Davion Mintz (Vicky Graff Photo)
With sophomore forward Keion Brooks now out another two or three weeks with his calf injury, Kentucky needs an on-court leader. Say hello to point guard Davion Mintz, a fifth-year senior and transfer from Creighton where he had plenty of experience.
When Brooks was expected to miss only the first two or three games, Mintz said it was hard to say he could “replace” Brooks’ leadership. He said Brooks was a “guy who was significant to a really good team last year and a guy who has been very mature for us.”
That shows Mintz has taken time to understand roles on this team and to learn what Brooks means.
“Even though he hasn’t had his presence with us on the court, he has been doing a lot of things off the court as far as team meetings. I’m still learning the type of things from him, although he’s younger than me, but he’s just been here and has a sense of knowing,” Mintz said.
“It’s been fun and I also do have to step up in that nature and keep guys level-headed. I’ve got to carry that culture that he brings to the program even though he isn’t playing right now.”
Kentucky didn’t handle adversity well the second half of Sunday’s 12-point loss to Richmond. Mintz said the team has to have trust at crunch time.
“Our principles that Cal has been teaching us. Like one big thing that we have focused on and that he’s tried to help us with: Don’t worry about making or being the guy that has to be the playmaker. Rely on your teammates. Trust your teammates and realize that it is so much harder when you feel like you’re the guy who has to do everything. Realize that you’re out there with a bunch of talented guys. If you’re not on, maybe the next man is. Just figure out who has the hot hand, and in the moment, who is getting things done whether it’s anyone,” Mintz said.
“Hopefully, I don’t feel like everyone is going to be off, but just trying to be together and trust that someone can get it done and rely on the great coaching that we’ve had preparing us for these couple of months.”
