What Kentucky players are thankful for: "I’m unbelievably blessed"

There is typically a method to John Calipari’s madness, a purpose to his decisions as the head coach at the University of Kentucky both on and off the floor. So when he has his players wake up every Thanksgiving morning to serve food at the Salvation Army, there is a clear reason for it.

His goal for the team? Understand the value of being here and the platform that comes with it. You’re now a role model whether you know it or not. Embrace it.

“It’s so important for these guys to know you’re gonna be in a position to make a difference with people,” Calipari said this week. “Some of it is spending a minute and a half, just being engaged and letting them feel special. The other side of it is being able to do stuff for others who are less fortunate and maybe just came up against it, stuff worked against them. Now they’re in a position where they need a helping hand. It’s a good time.”

It’s pretty clear the guys heard that message loud and clear ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. As easy as it is to get caught up in the glitz and glamour that comes with being a celebrity on campus as a Wildcat, the players found it easy to take a step back and soak in what this opportunity means.

It’s bigger than basketball here.

“I’m thankful for my family, thankful for the position God put me in,” freshman forward Jordan Burks said. “I’m thankful for how I’m able to go serve people (on Thanksgiving), give back and help people. Show other people we’re appreciative.”

“I’m thankful for my family and the brothers that I have,” fifth-year senior Antonio Reeves added. “I’m blessed to be here and have this opportunity, just moving forward.”

“My family, and always God, you know? Without God and my family, I wouldn’t be the person that I am today,” freshman Justin Edwards joined in. “… It’s my first time (going to the Salvation Army), so I’m excited to see what that experience will be like.”

And then there is graduate transfer Tre Mitchell, whose journey to Lexington saw the most twists and turns before reaching his final destination. He started at UMass for two seasons, then made back-to-back stops in the Big 12 at Texas and West Virginia. Then after Bob Huggins’ departure in Morgantown, he found himself as a late portal addition and quickly made the move to Kentucky for his final season of eligibility.

Calipari previously described Mitchell falling into his lap as “fate.” The 6-9, 231-pound forward out of Pittsburgh sees it as a God-guided blessing that forever changed his life.

“I’m unbelievably blessed to be in the position I’m in, to play for the Big Blue Nation. To be on the path that I have been on and ultimately leading me here for my last year of college, it’s such a blessing from God,” Mitchell said. “It looks different from an outside perspective, but when you take a step back from it and really look at it, God has orchestrated this unbelievably for me to be here. And my family has supported me every step of the way, I can’t be thankful enough for them. Regardless of how I play, what I do, they support me. It’s such a blessing to have a loving and caring family around me.

“And then to come here and play with these dudes is an unbelievable blessing in itself. You’ve got unbelievable talent, but like, these dudes, as people? I’m going to be in contact with these dudes for the rest of my life. It’s just — God has just been so graceful to me. It really, truly is unbelievable to me.”

Mitchell has turned that blessing into becoming arguably Kentucky’s most valuable player to open the season — certainly with the Wildcats shorthanded in the frontcourt. His ability to stretch the floor and pass the basketball has been a true game-changer for Calipari’s five-out offensive efforts. And he’s been a welcomed surprise defensively, as well, albeit as an undersized five man battling against plodding bigs early on.

“He’s very valuable,” Reeves said of Mitchell. “He’s a vet and has been in these situations before. We need him.”

But we’ll worry about his on-court value again tomorrow as the Wildcats prepare to take on Marshall. For tonight, though, Mitchell will be grateful to have a full spread at Coach Cal’s house for Thanksgiving dinner.

What does that consist of — if he has any say in the matter, at least?

“I’m not a big turkey guy, I prefer ham. So I’m going ham, then half of my plate’s got mashed potatoes on it,” Mitchell said. “Mixing corn in there with the mashed potatoes, then I’ve gotta have some mac and cheese. Green bean casserole, gotta have the yams, gotta get the roll with butter. I go crazy on Thanksgiving. Those are the basics. Then you get apple pie with some ice cream, throw that in there.”

Wait, mixing corn and mashed potatoes?

“It’ll change your life,” he added.

Reeves is ready for his Thanksgiving feast, too.

“Green beans, corn, mashed potatoes, turkey, macaroni and dressing,” he said. “I’m not really keeping anything off my plate. I’m eating everything, to be honest. Not gonna lie.”

The guys have earned that feast the way they’ve started the season.