John Calipari praises Jordan Burks for how he handled not playing vs. UNC

With a few players back in the fold for Kentucky, others have seen their minutes reduced over the past few weeks. Even so, one player hasn’t let it affect his attitude and John Calipari has taken note.

Calipari applauded the demeanor of Jordan Burks, the freshman forward, after he didn’t play in the Wildcats’ latest win over North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic. After not taking the floor in one of the team’s biggest games of their season, he was still all smiles and Calipari had a certain appreciation for that.

“The guy I worried about – and he was smiling after the game and I loved it – was Jordan Burks,” said Calipari. “I’ve been playing Jordan as a three, which he loves because he was playing four or five because we were shorthanded and that’s not who he is.”

“But I said, ‘Stay with it, man. You’re going to get a chance and you’re going to bust through’. But I didn’t play him and he was fine,” said Calipari. “He smiled.”

Over Kentucky’s first six games, Burks played a total of 71 minutes for an average of 11.8 per game. In those minutes, he averaged 1.8 points and 3.7 rebounds as the team’s makeshift backup power forward or center.

In the two games after, Burks played just 11 minutes in total. He scored five points in one outing and none in the next. Then, in the next two games since Aaron Bradshaw started to see significant time in his return from injury, he hasn’t taken the floor at all.

Early in the season, Burks had to play out of necessity due to issues in the frontcourt. However, at this point, the Wildcats have several options in those spots such as Bradshaw, Tre Mitchell, Justin Edwards, Adou Thiero, and Ugonna Onyenso.

Calipari doesn’t want Burks to just become content with not seeing the floor moving forward considering he’s just as good in spots and the team may need him at some point. With that said, he admired Burks’ delight for his teammates even after not getting to succeed himself.

“I expect him to be a little bit upset because he’s a competitor who wants to play. But he was happy we won and it shows what he is,” said Calipari.

Calipari ‘kind of liking’ where Kentucky is at this point

It was a complete team effort for the Wildcats when they played in Atlanta this weekend. No. 14 Kentucky staved off No. 9 North Carolina for a late, 87-83 win in the CBS Sports Classic.

After the game, John Calipari raved about his team and the way they played on Saturday against the Tar Heels.

“I’m telling you, that is a veteran team that came in with one idea. They were going to be physical with us. That’s what they did. You know what? We held our own,” said Calipari. “This is a group of young, talented basketball players that are still learning. We’re not near where we should be or where we will be. But I’m kind of liking where we are at this stage of the season. But now it’s time to say, ‘Okay, let’s go.’”