Cason Wallace on his clutch three: "If I didn't take it, I would be a selfish teammate"

Kentucky guard Cason Wallace has been nothing short of spectacular on both ends of the floor to open his freshman season in Lexington, averaging 10.6 points per game on 52% from the field and 42% from three to go with 4.6. assists, 3.6 rebounds and 2.9 steals per contest.

His biggest individual moment, though, came in game eight against the Michigan Wolverines in London on Sunday — his first game-clincher.

With Kentucky desperate for its first statement win of the season, Wallace stared that moment in the eye and tossed a dagger, a 3-pointer from the left wing to go up five with 1:11 to go. Rather than letting an eight-point lead slip through the cracks, the versatile rookie put the team on his back and converted when it mattered most.

Jacob Toppin pass from outside the paint to the top of the key, Sahvir Wheeler over to Wallace for the 23-footer. Bang.

Cason Wallace CLUTCH! pic.twitter.com/gfNu37XAMT

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 4, 2022

Players have been tirelessly instructed to take that shot when open, a clear point of emphasis in practice. For Wallace, he was simply following through with his training.

“We’ve been in practice stressing inside out threes. We get to the paint, kick it out, and you’ve got to shoot it if you’re open,” Wallace said after the win. “It was one of those moments where it was inside-out, and I had to shoot it. Because if I don’t, I would have been a selfish teammate. So I shot the ball, and it went in.”

The standout newcomer had been challenged by head coach John Calipari about stepping up and asserting himself on both ends, playing with an aggressive mindset. “‘C’mon kid,'” he told Wallace. That went through his mind down the stretch as Kentucky needed buckets and big stops, something he provided for his team.

“Definitely was challenged because I was a few steps behind on defense and on offense, wasn’t really being aggressive,” Wallace said of his play. “So, just coming off screens and being active with my teammates, listening to them, they were building up my confidence. On defense, just being more locked in on the scout and on-ball guarding. My teammates helped me out with that, if I was late, they would help me out, they won’t make me look bad.”

The hard coaching is a product of the high expectations Calipari has for his blue-chip freshman. Wallace was Kentucky’s prized gem this past recruiting cycle, largely thanks to his win-at-all-cost mentality. He didn’t worry about the stats or accolades (though he was named event Player of the Game). All he cares about is winning basketball games.

“I know what he is,” the UK coach said afterward. “… He does a little bit of everything. He’s a player who doesn’t care about scoring. He got the MVP of scoring, but Jacob (Toppin) got the Most Impactful (Player award)– and he’s probably happy about it. He didn’t care. When you’re so worried about the stuff that doesn’t matter, it messes your game up. Just play.”

Did Wallace’s standout play catch Michigan head coach Juwan Howard off guard? Not in the slightest. The proof is in the pudding, no matter the sample size. Kentucky’s freshman guard is a player.

“It was no surprise,” Howard said of Wallace. “That fella knows how to play. I’ve watched enough of his games. I’ve seen what he’s capable of doing. And he made some big shots when they needed it.”

No surprise but Cason Wallace is named Player of the Game after Kentucky’s 73-69 win over Michigan. Freshman was clutch, finishing with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists. pic.twitter.com/sZuzjHtuqu

— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) December 4, 2022

Sure did.