I think just about everyone knew this would be the year for Derek. Its time for him to step up to the plate and work for something.
We have a 5* in Willis
- Thread starter sosoblue
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Nothing wrong with wanting a white kid (or black kid) play and do well at UK! I have pride in this state and its people, you never know what people might do if given the opportunity! THE UNFORGETABLES comes to mind! Lets hear it for in state players!!!!!! GO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think it's up to Willis. He needs to make the Harrelson commitment or he's basically a cigar man at this point.
Man do we had some race haters on here, bringing up because hes white??? Really?? You can take that race baiting garbage off this board.
To those doubting his ability fail to even know the he was ranked a 5 star when he got on him. He used to be committed to Purdue and decommitted and IU and UL was all over him and then UK stepped in. From what I remember Derek had an injury in the summer before his senior year and he dropped in the rankings to a 4 star and then down to a high 3 star.
https://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/barrier_noentry.asp?sid=880&script=%2Fcontent%2Easp&cid=1273679
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After his first unofficial visit to Indiana, Derek Willis said the Hoosiers have gone up in his eyes. The Rivals.com No. 23 prospect said he has a top three, and he talked about what parts of IU tradition stuck out to him.
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To those doubting his ability fail to even know the he was ranked a 5 star when he got on him. He used to be committed to Purdue and decommitted and IU and UL was all over him and then UK stepped in. From what I remember Derek had an injury in the summer before his senior year and he dropped in the rankings to a 4 star and then down to a high 3 star.
https://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/barrier_noentry.asp?sid=880&script=%2Fcontent%2Easp&cid=1273679
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After his first unofficial visit to Indiana, Derek Willis said the Hoosiers have gone up in his eyes. The Rivals.com No. 23 prospect said he has a top three, and he talked about what parts of IU tradition stuck out to him.
...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now!"
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This is a crazy take. You're basically saying next year is going to be a down year so might as well play the Ky guys. You're rooting for Cal to fail at recruiting. Give me superstars. It's the reason UK has been to the Final Four 4 out of the last 5 years. You want teamwork and hometown kids, I'm sure Bellarmine is looking for fans
It could happen, or it easily could also not happen... But I would like to see Willis break out this season, as well as Hawkins. I'm rooting for them, but I don't want to put too many expectations on them just yet.
I guess this thread got closed down when I posted up a link on when he was ranked 23 in the country?? Figured the naysayers on his ability would be quick to respond that it must be made up.
Dude (Willis) has the intangibles to be a good ball player period. It's up to him to sharpen up his skill set and coach needs to give him some motivation like he did Harrellson when he found out that Kanter is not playing.
Those dogging him because he is around a 30% 3 point shooter were prob the same ones proclaiming how good the twins 3 point percentage was as well. :-/ I want to remind people that the twins out of HS were around 30% and Lamb was a tad better but not by much out of HS and he was pretty outstanding to end his career here.
No way am I proclaiming Willis is a mid 40's 3 point shooter but what I'm saying is you don't know jack until he has had some time on the floor. Harrellson never saw the floor his junior year here and wouldn't of seen it either if Kanter was eligible. Only reason why he turned out so good was because he was forced to be played and Cal told him he needed to be ready and you get your ass in shape so be ready.
If Cal went to Willis and told him that he was starting next year and to get ready you bet he would be in the gym more than any other kid and hitting the weights. He is just in a rut and thinks that's where he will stay. He is not apparently a self motivator it needs external factors to motivate him to work.
If Cal had given him some spots here and their during the middle of the game to spell a player or two for even just 30 secs and them play him in garbage time for 4-5 min instead of just 30 sec of garbage time you would be seeing a kid thinking he needs to work harder to be getting more minutes than he has.
Dude (Willis) has the intangibles to be a good ball player period. It's up to him to sharpen up his skill set and coach needs to give him some motivation like he did Harrellson when he found out that Kanter is not playing.
Those dogging him because he is around a 30% 3 point shooter were prob the same ones proclaiming how good the twins 3 point percentage was as well. :-/ I want to remind people that the twins out of HS were around 30% and Lamb was a tad better but not by much out of HS and he was pretty outstanding to end his career here.
No way am I proclaiming Willis is a mid 40's 3 point shooter but what I'm saying is you don't know jack until he has had some time on the floor. Harrellson never saw the floor his junior year here and wouldn't of seen it either if Kanter was eligible. Only reason why he turned out so good was because he was forced to be played and Cal told him he needed to be ready and you get your ass in shape so be ready.
If Cal went to Willis and told him that he was starting next year and to get ready you bet he would be in the gym more than any other kid and hitting the weights. He is just in a rut and thinks that's where he will stay. He is not apparently a self motivator it needs external factors to motivate him to work.
If Cal had given him some spots here and their during the middle of the game to spell a player or two for even just 30 secs and them play him in garbage time for 4-5 min instead of just 30 sec of garbage time you would be seeing a kid thinking he needs to work harder to be getting more minutes than he has.
Willis and Hawkins are just the latest examples of why you would be foolish to come to UK unless you are considered an elite player. Calipari feels he must give the lions share of the playing time to the elite five star recruits to get them drafted into the NBA and this just leaves scraps for players like Willis and Hawkins. I also have never felt that Calipari is a great developer of talent. He is a great recruiter and motivator but I have yet him develop any player other than Harrellson and he did that because he hat to. IMO he just prefers to bring in extremely talented players an guide them along.
I'm really pulling for Willis to make a big move, but I also think it is unlikely.
People quoting his stats.... his stats are useless b/c he plays so little.
The biggest thing I think will keep him off the court is his strenght and weight. He is really thin. I don't think people understand until you see him in person at a game..... I know I didn't.
He's going to get pushed under the basket all the time and unable to be in good position to rebound. Makes it tough on D when the other guy is stronger than you.
He has potential to be a good offensive player, he is skilled. But his weakness is a lack of strength, and just a little slow footed.
I hope he can overcome this and be a great payer for us.
People quoting his stats.... his stats are useless b/c he plays so little.
The biggest thing I think will keep him off the court is his strenght and weight. He is really thin. I don't think people understand until you see him in person at a game..... I know I didn't.
He's going to get pushed under the basket all the time and unable to be in good position to rebound. Makes it tough on D when the other guy is stronger than you.
He has potential to be a good offensive player, he is skilled. But his weakness is a lack of strength, and just a little slow footed.
I hope he can overcome this and be a great payer for us.
if willis pulls his head out of his girlfriends butt and also does a 180 with his work ethic he may contribute, but not start
Why on earth are you being as azz to one of our players? A few things are clear from watching Willis play, he is a great passer, he has decent handles and he has a decent stroke. The kids limitations are in his head, not in his ability. No, he is not Hood. Willis can be very good, the issue is how much he wants it.
Yep. And this is something the people who try to compare him to players like Harrelson and Padgett seem to be missing. Harrelson and Padgett were built like men, strong enough to rebound and bang with anyone under the boards, and not easily moved from their position. Willis, on the other hand, is built more like a frail little boy.
