Keion Brooks (Photo by Vicky Graff)
Last season Keion Brooks started 33 games, scored in double figures in 17 of them and had career highs in points, field goal percentage, steals, blocks, assists, 3-pointers and rebounds.
Yet it never seemed to some that Brooks did enough and now he’s reportedly put his name into the transfer portal like teammates Dontaie Allen and Bryce Hopkins did earlier and it is no big surprise that he did.
Apparently UK coach John Calipari has figured it was coming for a few weeks. Brooks puts his name into the NBA Draft to see what feedback he would get — he’s not projected to be selected in any NBA mock drafts.
However, Calipari did not mention Brooks when he was on ESPN radio with former UK All-Americans Mike Pratt and Dan Issel. Here’s what he said about next year’s team:
“People have forgotten about CJ (Fredrick). But with Sahvir (Wheeler) and CJ and Cason (Wallace) and Chris (Livingston) and Jacob (Toppin) and Daimion (Collins), Lance (Ware) and Oscar (Tshiebwe), wow,” Calipari said.
“We bring in somebody (via the transfer portal), he’s gotta be that guy. He’s gotta be one of us. We have great teammates. I loved coaching that team last year. Loved it. It makes it all worth it for the players, too.”
Toppin has also asked for NBA feedback and is not expected to be a draft choice but he has not put his name into the transfer portal and Calipari obviously expects him back. But there was no mention of Brooks.
Brooks played in 80 games and made 42 starts in his career. His best game came against eventual national champion Kansas last season when he had a career-high 27 points and eight rebounds in the 80-62 road win. He had 15 straight points in one stretch.
“His thoughtfulness and maturity not only as a player, but as a man, will allow him to go through this process and make the best decision for his future,” Calipari said when Brooks announced he was putting his name into the draft. “He and his family know they have my full support with whatever they decide.”
And now it looks like Brooks has decided to play his fourth year of college basketball somewhere else.
16 Responses
I really liked Keion and wished he was staying. A class act.
Watching games and listening to comments, it seemed like Cal and Brooks were often at odds. Either doing too much or not enough. I hope it was a mutual divorce and that Keion can grow and succeed at his next destination.
When a would be senior who started 33 games leaves your program by choice, it has to make you wonder what is going on with this team. Combine that with losing Allen and Hopkins along with an assistant coach. The most apparent answer would be if you aren’t one of Calipari’s pets, you better move on. Keion never was the focal point of the offense, but neither is Oscar. Calipari’s love affair with guards and wings shows in his recruiting, coaching, and ultimately in his lack of championship wins. I will be watching more Louisville and Western games. I’ve had it with Coach Calipari.
The sky isn’t fallen as you think it is sir.
Yeah Cal doesn’t like big men. That’s why he recruited Davis, Towns, Cousins, Collins, etc. It’s obvious your only goal in life is to run down Cal and the Cats. You are definitely not a Ky. fan and know nothing about the program. You sound like a Louisville lover to me. You were on here bashing Brooks as Cal’s pet saying he should play Toppin more. Snake in the grass. Your mom is surely proud.
Jim, I got a feeling it’s the same guy that was bashing not only the cats he also had harsh words about Larry Vaught also 2 or 3 years ago that was using. different name and Larry blocked him out from using the site.
I like Brooks, but he has a tendency to disappear too often. When he is locked in, he is a true asset. He isn’t locked in all the time, or even enough of the time. I’d prefer he stayed with UK and polished his game and decided to out-compete everyone else at his position. But, he hasn’t shown that type of desire consistently. Cal has given him every chance! If you are convinced we are all doom and gloom and it’s all Cal’s fault, then you’ll miss the trees for the forest. I wish Brooks well wherever he lands. I like the kid and hope he explodes and gets drafted high the next draft. I also hope Toppin takes after his brother and explodes on our scene!
He did disappear at times. Sometimes I wonder about Cals quick hook if you screw up.
The National player of the year wasn’t a focal point of the offense? You do realize if that were in any way true he wouldn’t be the National player of the year. Brooks is leaving because kentucky has 3 guys that will play at his position and his playing time would decrease drastically. Smart move on his part.
You simpletons do know that this game is played with a round ball and not an oblong one, don’t you? All of you Calipari lovers will be the reason that this charlatan will do to Kentucky basketball what Bobby Knight did to Indiana basketball. Indiana has been nonrelevant for years and Kentucky is heading down that same road. You losers be sure to tell your grandkids that you were complicit (that means took part in for all of you people who quit school after the 5th grade) in the downfall of what USED to be the gold standard for college basketball. Oh, Summer is fast approaching so don’t forget to stock up on sunscreen…your necks are already red enough.
Bobby Knight didn’t bring down Indiana. He’s the best coach Indiana has ever had. The fact they haven’t been able to hire good coach since him is the problem. Cal did pull the Cats out of the Billy G. fiasco. The lack of education seems to be your problem. Basketball and otherwise.
Brooks had his place in the college game, but it was not one that Cal finds important. He was a perfect zone buster, but since Cal does not recognize a zone defense, nor understand how to beat one when his team encounters one, he did not understand why Brooks would sneak into the empty spot around the key or on the short wing and sink beautiful jump shots from there. 2 points did not count enough for him unless it came via a dunk or an acrobatic drive to the hoop for 2.
Best of luck to you Keion. I will be searching for your new team’s games hoping to see you play when it does not conflict with UK games.
Well said Dan
Whether a player decides to leave UK for greener pastures after 1 year, 2 years, or 3 years is less the issue for me than the fact that Calipari has lost numerous decent players over his time here that went elsewhere (Michigan, Gonzaga, etc.) and enjoyed more success than the UK teams they left behind. Yet, Calipari could never seem to find a proper role for them while they rode his pine and the distant end of the bench.
Be careful Professor, the Calipari lovers here will call you everything but a white man if you dare speak the truth about Kentucky basketball and John "Peacock" Calipari, LOL!
Everybody has got there own opinion whodat!!!