Demarcus Cousins goes one on one with Lil' Chuck Hayes

After a Sacramento Kings practice, Demarcus Cousins helped former Wildcat Chuck Hayes' son work on his game. If you're a Kentucky fan you know how good Demarcus was with kids while in Lexington and it looks like that hasn't changed since his departure.

It's always nice to see this side of Cousins since all the media ever reports is the negative.

Stein and Wiltjer to return, Goodwin to enter draft

Cauley-Stein and Wiltjer to Return; Goodwin to Enter NBA Draft
Goodwin has not signed with an agent

http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/040113aaa.html

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Willie Cauley-Stein and Kyle Wiltjer will return to the Kentucky men’s basketball program for the 2013-14 season, while Archie Goodwin will forego his sophomore season and enter his name in the 2013 NBA Draft, head coach John Calipari announced Monday.
“I’m excited that Willie and Kyle have decided to return for next season,” Calipari said. “When we talk about a players-first program, our goal is for each player to reach his dreams. Willie and Kyle believe it is in their best interest to return to Kentucky next season to achieve those dreams, and I fully support their decisions.
“Although I really wanted Archie to return for his sophomore season, I fully support him choosing to pursue his dreams. He has the drive and desire to be great and I will continue to do everything I can to make sure he succeeds in life both on and off the court.
“I believe, with another year of hard work and competition, they all can take their games to the next level. I look forward to seeing them all grow into young men.”
Cauley-Stein earned All-Southeastern Conference Freshman team accolades following his first season in the Blue and White. As a freshman, Cauley-Stein notched 8.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per outing in 2012-13. He totaled 59 blocks on the year, which ranks as the seventh most by a first-year player in program history. He secured four double-double efforts on the year and totaled a career-high 20-point effort in a win over Vanderbilt.
“I’m looking forward to continuing to develop as an all-around player," Cauley-Stein said. "I’m also excited for the opportunity to try and win a national championship.”
Wiltjer will enter his junior season after earning SEC Sixth Man of the Year accolades during the 2012-13 year. In his sophomore campaign, the 6-foot-10 forward averaged 10.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. He has sunk 90 3-pointers in his career, which ranks No. 26 on UK’s all-time career 3-point made list.
“I’m so excited about the possibilities of next season,” Wiltjer said. “I love Coach Cal and the staff, the University of Kentucky and the Big Blue Nation. After talking with Coach and the staff, I understand what I need to do. I want to be a part of another championship. This summer I’m going to work the hardest I’ve ever worked to come back next season better and stronger to help my team fight for number nine.”

Goodwin was the team’s leading scorer with a 14.0 scoring average en route to Freshman All-SEC honors. The Little Rock, Ark., native posted 25 double-figure scoring games and had five outings with 20 or more points. He ranked second on the team in assists (87) and steals (35). His 448 points scored in his first season ranks as the 10th best mark for a freshman in UK history.
"This is something I've dreamed about my entire life and I feel like the opportunity is there for me to play at the next level," Goodwin said. "I will stay in Lexington to finish my schoolwork this semester before continuing to pursue my dream. I've loved my time at UK and want to thank Coach Cal, the staff and my teammates for helping me get where I am. I especially want to thank the Big Blue Nation for all their support."
Goodwin has not signed with an agent. The NBA Draft is June 27.

Additional announcements regarding remaining players will be announced at a later date.

Coach Calipari comments on Ryan Harrow

Kentucky Head Coach John Calipari on sophomore guard Ryan Harrow transferring to Georgia State…

“Given the health of his dad, we fully support Ryan’s decision to transfer to Georgia State to be closer to his family in Atlanta. Ryan was a vital part of this year’s team and an important player in practice during our 2011-12 national championship run. I want to thank Ryan for his efforts and hard work and wish him the best of luck at Georgia State. I know the Big Blue Nation will keep a close eye on him and wish him well as he continues his basketball career and his pursuit of a college degree.”

McDonald's All-American Game "Big Blue Madness; The Preview"

(James Young and Dakari Johnson entering the Ronald McDonald House)

The McDonald's All-America Game is on Wednesday April 3rd and Kentucky fans will want to tune in to get a glimpse of what will be hitting Lexington this fall.

Because Kentucky has so many participants this year, I have taken the liberty to call this edition of the McDonald's All-American Game, "Big Blue Madness; The Preview"

There will be some things to look for during this years game. One, how dominate our team will be next season and two, will we hear an Andrew Wiggins decision at some point during the game? The latter is highly unlikely, but one can hope.

Ryan Harrow to transfer to Georgia State

It is being reported (not by the University of Kentucky; yet) that Kentucky starting point guard Ryan Harrow will transfer to Georgia State. Ryan's time in Lexington was spent sitting out his first year because of a transfer and starting this season as the point guard for John Calipari.

Ryan missed two weeks this season to return home to deal with a "family matter" and after fans speculated that he wasn't sure about his role on the team was the reason for his absence, it turns out it was to deal with an illness his father had suffered.

Ryan struggled for much of the season to become the player John Calipari expected him to be. Despite flashes of him becoming that player, Ryan never really fit into the system that Calipari runs. Ryan has talent, I just think he was overwhelmed with all the pressure and attention that comes with playing at the University of Kentucky.

We here at Big Blue Corner wish Ryan well with his pursuit of playing college basketball and we also wish Ryan's father a speedy recovery.

I'll pass along the media release as soon as the media department at Kentucky sends it out.

John Calipari Satellite Camp Tour Dates

Men’s Basketball Announces 2013 Satellite Camp Tour
Camps to take place in June

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky men's basketball program is pleased to announce the dates and information for the 2013 John Calipari Satellite Camp Tour.

Due to gym capacities there will be a limited number of spots available for all camps. Online registration (also available via www.ukathletics.com/camps) is recommended as the fastest and most efficient form of registering campers. All 2011 and 2012 Satellite Camps were sold out. Early online registration is encouraged to ensure camper participation.

The 2013 summer tour includes nine stops throughout the Bluegrass State in five days during the month of June. These camps offer the unique opportunity for Kentucky basketball fans to learn from and interact with Coach Calipari, the UK coaching staff and available Wildcat players.

It is the goal of the men's basketball program to bring the Commonwealth's team to different stops every summer and allow campers to participate in drills and competitions within their own communities.

The cost for each camp is $80 per camper and includes Camp T-shirt, three hours of instruction with Coach Calipari and the Kentucky basketball staff, competitions, autograph sessions, along with question and answer sessions with Coach Calipari.

The 2013 Satellite Camp Tour dates and locations are:

Monday – June 10

· Morning session (9 a.m.-noon EST) at North Laurel High School – Open to grades K-12
· Afternoon session (1:30-4:30 p.m. EST) at Boyle County High School – Open to grades K-12

Tuesday – June 11

· Morning session (9 a.m.-noon EST) at Ryle High School – Open to grades K-12
· Afternoon session (1:30-4:30 p.m. EST) at TBA-Open to grades K-12

Wednesday – June 12

· Morning session (9 a.m.-noon EST) at Boyd County Middle School – Open to grades K-6
· Afternoon session (2-5:00 p.m. EST) at Montgomery County High School – Open to grades K-12

Thursday – June 20

· Morning session (9 a.m.-noon EST)
· Afternoon session (1:30-4:30 p.m.) both at Christian Academy of Louisville – Both camps open to grades K-12

Friday – June 21

· Morning session (9 a.m.-noon CST) at Bowling Green High School – Open to grades K-6
· Afternoon session (3-6:00 p.m. EST) at Elizabethtown High School – Open to grades K-12

All Satellite Camps are open to both boys and girls of the appropriate age/grade level, which may vary between locations. Camper's grade level is based on the grade in which the camper will be enrolled during the fall of the 2013 school year.

On-site camp registration will begin one hour prior to the designated start time. All pre-registered campers will receive a confirmation email for their specific camp that includes details of necessary paperwork needed (physical, insurance and consent). To ensure the safety and participation of all campers, it is important that the basketball office receives all necessary paperwork two weeks prior to the start of your specific camp date.

Walk-up registration will be available at all camps unless noted on the UK Athletics website as closed. Once each individual camp has reached its maximum capacity, that particular camp will be closed to all forms of registration (online and walk-ups). Any camp related questions can be called into the men's basketball camp line at 859-257-9457.

Alonzo Mourning visits Andrew Wiggins

Alonzo Mourning made a surprise visit to Huntington,WV to present Andrew Wiggins with the National Gatorade Player of The Year Award. That's gotta be the coolest way to have history class interrupted.

Congratulations Andrew, I'm sure you've got more awards coming your way in the future.