Kentucky Wildcats Succeed by Starring as Role Players

Completing college basketball’s Final Four puzzle is impossible without the right pieces. Those pieces must be correctly aligned to work together and create a masterpiece. John Calipari’s 2022 Wildcats have learned how to stand out by fitting in with the team. Instead of soaking in the limelight as the star, each is shining bright in their defined role.

In the not so distant past, Calipari latched onto the phrase “position-less.” It was catchy, and helped bring in five-star players that did a little bit of everything. Instead of being great at one thing, the position-less players just did everything okay, producing lackluster results.

Abadoning that practice, Calipari constructed a roster filled with role players who perform specific tasks exceptionally well. They’re learning how to feed off one another, creating a successful symbiotic relationship.

“You’re playing for each other,” Calipari said Friday afternoon. “You’re creating for each other and if everybody’s creating for the other guys, it’s a fun way to play.”

Any Role Player Can Star on Any Given Night

In the win over South Carolina Tuesday night, six Wildcats scored in double figures, thanks in large part to 25 assists on 34 made field goals. Kentucky is playing unselfish basketball because they trust each other to make decisions that benefit the team, not just the individual.

“Everyone knows their role. Their sole focus in every game is to star in that role,” said Kellan Grady. “… I think for the most part, guys have really bought into our team and to what the coaching staff asks of each player.”

Without one or two players consuming all of the oxygen on the court, it allows any one of those “role players” an opportunity to shine one any given night. Six different Wildcats have scored 20 points or more in a game this season.

“When we all play to each other’s strengths, it can be anybody’s night,” Davion Mintz said. “That’s why you come in, you have a deep roster like this, but everyone knows their role and meshes together. We’re really just now tapping into ourselves.”

Davion Mintz: Sixth Man of the Year?

John Calipari believes Davion Mintz is the best sixth man in college basketball. The role is new to Mintz. He was previously a starter at Creighton and the leading-scorer on last year’s Kentucky basketball team. Once he learned what was required — “bring energy, make shots, defend my guy” — he discovered the benefits to coming off the bench.

“I’ve embraced it,” said Mintz. “It’s a really fun role once you figure it out and I look forward to going into every game. I’m able to see things that I wouldn’t have been able to see if I was in the game. Like I said, I’m comfortable with both things and it’s been really fun. This team has been really special. These guys that I’m playing with everyday and these coaches are honestly making what I do fun.”

Mintz received some inspiration from the professional ranks when making the transition from starter to sixth man from one player in particular.

“Whatever he does, he’s providing something for his team and that’s Lou Williams. How he made the sixth man cool — I mean, there’s rap songs about him. He really defined that role and made it cool for a lot of young kids and upcoming basketball players to want to do. The immature person would laugh. ‘Oh, you’re coming off the bench?’ Lou made it so cool.”

Not only did Lou make it cool, he proved an individual could make a team successful even if his name wasn’t called in the starting lineup. Most of these Cats were stars at their former schools. They had to be humbled to figure out how to fit in with one another. Now that the Kentucky basketball puzzle is coming together just before the NCAA Tournament, it’s clear the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.