Kentucky guard Devin Askew is "locked in" for 2021-22

The first domino has fallen for the Kentucky basketball program this offseason. After an up-and-down freshman campaign in Lexington, guard Devin Askew is planning to return for his sophomore season. "Yes sir, (Devin) is locked in for next season," the freshman guard's father, Brian Askew, told KSR. Following Kentucky's disappointing 74-73 loss to Mississippi State in the second round of the SEC Tournament, Askew says it's time to begin offseason training and looking ahead to next season.

"Dev is doing well," Askew said. "Sucks they lost but can’t dwell on it too long. Have to get back to work and get ready for next year."

It was a difficult season, one that ended with a 9-16 final record to give Kentucky its first year with fewer than ten wins since 1926-27 when Basil Hayden’s Wildcats finished the season 3-13. Considering the adversities surrounding the 2020-21 season, Askew hopes the majority of the roster decides to return next season and gets the opportunity to redeem themselves in what hopes to be a relatively normal year in 2021-22.

"Proud of all these boys," he added. "I would love for them all to come back and redeem themselves."

As a freshman, Askew finished the season averaging 6.5 points on 34.5% shooting, 27.8% from three and 80.6% from the line to go with 2.9 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 0.9 steals in 29.0 minutes per game. Prior to his debut season at Kentucky, the 6-foot-3 guard told KSR that he was ready to fight through any first-year struggles that would come his way. No matter how the season unfolded, the Sacramento, CA native wouldn't follow in the footsteps of some of UK's past West Coast players who transferred out of the program to move closer to home. In his own words, Askew is "different." “I’m different. I’m way different,” Askew told KSR back in March of 2020. “I live on the West Coast, but I don’t play like a West Coast player at all. Nope. I play like an East Coast kid. I like to be physical, that’s just my game. Even though those are all great players (Johnny Juzang, Jemarl Baker and Kyle Wiltjer) and they all had fun while they were at Kentucky, they just wanted to do something that was better for them. But I’m different. “... I know I’m going to fight through adversity,” Askew continued. “If I don’t get out after one year [to the NBA], I’m staying at Kentucky. I’m going to grind it out for sure.” Fast forward one year, and it appears Askew is holding firm on his promise. The freshman guard is "locked in" for year two.