Scale of 1-10, your Derek Willis confidence level

[J.Jennings]

Liggins was one of the best on ball defenders in college basketball and he made a brief career in the NBA off of it. Harrellson would bully people around and do the little things. As said above, these kind of players under Cal have to have that niche to get them on the floor. Hawkins is D, Liggins was D, Polson was ball handling, Harrelson was bodying up and rebounding. What is one thing Willis does exceptionally well that warrants him getting in the game?

He knows how to put the ball in the basket and if that's what he's good at, let him do it.......

[J.Jennings]

I'd like to clarify that I like Willis, a lot actually. But, this is his chance, it's up to him to get going this offseason.

Also, there are VERY few examples of guys like him (3 star, ranked in the 100s) that make any kind of contribution to a top tier program their freshman or sophomore years. I went back and scanned people ranked around him and couldn't find any. It usually takes a few years of improvement in order for a guy like Willis to see significant action at a school like UK.

Well said and great post. Like you, this upcoming season is probably do or die for both Hawkins and Willis.

[J.Jennings]

Goodness, trash is a strong word. One you've used time and time again but not one I've seen anyone else use. I'm not sure what your fixation is on projecting the label of garbage on other poster's viewpoints.

I'm of the opinion that Derek and Dom both belong here. I believe they fit into their roles fine, and I'm perfectly okay with that, because I understand the need for those types of players.

I say trash because I get the sense the most prefer that either of these guys play this year or the next. Whatever happened to wishing these kids well and least giving them the benefit of the doubt??

[J.Jennings]

Can we start a poll regarding Willis and HGH? ha! Start juicing, man!

lol lol lol lol lol

How do you think coffee, mountain dew, and HGH would react with each other? lol lol lol lol

[J.Jennings]

I think we all like Willis. I think most of us are mature enough to separate ourselves a bit from the person and the player, and that's why I appreciate this discussion.

As I stated before, the transformation from high school to what we have seen now is kind of mind boggling to be honest. When I watched him his junior year, I thought to myself now way is this kid UK material. To be able to comfortably handle the ball at 6'8 and create his shot is pretty impressive if you ask me. Have to be honest, didn't know Willis could play a little bit above the rim as he has shown some flashes.

Honestly, just want to see him get some good quality minutes to see how he reacts. We know how Hawkins can defend and not sure if anyone else noticed, I saw improvement in offense from Hawkins freshman year to this year. Both players should be fine and I do expect them both to play this year.

[Lighthouse]

Height, size, body,, very fair comparison. Didn't say Willis was the next Prince, just comparing similarities minus the wingspan........

Derek Willis is 6'10" and right handed, Prince is 6'7" and left handed and he played defense. So much for any comparison.

[Wonderstruck]

I say trash because I get the sense the most prefer that either of these guys play this year or the next. Whatever happened to wishing these kids well and least giving them the benefit of the doubt??

We, or at least I, can be a fan of the player and certainly hope that he shines bright while also looking at what is literally in front of my eyes. Derek, I hope that he does what he needs to do to get in the game and contribute. I'm not a fan of him getting in out of pity. If he doesn't have Cal convinced, I don't need any other information.

Thanks to this thread, my confidence level of him has actually dropped from a 4 to a 2.

[J.Jennings]

Derek Willis is 6'10" and right handed, Prince is 6'7" and left handed and he played defense. So much for any comparison.

Tashaun Prince is 6'9. Plays Power Foward and Point (sf) foward in the NBA. Height, lack of food, and ball handling skills, very similar......

[J.Jennings]

Thanks to this thread, my confidence level of him has actually dropped from a 4 to a 2.

Which is why you shouldn't mind if he transfers to Louisville and plays. Louisville could really use some help..........

[Wonderstruck]

Which is why you shouldn't mind if he transfers to Louisville and plays. Louisville could really use some help..........

As I've said, I won't get into transfer talk. Not a card I play.

[J.Jennings]

We, or at least I, can be a fan of the player and certainly hope that he shines bright while also looking at what is literally in front of my eyes. Derek, I hope that he does what he needs to do to get in the game and contribute. I'm not a fan of him getting in out of pity. If he doesn't have Cal convinced, I don't need any other information.

Thanks to this thread, my confidence level of him has actually dropped from a 4 to a 2.

At this point, Cal won't have a choice but to play him and Hawkins.

[Lighthouse]

Tashaun Prince is 6'9. Plays Power Foward and Point (sf) foward in the NBA. Height, lack of food, and ball handling skills, very similar......

Then Prince has grown 2 inches since he left UK.

[J.Jennings]

Then Prince has grown 2 inches since he left UK.

Yep, he's listed at 6'9 but you know how that goes lol. I remember Samardo Samuels being listed as 6'8/6'9 in college but i read somewhere his NBA measurement was something like 6'6/6'7. In fact, i sat by a Toronto Raptors scout at the last UK/UL game in Freedom Hall and the scout was wondering what Patterson's true height really was. To make a long story short, kind of funny that Patterson ended up in Toronto with some stability after being traded by the Rockets and Kings.....

Anyways, Will says i am the worst comparer ever but i always look at size, build, and comporable abilities. Not to say that Willis will ever be a Prince but with his point guard skils and ability to handle the ball, maybe a Jalen Rose type of player???

For the record, not saying that Wilis will be another Rose or Prince and sure in the heck don't believe that Wiltjer will be the next Larry Bird

[DA#23]

JWORLD...how tall is MKG? I know, but do you?

The game is so much more than measurements.

[teamchemistry15]

Yep, he's listed at 6'9 but you know how that goes lol. I remember Samardo Samuels being listed as 6'8/6'9 in college but i read somewhere his NBA measurement was something like 6'6/6'7. In fact, i sat by a Toronto Raptors scout at the last UK/UL game in Freedom Hall and the scout was wondering what Patterson's true height really was. To make a long story short, kind of funny that Patterson ended up in Toronto with some stability after being traded by the Rockets and Kings.....

Anyways, Will says i am the worst comparer ever but i always look at size, build, and comporable abilities. Not to say that Willis will ever be a Prince but with his point guard skils and ability to handle the ball, maybe a Jalen Rose type of player???

For the record, not saying that Wilis will be another Rose or Prince and sure in the heck don't believe that Wiltjer will be the next Larry Bird

Willis has point guard abilities? You know more about him than I do. If you didn't say the same stuff about Hood I would think you and Willis were cousins.