Kentucky Players
#3, Tyrese Maxey, Fr., G
On going on the road to play South Carolina …
“It should be fun. It should be fun. The veterans said that it’s going to be a hard place to play. Said they’re going to be very competitive, very physical, and I just can’t wait for the moment.”
On UK’s three guards …
“Coach always says he has three playmakers on the court when we’re on the court. I feel like if we just keep feeding off of each other and reading off each other then we’ll be doing good, getting other guys shots and things like that.”
On Ashton Hagans getting nine rebounds last game …
“Ashton is a junkyard dog, man. He’ll do whatever Coach needs him to do. If it’s playing defense–like that game he needed to go get rebounds and that’s one thing that all of us guards and all of us on this whole team has to take on the identity of going to get rebounds because we have to go get them.”
On 3-point shots starting to fall …
“It’s easier now just knowing where we’re going to get those shots and just being more comfortable with your teammates. Coach Cal always says he plays for March. He doesn’t play for November and December. Even now, January. We’re just trying to keep building on this momentum.”
On keeping their composure at Georgia …
“I think it’s a testament to our coach. I heard that the team always takes on the identity of the coach. He was very calm, cool and collected when we walked into the locker room (at halftime). He just told us to go out there and compete. He didn’t feel like we were competing as hard as we could and we felt the same way. We just rallied as a team. Our vets stood up, talked, I talked a little bit – I’m not a vet, I’m a youngin’ – and then we just went out and executed.”
On why road games are difficult …
“It’s hard. You’re going into a gym that you’ve never played in unless you’re a veteran, but you only play in there once or twice. But it’s difficult. For the freshmen, it was our first true road game so it’s our first time being in the gym with all opposing fans. Even on neutral sites, most of the gym is filled with Big Blue Nation. We went over there and it’s all red, so it’s just difficult. It’s hard to hear your coach when he’s talking to you and you just have to go out there and fight and be as one unit.”
On Coach Cal getting ejected at South Carolina and the environment …
“He talked about it yesterday. He talked about it yesterday, how he got tossed there. The vets say it’s going to be hard, but every road game is hard. You gotta go out there and fight as one unit and be together.”
On his mindset through struggles and now playing better …
“I did struggle for a little bit, but I never wavered from the work. I always put in the work – got up early in the morning, stayed in late – and knew that it would come back to me. I’m just glad my teammates stuck with me.”
#2, Kahlil Whitney, Fr., F
On staying positive during his current slump …
“I just know my journey. I’ve put a lot of work in the gym here and it’s a blessing to be here so I’m forever going to keep a smile on my face and keep positive energy.”
On how he expected the season to go when he first came to Kentucky …
“There were definitely going to be some ups and downs no matter what situations you’re in. I definitely felt like I put in enough work and now I’m just waiting for everything to click.”
On how much he is able to strip all distractions away and focus on one thing at a time in order to be a great defender …
“That’s definitely my main concern. Just focusing more on defensive rebounding and just being that player that my team needs me to be.”
On his high school coach talking about his defense and his style of defensive play …
“I take pride in defense, so I want to be that guy that guards the opposing team’s best player and slow him down and just get him going.”
On how he avoids putting so much pressure on himself …
“Just knowing that I have worked all my life for this. I’ve been working since I was 7 years old. When you know you’ve put in enough work to be in the situation you’re in, there really isn’t much pressure.”
On which teammates have helped him with his development …
“We’re a pretty close group. Tyrese (Maxey) is like my best friend. Keion Brooks, you know we talk all the time and crack jokes. If you focus too much on it, it will get to you. You can’t let this basketball stuff get to you like that. You have to be even keeled with everything. You know, you have to have a good social life and keep a smile on your face.”
On how easy it is to maintain a social life and basketball balance …
“It’s not hard for me because I talk to my family every day. I’m a church-going guy, come from a church-going family so it’s kind of easy for me just keeping God first.”
On what Nick (Richards) and EJ (Montgomery) have told him …
“Nick has been here for three years and EJ has been here for two. They’ve just said that there are going to be ups and downs. They know more than anybody and I’ve already made it through the toughest situations in my life and I know a lot of you guys probably think this is driving me crazy and really affecting me, but it’s really not. I’m staying in the gym and trying to make myself better.”