Here's what five-star UK commitment Wenyen Gabriel had to say after his team's win tonight in Lexington.
On how important it was for him to play well in Lexington:
It’s exciting to be here in Lexington. It’s where I’ll be next year. Having all the fans come and watch. But I was just anxious to win this game. I’m just happy we came through with that. Started off real slow, a lot of missed shots. I didn’t play that well. But we kept playing hard so I’m happy we came back.
On how physical the game was:
It’s part of the game. They try to beat me up every game. It’s only making me better.
On how his day was in Lexington:
I was just trying to stay focused on the game. The attention is nice and all. I like it here. Basketball is really big over here so it’s really nice.
On if today made him feel better about his decision to sign with UK:
I’ve always felt really great about my decision so I don’t know how much better I can feel about that.
On attending the UK game today:
It was great. I’ve never been at a game like that at Rupp. Just being in that atmosphere, I don’t know if there’s a place better. That’s why I’m really excited about my decision.
On how he sees himself fitting in at UK:
I don’t think I could fit better anywhere else in the country. I think this is a place where I can develop and get more development than I could get anywhere else. Playing against all these players everyday and all the competition, that’s where I really thrive.
On if there’s a guy who has played at UK that he’s comparable to:
I’m not really big on comparisons, I just try to play my own game. I haven’t really thought about that.
On seeing the 2016 class come together:
It’s been exciting. I already knew we had a lot of good players in our class. Just talking to these kids throughout the summer, I don’t know who wouldn’t want to come to Kentucky.
On the fan reaction he’s received since he’s been in Lexington:
It’s just been exciting. A lot of people want to take pictures, autographs and all that. It’s something different from where I’m from. It’s different but I like it.
On his versatility against Thon Maker:
Just showing that I can post up, that I can take him on the wing. It’s just being able to show different things. I don’t get to go on the perimeter all the time but being on this team I’m able to do different things. I can post a 7-footer. I can post a lot of people.
On what went through his mind before he scored 11 straight points in the 4th quarter:
I was just thinking fight. I was just trying to get back into it. I already knew I was having a bad game but it wasn’t about that. My team really was in it. We really wanted to win. I hate losing so I just like how we fought and came back. That was really good for us.
On if John Calipari gives him advice:
Yeah, he’ll give me advice about things I should’ve done better. He’ll compliment me on things I did well. He’s really a good teaching coach so you learn a lot from him. I don’t know if I can get that anywhere else. He’s really involved. I like it.
Already coaching you:
Yeah, coaching me. Even when he was recruiting me he was coaching me.
On how important it was for him to play well in Lexington:
It’s exciting to be here in Lexington. It’s where I’ll be next year. Having all the fans come and watch. But I was just anxious to win this game. I’m just happy we came through with that. Started off real slow, a lot of missed shots. I didn’t play that well. But we kept playing hard so I’m happy we came back.
On how physical the game was:
It’s part of the game. They try to beat me up every game. It’s only making me better.
On how his day was in Lexington:
I was just trying to stay focused on the game. The attention is nice and all. I like it here. Basketball is really big over here so it’s really nice.
On if today made him feel better about his decision to sign with UK:
I’ve always felt really great about my decision so I don’t know how much better I can feel about that.
On attending the UK game today:
It was great. I’ve never been at a game like that at Rupp. Just being in that atmosphere, I don’t know if there’s a place better. That’s why I’m really excited about my decision.
On how he sees himself fitting in at UK:
I don’t think I could fit better anywhere else in the country. I think this is a place where I can develop and get more development than I could get anywhere else. Playing against all these players everyday and all the competition, that’s where I really thrive.
On if there’s a guy who has played at UK that he’s comparable to:
I’m not really big on comparisons, I just try to play my own game. I haven’t really thought about that.
On seeing the 2016 class come together:
It’s been exciting. I already knew we had a lot of good players in our class. Just talking to these kids throughout the summer, I don’t know who wouldn’t want to come to Kentucky.
On the fan reaction he’s received since he’s been in Lexington:
It’s just been exciting. A lot of people want to take pictures, autographs and all that. It’s something different from where I’m from. It’s different but I like it.
On his versatility against Thon Maker:
Just showing that I can post up, that I can take him on the wing. It’s just being able to show different things. I don’t get to go on the perimeter all the time but being on this team I’m able to do different things. I can post a 7-footer. I can post a lot of people.
On what went through his mind before he scored 11 straight points in the 4th quarter:
I was just thinking fight. I was just trying to get back into it. I already knew I was having a bad game but it wasn’t about that. My team really was in it. We really wanted to win. I hate losing so I just like how we fought and came back. That was really good for us.
On if John Calipari gives him advice:
Yeah, he’ll give me advice about things I should’ve done better. He’ll compliment me on things I did well. He’s really a good teaching coach so you learn a lot from him. I don’t know if I can get that anywhere else. He’s really involved. I like it.
Already coaching you:
Yeah, coaching me. Even when he was recruiting me he was coaching me.
