Aaron Bradshaw plans to be a “new-time big” playing mainly on the perimeter

Aaron Bradshaw, center, with future UK teammates Justin Edwards, left, and DJ Wagner. (UK Athletics Photo)

Watching Oscar Tshiebwe play and the way he rebounded at Kentucky gave incoming freshman Aaron Bradshaw some new insights on how to play near the basket.

The 7-1 Bradshaw was in Houston for the McDonald’s All-American Game along with future UK teammates Justin Edwards, Reed Sheppard and Milt Wagner, his New Jersey high school teammate.

“It was great. That is a strong man, a really strong man,” said Bradshaw at the McDonald’s Media Day on Monday. “I learned from him. I go back and watch certain things to see how he blocked out. He just sticks to rebounding and what he does best.”

Bradshaw will not be the same type of brute who relies on his physicalness to overpower opponents. Instead, his intention is to stretch the floor with his outside shooting apparently with the blessing/encouragement already from coach John Calipari.

“(Calipari) told me I got to stretch the floor. I’m not an old-time big, I’m a new-time big,” Bradshaw, who hit five straight 3-pointers in one practice session, said. “I like to stretch the floor, shoot, dribble. He just told me to stay consistent and be who you are.”

He wants to extend his presence on the defensive end as well where he could be matched up against guards at times.

“(Calipari) said I’m gonna have to guard guards because I’m gonna be a guard, I’m gonna be the 3, 4,” Bradshaw said. “I’m gonna have to guard fast people, strong people. I have to be ready for that, so I might as well start now.”

That could explain why Calipari said on his final weekly radio show that he was already tinkering with the idea of playing two 7-footers together. That would be Bradshaw and freshman center Ugonna Onyenso, who is now rumored to be contemplating putting his name in the transfer portal.

For Calipari to play the two 7-footers, one would have to play a lot on the floor obviously. However, it’s hard to remember many 7-foot Wildcats who have been perimeter defenders.

Former national defensive player of the year Willie Cauley-Stein could do it at times. Maybe Anthony Davis, the national player of the year, did it occasionally. But not many 7-foot players can do that and whether Bradshaw could do it remains to be seen.

Bradshaw said he’s always learning and did during his McDonalds’ All-American Game experience.

“I have to stay hungry and keep on working. There is a kid right now working out to go at me,” Bradshaw said.