The Estill County Tribune, March 29, 2017, Page 13 Hamidou Diallo never lost track of his plan Question: What is game Diallo: “I have played ed that we really didn’t have day like for you? with him, too. He is just a any snow. I was disappointed Diallo: “Definitely been great defender. Catches lobs, when it was 30 degrees and hard. For anybody that blocks shots, great defender. I was freezing. But recently wants to play, sitting on the Very athletic player.” I have enjoyed the weather. bench is hard. It has been Bitter 75-73 Loss It’s real nice. I went back to tough but was something Miami for spring break and that I planned. Great but Kentucky’s season did it was scorching hot. I am tough.” not end the way any UK actually liking the weather Question: Do you catch fan, coach or player wanted here now.” yourself thinking how you with the bitter 75-73 loss Kentucky offensive co- could be helping the team in to North Carolina Sunday ordinator Eddie Gran is also games? in the South Region final. liking what he’s seen from Diallo: “Yes. It’s tough not However, don’t forget UK Thomas. playing.” won 32 games, won the “I’ll tell you what he by Larry Vaught Question: What have SEC regular-season cham- does, he battles. He reminds you spent the most time pionship and also won the me a little bit of (running At times he might have working on in practice? SEC Tournament. back) Benny (Snell) in wondered what it would be Diallo: “Just being con- But let’s also put one terms of his mentality and like to be playing at Ken- sistent in everything I do. myth to rest — or at least how he’s going about it as a tucky now, but Hamidou Try to be a professional try. freshman. Now, lot of time Diallo insists he never lost and be consistent every How many times do you left and all that, but I sure track of his plan. day. Definitely working on read or hear that Kentucky’s do like where he’s at,” Gran He enrolled at Kentucky the shot. Just be efficient. one-and-done players only said. in January intending to red- Working on strength, shot, care about the NBA and be- Thomas said he’s been shirt the rest of this season stuff like that.” coming millionaires? It hap- playing both slot receiver and then have a head start on Question: Can you stop pens all the time. positions and that suits both the 2017-18 season where these guys in practice? For anyone that believes him and Gran. he figures to be a starting Diallo: “Definitely. Ev- that, I hope they got a look at “He’s actually learning guard for coach John Cali- erybody knows I defend video from the UK dressing both, which is pretty good pari’s team. pretty well. I just come in room after Sunday’s loss. It for a true freshman. He’s He’s a five-star recruit there and compete with was pure heartbreak watch- getting in there and mixing with the length and athleti- them and make sure they ing freshmen Bam Adebayo it up. I do like his toughness. cism that Calipari loves — are prepared for games.” and De’Aaron Fox embrace He’s got a mental toughness and will need with the ex- Question: Are you an and cry at the same time and about him,” Gran said. pected backcourt departures emotional player? certainly showed just how More on Epps of Dominique Hawkins, Diallo: “I always have much these players do care Mychal Mulder, De’Aaron been. I just want to go out about winning and UK. Makayla Epps might Fox, Malik Monk and Isa- there and leave it all on the “The fans followed us be the most popular UK iah Briscoe. floor. That’s how I see it.” everywhere we went. Some women’s basketball player Diallo recently shared a Question: Do you con- away games felt like home ever. She just had a connec- variety of insights on what sider yourself an unselfish games,” Fox said after the tion with UK fans that loved the past few months have player who likes to pass? game. “Today was like that. her. been like for him since he Diallo: “That has always They had our back all year. She finished her career arrived in Lexington. been me. I have never really I love this program.” fifth on UK’s scoring list Question: What has the been selfish. I feel like if the Same for Adebayo. and eighth in total assists. learning experience here team is winning, then I am “I love this team to death. Kentucky coach Mat- been like for you so far? winning. That’s how I see They are all family to me. thew Mitchell said there Diallo: “I mean, it has it.” We fought together. We was no one thing that made been great. Ever since I Question: How are you just came up short,” Ade- the former Marion County have been here I have been and Calipari bonding? bayo said. “I saw him (Luke standout so popular. picking up on better habits. Diallo: “Just great on and Maye) shoot that last shot “One is the person she is, So it has been great.” off the court. He is trying to and I was praying he missed and she just connects so well Question: Has it been teach me things to do and it. It was like all our life got with people. She has a beau- harder than you expected? getting me out of my high sucked out of us when that tiful spirit about her. She has Diallo: “No, it has been school habits. It has been shot went in.” a great heart for people,” just about what I expected. I great the whole time here.” Fox wants the team to Mitchell said. “She, I think, have got a lot of work and I Question: Do you still be remembered for the way takes that extra few seconds am not scared to work. Just talk to signee Quade Green, it fought. He knows some maybe to connect with a fan continuous work and busi- a point guard from Philadel- questioned the team’s at- that might be the only inter- ness.” phia, a lot? titude when it lost three of action they ever have but Hamidou Diallo knows being at UK this year will give him an advantage next season. (Vicky Graff Question: Does it help Diallo: “Yes. We talk a lot four games in January. she takes the time to con- Photo) that you already knew sev- on a daily basis. He is ready “Some people said we nect with people because eral of your teammates? to be here. He wants to get didn’t care. Look around this she cares and she has a car- she weren’t the person that especially when I first got Diallo: “I would say def- here and start working. He locker room. We care,” Fox ing heart. I think that’s a big she is and have the heart that here. He waited his turn. initely knowing these guys is like my brother. I can’t said. “Everybody is heart- part of it. she has for people. I think He put the work in. He’s did not make it as difficult. wait for him to get here.” broken. After Cal talked to “I think her lineage is that’s the most important probably quiet to you all, They just took me in and Question: Are you two us, we broke it down one important. I think her dad part of why people connect but when he’s around us, showed me the ropes. Ever still trying to get Mohamed last time and talked about it. (Anthony Epps) having with her.” he’s laughing, joking, and since I have been here, they Bamba to sign with Ken- I just wish I could have done success here on a really im- Quotes of the Week it’s just funny because he’s treated me like family.” tucky? more for these seniors.” portant team (1996 national so quiet,” Isaiah Briscoe on Question: Does being Diallo: “Yes. Hopefully Fox said Calipari didn’t championship team) in our Quote of the Week: “I UK teammate Dominique here now give you a huge we do get him. I say there is say much after the game. men’s basketball history think he’ll do a great job Hawkins. advantage over incoming a strong chance.” “It was sinking in with and people are very excited there. I mean, it’s not an Quote of the Week 3: “We freshmen next season? Question: What is the him (that UK’s season was about our men’s team. His easy job. None of these know how good Isaac is. In Diallo: “Definitely. I best part of Green’s game? over), too. There was not success, and then you have jobs are easy, but that’s not practice he shoots the lights have been here, so those Diallo: “Just how unself- much said in here because a daughter that comes along an easy job, either, and you out. We have a drill where guys coming in it will ba- ish he is. Great point guard there was not much to say,” and signs with Kentucky and have to walk in there want- we shoot for five minutes sically be my job to show and he can do it all.