Shai Gilgeous-Alexander speaks to Kentucky basketball team after GLOBL Jam

“I just want to say a few things. I love the way you guys play basketball. You guys move it, you play for each other. You guys can all pass, shoot, and dribble. That’s going to take you guys a long way,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “That’s where the league is going. I’m sure you guys know that.”

“Just keep being selfless and keep working hard. I’m sure you guys hear it all the time,” said Gilgeous-Alexander. “But you guys are talented and, if you stick together, you guys will be very good for sure.”

Gilgeous-Alexander, a Canadian himself, was part of Kentucky’s No. 2 recruiting class back in 2017. He made his mark during his lone season in Lexington as averaged 14.4 points, 5.1 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game in 37 games as a Wildcats. That production helped him eventually make the SEC All-Freshman Team and win the SEC Tournament MVP. He then led UK to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.

SGA was then the latest lottery pick for Kentucky in the NBA Draft as he went 11th overall in 2018. Over five seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers and Thunder, Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 21.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. This past year was his best season yet as he posted overall career-highs in points (31.4), steals (1.6), and field-goal percentage (51%) en route to his first All-Star and All-NBA selections.

Gilgeous-Alexander has become a big-time name at the next level after going one and done at Kentucky. With his own personal connections to Canada, he was the perfect former player for next season’s Wildcats to hear from after their major accomplishment inside the Mattamy Athletic Centre this week.

Calipari provides troubling update on Ugonna Onyenso

After Kentucky defeated Team Canada to win the gold medal at GLOBL JAM on Sunday, head coach John Calipari broke some bad news. Kentucky forward Ugonna Onyenso will be out longer than expected after suffering an ankle injury before the event.

“I feel bad for Ugo. He’s gonna be out a while,” Calipari said. “Feel bad for him.”

A reporter responded by asking, “Longer than you thought?”, to which Calipari replied, “Yes”.

Onyenso suffered the injury on Tuesday during a closed scrimmage with Team Africa before the event officially began. The 6-foot-11 sophomore was prepped for a big season after an offseason of hard work.