[BlackcatAlum]

Comments from the current players on Gillispie.

#3 Ramel Bradley, Jr.

On Coach Gillispie’s style of play…
“It sounds good. I’m looking forward to his style, to stay aggressive, and put up some shots. Sounds like we’ll run a little more and you know I like that.”

On the last two weeks…
“It’s been crazy, a weird feeling. To lose a coach, and then get one so soon, it’s all just shocking, just need to regroup a little. We all tried to handle the situation together, and the best we could. Things happened quickly, but that’s life, and you just need to deal with change sometimes.”

On meeting Coach Gillispie for the first time and possibility of him leaving…
“He just gave me a smile, and all I can do is welcome him with an open mind, and smile back. I never thought about leaving, so it’s pretty easy to welcome a new coach. I just need to regroup, let it all soak in, and move forward the best I can.”


#43 Jared Carter, So.

On the progress of his shoulder…
“Right now I am about 95% healed, and I should be able to start practicing in about a month. I’m already in the weight room, and it really feels like nothing has happened to it.”

On his first impression of Coach Gillispie…
“We had a meeting earlier this morning, and he told us he was ready to get to work and prepare for next season. He doesn’t want to wait and feel things out. He wants to get started right away.”


#32 Joe Crawford, Jr.

On the change to a new coach…
“Change can be good. Everyone’s positive, and we’ll move forward as a team and do what we need to do.”

On the rumors of different coaches the past couple of weeks…
“It was pretty tough to hear some of the rumors. We all tried not to think about it, but it was obviously there. We have a coach to lead us now, and some directions, so I think we’re all ready to move forward.”

On Coach Gillispie’s style of play…
“I like that he talked about aggressiveness on both offense and defense. His style should work here with the guys we already have here. It will be more exciting, and I’m excited for the new start.”


#22 Ramon Harris, Fr.

On meeting Coach Gillispie the first time…
“It was good. He came in and I could tell he was very excited to be here and that is one of the things that we like to see as players. We want to see someone who wants to be here and he definitely showed us that. He showed us that he is the type of coach that is open and he is the type of coach that you can rely on.”

On coming in midseason then getting a new coach…
“To be honest I felt settled here about midway through the season. I knew that there was going to be a point of time that my name was going too be called and I wanted to be ready for that point of time. Now Coach Gillispie is here I am excited about getting the chance to work hard for him.”


#5 Derrick Jasper, Fr.

On meeting Coach Gillispie for the first time…
"I think he’s a great guy and a great coach. It was a little awkward at first, because we didn’t know what to expect. As soon as we heard him give us a speech we knew he was the right man for the job. He told us he wants to cut down some nets, and he gave us confidence.”

On Coach Gillispie’s style of play…
“I like what he said about letting his players initiate the style. I think he will play to the talent of the players.”


#21 Perry Stevenson, Fr.

On his reaction upon hearing who the coach would be…
“I didn’t know what to say because I really didn’t know what type of guy he was. He talked about what we wanted to accomplish here in terms of academics, on the court, and staying together as a family.”

On whether or not he thought about leaving Kentucky after Coach Smith resigned…
“I didn’t think about it much, because that would mean leaving the best program in the country. I’m going to stay here.”

Source: http://www.ukathletics.com/index.phps=&url_channel_id=37&url_article_id=19881&change_well_id=2


I think the players had real good reactions to BG. And I like too see that, and so should all UK fans.