Coach Casey Takes Care Of
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The Estill County Tribune, July 20, 2016, Page 15 Coach Casey Takes Care of “Her Kid” Actually, her “kid” is mention, ‘Wouldn’t it be now a six-year veteran who great if we went to Ken- played in the Eastern Con- tucky together?’ So it went ference finals this year and in their heads but they had has scored 3,301 points; to make their own deci- grabbed 1,940 rebounds; sions. Jai made his decision handed out 502 assists; and before Patrick did. He chose blocked 226 shots. He’s Florida, and we’re like, ‘Oh, played with Houston and what did he do that for? He Sacramento also. said he was going to Ken- “Six years and he’s a vet- tucky. So, I’m like, ‘Patrick, eran. It’s just crazy to think you have to make your deci- that,” Tywanna Patterson sion what’s best for you.’” said. “But we love Toronto. She remembers about We are surrounded by fans 18 to 20 schools that her that are so passionate. It re- son initially liked before he Larry Vaught minds me of Kentucky.” reduced his list. She said it Her and her husband, was a “crazy” time. When Patrick Patterson Buster, as well as Pat- “We had a cell phone and joined the Toronto Raptors rick Patterson always get he was on my plan. Back two years ago, his mother plenty of reminders about then there was not unlimited admits she did not know Kentucky when he plays text messaging,” she said. coach Dwane Casey was a in Indianapolis, Cleveland “One month my bill was former Kentucky player or or Detroit -- NBA venues over $400. All these coach- Patrick Patterson has become a NBA veteran and his mother, Tywanna, loves assistant coach. where UK fans can drive to es were calling. I was like, the way Toronto coach Dwane Casey looks after her son. “I just did not know that easily. ‘Can you please stop calling ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ at all,” said Tywanna Pat- “The fans are still as and let us call you?’” terson. “But I love Dwane great as ever,” Tywanna Her son always felt an Casey. He lets young men Patterson, who now lives in “alliance” to Kentucky and UK’s Best Defensive Player cal, coming off the ball and “They are great human play their game. The NBA Union, Kentucky, said. Smith. She said Patrick wor- by Larry Vaught is a little different from col- It was the same when ried Billy Donovan would doing everything right,” beings and even greater lege. In college, whatever Patrick was a prep star in leave Florida for the NBA, One plus that new UK Gran said. coaches,” Toth said. “You the coach says goes. In the Huntington and was being which he eventually did. offensive coordinator Eddie “John knows where to go can tell by the way they NBA, there is more lee- recruited by some of the na- “We loved Tubby and Gran will have that is prob- and when to go. I think he go about themselves in the way and if a player has an tion’s best programs. There when he left Kentucky, we ably a lot more important anticipates well. He stud- football building that they idea for setting up a play or were numerous rumors that were not sure what to do,” than many realize is veteran ies and understands the love the game of football. something, the coaches lis- Patrick Patterson and Jai Tywanna Patterson said. center Jon Toth, a two-year defense. That is huge for a “Really there hasn’t been ten. Lucas would be a package Obviously, Patrick Pat- starter who could again be center. He is really good at too big of changes, a few ter- “Dwane is a good family deal to UK for coach Tubby terson came to Kentucky, UK’s best offensive player. pass protecting. minology and some scheme man. He creates a family at- Smith if he had stayed at endured two brutal years Gran says it is “huge” to “He is a really good changes. All in all, it’s been mosphere and I love that. I UK instead of leaving for with Billy Gillispie and then have player of Toth’s ability run blocker, too, but being a pretty easy transition.” want a coach to love my son Minnesota. got to play one year for John to anchor the offensive line. matched up sometimes in a Toth did not make any or have his best interests at “I think the media kind Calipari before becoming a “You have a quarterback 3-4 defense where he is one of the preseason all-SEC heart. Dwane does that. He of blew that up,” Tywanna first-round NBA draft pick. and then a quarterback of one one with a nose guard, I teams selected by the media takes care of my kid.” Patterson said. “Patrick did the offensive line making think he matches up well.” at the SEC Media Days, a Toth is just as happy to slight that irritated former ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ all the calls and getting ev- erybody going. I think that have Gran and quarterbacks UK quarterback Freddie st first (offensive line) group coach Darin Hinshaw run- Maggard. is a really sharp group. They ning the UK offense even “He’s the best center in 1 Rounder Will Get Better did not have a lot of missed if it is fourth offensive co- the SEC,” Maggard said. his ability to run the floor, “The real question is how by Larry Vaught assignments in the spring. ordinator in his five years at “That was ridiculous.” pretty good jumper. He will long will it take him to get Now it is about being physi- UK. I recently asked former get stronger. That is not a better. He was a relatively ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ UK All-American Jack Giv- real concern with guys in inexperienced player com- ens to explain to me why the NBA,” Givens, a former ing into UK. He had a lot to Skal Labissiere was still a NBA player and NBA TV learn, probably a lot more Brooks Surprised by Two Former Players first-round pick and what he analyst, said. “You can see than most guys. I think he Tamme says Joker Phil- yard were seen as huge stars thought his career might be he will get better on the of- will be a good player. I don’t by Larry Vaught lips, who jump started his when they came to Ken- like. fensive end. He can face the know if he will be a future Former Kentucky coach career when he moved tucky. Not many expected “He has a skill set not basket and can knock down star, but he will likely be a Rich Brooks has not been Tamme from receiver to them both to last so long in many guys his size have — an 18-foot jump shot. serviceable player.” surprised by the success two tight end, did the same as the NFL, either. of his former players — Ja- UK’s offensive coordinator. “I knew they were good cob Tamme and Wesley He remembers being at the enough. My question was Woodyard — have had in CATSPY Awards after his whether they would be able the NFL. Both will be start- senior season and looking to stay healthy enough with ing their ninth NFL seasons forward to seeing if he could their size,” Brooks said. when they report to training make a NFL roster when “They are both a little un- camp. Phillips stopped him. dersized at their positions “Coach Brooks was a “He said, ‘Jake, you will obviously, but they are great huge part of my career,” play as long as you want,’” people and great individuals Tamme said. “It’s amazing Tamme said. “That was a and they know how to take the things he said to me. One nice thing to say. People say care of themselves. thing I try to keep in mind is negative things but a word “And they are very smart. that small words of encour- of encouragement like that They get what they need to agement go a long way. I means a lot and I try to do do and go out and do it. Tre- remember coach Brooks that for younger players mendous athletes and tre- always saying things to spur now.” mendous people. I still talk me on.” Neither Tamme or Wood- to both of them all I can.” Check Out Our Discounts on all Smar tphones & Jack Givens believes Skal Labissiere will have a successful NBA career. (Vicky Graff Photo) Tablets In Stock ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Recruit Has Fantastic Showing Switch ing analysts believe Kansas overdo it. When I am putting Now & by Larry Vaught leads, especially since UK up shots, I put up more than Save Kentucky recruiting tar- backed off his recruiting I am supposed to. I put up get DeAndre Ayton, a 7- for a time before resuming shots until I get sore, even $$$$ foot center who plays for efforts to land the player before a game. Just overdo- Hillcrest (Phoenix, Az.), many consider the top re- ing it sometimes is a prob- had a fantastic showing at cruit in the 2017 class. lem for me,” Ayton said. the Peach Jam. He averaged Ayton may have a little He only started playing Authorized 21.5 points, 12.8 rebounds, DeMarcus Cousins-type basketball about six years Black 2.4 blocks and 1.9 assists personality. Or maybe Wil- ago in the Bahamas and per game in seven games lie Cauley-Stein would be a while he’s being projected Wireless to help California Supreme better comparison.