much this to someone’s house and guard. He changed his cluded Olympic gold med- Hawkins and Willis play understand how proud both opportunity has meant to just watch TV to get away game the last two years and alists Shaunae Miller and despite the ups and downs players have been to be part him.” from campus. Now with both have had for various thought about assists and Natasha Hastings. of Kentucky’s team. Early Start social media, they can’t do running his team. “That got into my head a reasons. They have also en- “I hope the fans remem- anything without somebody “He did a good job mak- little bit and I really didn’t joyed being at UK together. ber Dominique’s passion Jamin Davis wanted to know and people can be ing that radical change but run my race,” McLaughlin, “Derek has definitely and dedication. He loves enroll at UK in January to very mean on social me- his DNA is to score and his who signed with Kentucky been my best friend on this this school and he loves this get an early start on his foot- dia.” team for four years and play- mentality is to put the ball in November, said. “This team,” Emma Smith said. ball workouts. Quotes of the Week in the basket. He can shoot week I tried to get out and ing with him has been un- “He’s worked so hard the However, he also had it. He has to use a pull-up run my race and focus on all believable,” Hawkins said. past four years and it shows. another reason. “I wanted Quote of the Week: “If jumper because he has to be the points my coach taught “We have both seen our You never hear anything to get my feet wet when it I think you’re playing timid careful going to the rim be- me. From last week until bads and our goods while negative about Dominique, comes to grades and make in practice, I’m going to cause he is small. now it was about building we have been here. Derek and there’s a reason for sure I have my education bury you. If you can’t take “He is a high level com- confidence. Coming into is a tremendous player and that. straight,” said Davis, a line- me, how in the world are petitor. He understands this race I wanted to men- I love playing with him. It’s “He is such a well-round- backer from Georgia. you going to go in these how to take care of team- tally prepare myself that I going to be hard leaving ed man and it’s obvious He plans to major in me- games and take the other mates first. He is great to be could do this.” him. It’s just great to play anywhere he goes. Whether chanical engineering, not team? I’m rooting for you. around, loves the game and The New Jersey standout with somebody like that. he’s in an interview, talking exactly a typical major for a But I’m going to call you really helps a team win. He competed in the 400-meter “He’s a great guy. He’s to a fan, or on the court, his SEC football player. out,” Kentucky coach John is a great character guy and hurdles at the 2016 Olym- kind of a little shy guy. You passion is apparent. And not Why mechanical engi- Calipari said about getting neering? his team back into gear. “That kind of stuff inter- Quote of the Week ests me. Math and things Two: “It has sure brought like that. I was always in- me to my knees like noth- terested in doing advanced ing else ever had. I have math,” Davis said. “I al- been sick every day. It’s the ways was a fan of airplanes toughest thing I have ever and interested in aerospace faced, but I have got to do and things like that.” what I have to do,” former He said keeping up aca- Kentucky basketball player demically had not been a Larry Stamper on his battle problem so far. “If I need with cancer. help I can run over to ex- Quote of the Week tra tutoring and spend time Three: “This has been one studying,” he said. of the greatest years of my Lochmueller life from a professional standpoint and personal Eastern Kentucky Uni- standpoint of learning some versity athletics director lessons that quite frankly Steve Lochmueller is a for- I think I needed to learn to mer UK basketball and foot- become my best coach,” ball player. He still keeps Kentucky women’s coach an eye on the Wildcats and Matthew Mitchell on this can only shake his head season. Kentucky signee Sydney McLaughlin set a national high school hurdles record last week. (Myles Gaymon Photo) about the way recruiting