McDonald's All-American Cason Wallace likes the way players John Calipari puts into the NBA "stick" in the league for a long time. (McDonald's All-American Photo)
Kentucky signee Cason Wallace — like many John Calipari signees — is making no secret of his desire to be a one-and-done player for the Wildcats next season.
“I’ve seen the type of players they put into the league,” said Wallace during the McDonald’s All-American Game Media Day. “I see how the players they put into the league, stick in the league.
And that’s what I want to be. I want to stick in the league for many years.”
He’s also ready along with signee Chris Livingston, who is also playing in the McDonald’s Game, to bring a “dog mentality” to UK that the Cats seem to have been missing the last two years
“We’re both dogs on the court, so being able to play alongside (Livingston) will be a good experience,” Wallace said. “We both have common goals. We both want to go far into our college season and get out of there as soon as possible.”
Admire Wallace’s honesty. He’s not trying to hide his intentions to be a one-and-done player and if he’s good enough to do that, it could mean UK will go much deeper into the NCAA Tournament than it did this year.
However, I’m not sure UK fans are quite ready for that much honesty about his hopes to only be at UK for one year with the pain of the Saint Peter’s loss still so fresh, especially since he says Livingston feels the same way about wanting to be gone after one season with the Cats.
11 Responses
I just hope they actually play in games.
You never know they may just be on the practice squad.
Pretty sad times right now.
I think they will both be ready from day one next season
I guess they can be out there with Sharpe that we kept hearing was preparing to lead us next season.
Not the comments you’re hoping for if you are Mitch Barnhart trying to calm the masses
Well if they win title, then it is okay. If not, not the words UK fans need right now
If you watched the game last night, you know they are good players. Livingston has a motor comparable to Oscar and they are both gonna be elite defenders. I don’t understand everyone being upset Sharpe didn’t play. Calipari said from day one that he wasn’t going to play. When people knew from the start, being mad is just looking for something else to be mad about.
Well Calipari didn’t say for sure he would not play and hinted several times he might … and so did his players
I don’t mind the players being honest; as a matter of fact, that is what I want.
I also don’t mind players leaving after 1 year if they are ready. That’s what they went to college for and when the money is there, you take it.
Having said that, one and dones are not the way to build a team that will make serious runs in the tournament. Yes, sometimes it will work, most times it does not. Talent does not always beat experience.
The best teams seem to have some of both. Great young talent and experienced guys that know how to play the game as a team, and have learned how important defense and free throws are.
A core of good team players and then 1 or 2 really good freshmen makes the game easier for everyone on the team.
Shoot me if you want, but I think Pitino had the best plan when he was here.
Kentucky isn’t for everyone, Cal included.
Cal has a built in excuse for every instance. If he misses on recruits " uk is not for everyone " if he gets beat out by a team in the ncaa tournament by a team that has zero experience in the ncaa tournament historically he says his very own team " lacks tourney experience " ( that one by comparison to St Peter’s is really sad Cal threw out as an excuse), " we’re to young " what was I thinking scheduling " .. It just goes on and on. Cal doesn’t like excuses from his players and calls them out. BUT he offers excuse like cloxkwork. Time for a change.
his words can be perplexing