Kellan Grady is not fouling or rebounding but coach John Calipari still has reasons to like his play. (Jeff Houchin/Nolan Media)
Ask John Calipari about Kellan Grady’s defense and committed fouls and guess what? You get an answer about rebounding. Grady had played 215 minutes in eight games going into today’s game at Notre Dame but has committed only TWO fouls. That’s a foul every 108 minutes— or roughly one every three games. No scholarship player has committed fewer fouls.
So how did Calipari respond to Grady’s low foul numbers?
“He’s doing OK, but he’s also, his last few games averaged zero rebounds,” Calipari said. “That’s hard, because one is going to bounce to you, especially if you’re playing 28 minutes a game. It’s hard to get zero.”
Yes it is but Grady has NINE rebounds. That’s one about every 24 minutes. TyTy Washington, another guard, has 39 in 253 minutes. Davion Mintz has 20 in 101 minutes. Dontaie Allen has 17 in 79 minutes.
However, Caliipari did find one bright spot in Grady’s board work.
‘Now, one thing he does, he blocks out. So, maybe I should say, ‘Just keep blocking out. We’re doing fine rebounding.’ Sometimes you’ve got to accept what guys are,” the Kentucky coach said.
“But I love coaching him. I’m just telling you, he’s having a ball. This is hard. I hold guys accountable. Whether we’re in practice, I’m not taking less than their best. The season starts to drag, it makes it even harder. You’ve got to figure out stuff. But he’s doing great.”
Grady is averaging 9.3 points per game and shooting 42 percent from 3-point range.
Calipari is just thankful he’s close to having a full, healthy roster back for today’s game.
“Davion (Mintz), having him back is great. Sahvir (Wheeler) stepped back last game. Having Keion (Brooks Jr.), Jacob (Toppin), Daimion (Collins). Oscar (Tshiebwe), still having Lance (Ware) ready to go, Bryce (Hopkins) ready to go,’ Calipari said Friday.
“Yesterday we had a little bit more of a competitive practice. That’s an advantage for us. But we were sick the week between us and Southern. I thought we did good conditioning, but the reality of it is we lost our competitive edge. We did.”
