Parker Jones (25) had never been in a press conference until Wednesday night after scoring 17 points against UK. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Parker Jones probably never expected to have the kind of game he did in Rupp Arena Wednesday night.
The 6-6 Colgate sophomore forward was averaging 10.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game coming into the game against No. 5 Kentucky. He certainly probably could not have predicted the game he would have when UK jumped in front 17-0.
However, Colgate fought back to actually take the lead in the second half before losing 78-67 and Jones finished with a game-high 17 points on 6-for-9 shooting, including 4-for-7 from 3, along with six rebounds and two assists in 28 minutes.
The whole experience was a bit overwhelming, including facing a large media contingent in the postgame press conference.
“First of all, this is pretty sick. I’ve never been in a press conference, so this is kinda high-level for me. So, sorry if my answers aren’t top-level,” said Jones.
Imagine a Kentucky basketball player one month into his sophomore season saying he had never been in a press conference? It would never happen. Colgate, though, is not Kentucky and that type of exposure is a big reason Colgate wanted to play Kentucky.
“Coming back in from halftime (only down 38-36) we were all super ecstatic. I mean we play a team like Kentucky, at least personally, I dream about it,” Jones said. “Like in my backyard thinking about, ‘Parker Jones subs in, he hits a 3.’ Like all this stuff that I think about in my head.
“I don’t know, just being in this environment was really cool and kind of surreal. We got back to the locker room, emotions were really high, and we were all just kinda saying to ourselves, because I remember last year we played Arizona, and we were down three going into the half then they came out and just blitzed us.
“So just trying to stay more composed and collected cause we kind of tend to not get off to the best of starts so, you’re trying to calm it down even though there was a lot of really high emotion at the time.”
So in my opinion, Jones did not need to apologize for his answers because they were honest, refreshing and definitely high level.
4 Responses
It’s very refreshing to hear this! Often times I think some guys are spoiled by the whole Kentucky scene! Maybe not spoiled maybe babied.
I think you are right. It takes time for players (at any age) to mature with regards to appreciating the entire UK experience and not just thinking about themselves and how much attention & coddling they can get.
If he ever transfers, I want him wearing a UK jersey!
Players who have such high regard for UK, for Rupp Arena, for the BBN, and have the ability to perform under pressure are prime material for UK BB.
Pope labored fast & hard to select the best possible players from a very limited pool of players. His exceptional brain power and savvy in general are a marvelous combination for UK to have as our HC!
Some players may not really realize how incredible it is to be playing for Coach Pope at the legendary UK in legendary Rupp Arena, but they learn more every game and listening to an opponent talk this way is educational for players who have only been in KY for a number of months.
Yeah, we didn’t do much to scare him on the floor. Maybe this was our wake-up call to be up for Lousyville and Ohio State.