Bob Watkins' Sports in Kentucky
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Page 12, The Estill County Tribune, November 25, 2015 outstanding. It has lived up honorees. to the hype so far,” Briscoe “Our whole (recruiting) Tai Wynyard said. class is ver close. We have * * * become like best friends,” “As parents we are not Will the fan noise have Jackson said. “I don’t think looking forward to seeing an impact on Kentucky any of us would want to let him go. However, we are football recruiting? Could it the others down by de-com- confident that he is going cause players to de-commit mitting. We believe we can to be in a nurturing environ- or make players understand win. We don’t want to feel ment where he can learn, the passion UK football like we can win. We want to grow and be the best he can fans have and show them feel like we can’t lose.” be,” Jason Wynyard said. the opportunity to play ear- Jackson said at least four They describe him as ly at Kentucky? other players — Daniel, a fun-loving kid that gets That’s the questions I Ohio quarterback Gun- along with everyone. posed to Kentucky coach nar Hoak, Georgia defen- “If Kentucky fans don’t Mark Stoops last week. sive lineman Kobe Smith already love him, they will “Well, I think it can af- and Ohio receiver Dakota once they get to know him,” fect somebody in different Holtzclaw — also plan to said Karmyn Wynyard. ways. You’re not sure. We enroll for the start of the Larry Vaught “Tai is a good role model continue to build our rela- second semester. and caring big brother to tionships and recruit play- “I have heard there is a Now that he has signed his brother and sister. This ers. Sure, players that are chance there could be more, his letter-of-intent and will makes us proud.” close, they hear the noise but right now there are four soon be joining the Univer- The player and his par- and all that. It could affect of us,” Jackson said. sity of Kentucky basketball ents have seen little of UK them either way, I’m sure,” * * * program, Tai Wynyard of basketball this season since Stoops said. Former Kentucky All- Auckland, New Zealand, games are not on TV in The coach admitted there American Mike Pratt, now says he can’t wait to get to New Zealand. was always reason to worry a analyst on the UK Radio Lexington. “That’s life here in little about de-commitments at Basketball Network, knows “I’m really excited to old NZ (New Zealand),” any programs. many fans would still like get into the system and Tai Wynyard said. “Certainly when you lose to see UK play a regular- just start balling and learn- “Hopefully we can travel some games it doesn’t help season game in Louisville ing everything I can,” said as a family to see Tai this you in that front. But no, I like the Cats did for years to he 6-9, 230-pound forward season, but for now we are feel very good about it. I feel give more fans an option to who was part of the World hopeful some games will be very good about the nucleus get tickets. He also knows Select Team that beat Team aired on TV here in New of this group. Very good. I it likely will never happen USA at the 2015 Nike Hoop Zealand,” his mother said. think if you look across col- again. Summit. Wynyard’s parents have lege football, there’s going “I think if all the neutral His parents, Jason and been told Kentucky is “bas- to be some (de-commits). site games continue — and Tai Wynyard, right, isn’t worried about whether Karmyn Wynyard, say they ketball crazy.” They don’t And when some happens, I am not sure they wil — it he redshirts or plays this season. The 6-9 forward are excited and also grate- think that will bother their let’s not panic. We’ll be won’t happen in Louisville. from New Zealand is excited just to be joining ful to coach John Calipari son. OK. We are recruiting quite The single hardest thing Kentucky for the second semester. for giving him this opportu- “Tai is a very grounded a few players right now. So for a school like Kentucky (New Zealand Breakers Photo) nity. young man, and we are I feel very good about the or Louisville is scheduling. “We believe Tai is ready sure he will take it all in nucleus of what we have re- Kentucky would play Duke ington. (Indiana coach Tom) son games in Louisville. to pour his heart and soul his stride,” Jason Wynyard cruited,” Stoops said. home and home. Duke does Crean turned it down. I saw While they were nice, I into this and to take his said. “As parents, it’s fan- Woodford County offen- not want to play,” Pratt the contract, so I know that just don’t see it happening game to another level,” Ja- tastic to know there is so sive lineman Drake Jack- said. is true. All they wanted was again.” son Wynyard said. much support for Kentucky son, an Army All-Ameri- “North Carolina is not home and home. But you * * * Calipari says Wynyard basketball. And now we are can, feels the same way. sure it wants to continue can make more money in If you have a comment, is a totally different player fans, too.” He’s a key to Stoops’ 2016 a home and home series. Indianapolis than from a suggestion or criticism, from others in his sign- Of course, Tai Wynyard recruiting class along with Kentucky does. Kentucky home game. It would have let me know at larryvau@ ing class or on the current will have to adjust to certain linebacker Kash Daniel of had a deal on the table for been a financial bonanza gmail.com or on Twitter at team. things in Lexington like no Paintsville and offensive four games with Indiana. for both teams. But it won’t @vaughtsviews. I’ve en- “With Tai, you’re talk- surfing or wood chopping lineman Landon Young of The first two would be in happen. joyed hearing from a lot of ing about a 6-9 physical like there is in New Zealand. Lafayette. They are also Indianapolis and then in “Same with regular-sea- you the last few weeks. athlete who is not afraid to But he also enjoys fishing both Army All-American Lexington and then Bloom- get physical,” Calipari said. and swimming when not “He has good skills. The playing basketball. most exciting part is what “Probably just missing he’s done with his country’s my family and being able to national team. Everybody go to the beach will be what Bob Watkins’ Sports In Kentucky that’s watched him recently I miss most,” Tai Wynyard has said, ‘Man has he gotten said.” Being close to the Sweet potato pie to birthday No. 96, Thanksgiving is about gratitude better. He’s competing at a sea is a lot of fun because high level.’ They’ve never you can do so much, but facts filed away just below end to bowl officials. ball greatness in Kentucky, seen him as physically fit.” I’m sure Kentucky will be the conscious level.” – Dr. • Wildcats (5-6), off a Louie Dampier is a Hall of He committed to Ken- amazing, too.” Joyce Brothers 58-point show have their Famer. 3. A father’s proudest mojo back? On the line: 18. Kids in Kentucky tucky almost a year ago * * * and has been doing his best One distinction that moment occurred in Ala- It’s UofL, it’s a bowl bid harboring a Big Blue dream to stay in basketball shape Kentucky freshman guard bama last month. Gregg and, it’s two more weeks to and in need of worthy role while finishing academic Isaiah Briscoe will always Farnetti, football coach at practice. models – Alex Poythress requirements so he could have is that he was the first West Blocton High since 9. Alabama-Birming- and Derek Willis. enroll at the semester break high school athlete to write 1990 stepped down after ham basketball coach Jerod 19. Just Wondering at Kentucky. He recently for The Players’ Tribune, a the season finale but not be- Haase donated $46,000 of Dept. Will Katina Powell of spent time playing in Hun- website founded by former fore “the proudest moment his own salary to help pay UofL sex scandal fame, be gary. New York Yankees great of my life.” for men’s and women’s pro- among nominees for Ken- “I’ve been playing a lot Derek Jeter. An extra point attempt grams’ cost of attendance tucky sports person of the with the Breakers (his lo- The website provides near game’s end sent No. this year – $23,000 to each year? cal team) and various other direct first-person stories 24 racing out to try the PAT. program. Haase’s salary? 20. Andre McGee and teams, so I’ve been pretty from athletes and Briscoe Bob Watkins Kick was perfect. A sideline One million annually. Jalen Rose (ESPN) remind busy. The event in Hungary wrote about social media. celebration included the 10. Northwestern Wild- us, by way of sex scan- was a cool experience and I “I was just showing “Think I’ll cut back on coach hugging the kicker. cats (9-2) are bowl bound dal and tawdry confession loved being apart of a world people how today’s world some of the Thanksgiving No.