‘Ups and downs’ haven’t defeated highly rated UK freshman. ‘I’m prepared for it.’
When Kahlil Whitney appeared for Tuesday’s interview sessions, he happened to cross paths with a member of Kentucky basketball’s support staff. The staffer stuck a good-natured needle into the freshman. Something about reporters not being likely to get much from that interview.
The tone was light-hearted jocularity, the kind reserved for those you like. A smile appeared on Whitney’s face, and returned there repeatedly when he fielded question after question about his ongoing struggle to evolve from heralded recruit to productive college player.
“All you guys probably think this is driving me crazy or really affecting me,” Whitney said at one point. “I’m staying in the gym and staying even-keeled.”
Helping that process, he said, was having a healthy perspective on basketball.
“If you focus too much on it, it’ll get to you,” Whitney said. “You can’t let this basketball stuff get to you like that. You’ve got to be even-keeled with everything. You know you’ve got to have a good social life. Keep a smile on your face.”
Basketball not all-consuming? Good social life? These seemed like alien concepts in a Big Blue Nation where it’s not unusual to see a I-Still-Hate-Laettner T-shirt.
“It’s not hard for me because of my family,” Whitney said. “I talk to my family every day. I’m a church-going guy. I’ve got a church-going family. So, it’s kind of easy for me. There’s going to be ups and downs. I’m prepared for it.”
Whitney, who was ranked the 11th best prospect in the class of 2019 by the Recruiting Services Consensus Index, has not made a shot since the Ohio State game on Dec. 21. He’s scored double-digit points once: against Eastern Kentucky on Nov. 8. He hasn’t grabbed more than one rebound since the Utah game on Dec. 18.
When asked to explain his good-natured smile, Whitney said, “I just know my journey. I put in a lot of work to get here. I mean, it’s a blessing to be here. So, I’m forever going to keep a smile on my face. Keep positive energy.”
‘These guys are going to be vital’
Of course, Whitney is not the first freshman in John Calipari’s one-and-done era as UK coach to need time to adjust and develop. He’s not even the only freshman on this season’s team to fit that description. Keion Brooks Jr. — 21 points and seven rebounds in the last six games — also has yet to blossom.
As recently as his radio show Monday night, Calipari has spoken of the long-term difference Whitney and Brooks can make this season.
After saying it was obvious Immanuel Quickley comes off the bench but has the impact of a starter, Calipari said of his decisions about the player rotation, “I also want to make sure we continue to bring along Keion and Kahlil. And by the time the season ends, I’m telling you, these guys are going to be vital in what this team is able to do.”
Associate coach Kenny Payne, who substituted for Calipari at Tuesday’s news conference, called Whitney a “high, high-character kid.”
Payne echoed Calipari’s oft-repeated advice for struggling players: concentrate on defense and rebounding. Do not put be-all, end-all importance on scoring.
“Whether it goes in or not, shooting the ball with confidence,” Payne said. “Because when you (think) ‘I’ve gotta make this shot, I’ve gotta have something good, I’ve gotta, I’ve gotta,’ it doesn’t happen.”
Whitney said defense, and not scoring, was “definitely my main concern.”
Player comparisons
On Calipari’s radio show Monday night, a caller asked him whether Whitney or Brooks most resembled Alex Poythress, who played four seasons for UK.
“I would say Kahlil is more of an Alex kind of player,” Calipari said. “Physically and all those things. Keion is unique: long, he’s a basketball player. He’s got a great feel for the game. But, physically, he’s trying to catch up. (Opponents think) just get into his body. Push him.”
When asked what the reference to Poythress meant to him, Whitney smiled and said, “I’m sorry to tell you, I have no clue who that is.”
Poythress’s final season for Kentucky was 2015-16.
Fellow freshman Tyrese Maxey spoke glowingly of Whitney. The two are roommates.
“I love the dude to death … ,” Maxey said. “Just because he’s a great dude. He’s my dog.”
Maxey said he’s known Whitney since the two were high school sophomores. They played on the same team in a camp.
Yes, Maxey said, this season has been challenging for Whitney. “It’s hard for all of us,” Maxey added.
Payne spoke optimistically about a happy ending for Whitney. “I feel confident that he’s going to fight through,” Payne said.
If anything, Whitney was even more upbeat.
“I’m just keeping God first,” he said.
Wednesday
No. 10 Kentucky at South Carolina
When: 6:30 p.m.
TV: SEC Network
Radio: WLAP-AM 630, WBUL-FM 98.1
Records: Kentucky 12-3 (3-0 SEC), South Carolina 8-7 (0-2)
Series: Kentucky leads 52-12
Last meeting: Kentucky won 76-48 on Feb. 5, 2019, in Rupp Arena.
