By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter nbrockman@the-messenger.com
As Jon Hood stepped off Don Parson Court at Madisonville-North Hopkins High School, University of Kentucky men's basketball coach John Calipari entered Maroon Gym during the program's latest camp tour stop on Monday.
NCAA guidelines limit Hood, a 2009 North grad and Wildcat freshman, and Calipari's interaction until he begins class as a full-time student. In the mean time, Hood has been doing his best to adjust to the collegiate level and Calipari's system.
"(Coach Calipari's) been around, but hasn't been able to teach us with all the rules, so we're still in the dark," Hood said speaking for the other UK freshman players. "I've watched tapes on Memphis.
"I've talked to some of the graduate assistants, some of the managers even that were with him at Memphis to know where to spot up, to know when to shoot, stuff like that. It's going to be fun. It's going to be exciting. That's one thing I can promise you. It's going to be exciting."
Calipari is none too happy that he can't work with Hood and his other highly touted freshman.
"That is one of the rules that needs to be changed," Calipari said. "The freshman should be able to work our camps. You'll notice Jon had to leave. Well, why? Because he's a freshman, so he couldn't work our camp. That's ridiculous.
"The second part of it is he's there all summer and I can't even walk in a gym and look at him shooting. I can't walk in a weight room and see him lift a weight. My windows overlook the practice facility, but if he were down there, I couldn't peek out the window. Those are rules we have to change, so when they come with us in the summer, even if it's two hours a week, to give him 'Here's what you work on,' then he goes and works on it."
NCAA guidelines limit Hood, a 2009 North grad and Wildcat freshman, and Calipari's interaction until he begins class as a full-time student. In the mean time, Hood has been doing his best to adjust to the collegiate level and Calipari's system.
"(Coach Calipari's) been around, but hasn't been able to teach us with all the rules, so we're still in the dark," Hood said speaking for the other UK freshman players. "I've watched tapes on Memphis.
"I've talked to some of the graduate assistants, some of the managers even that were with him at Memphis to know where to spot up, to know when to shoot, stuff like that. It's going to be fun. It's going to be exciting. That's one thing I can promise you. It's going to be exciting."
Calipari is none too happy that he can't work with Hood and his other highly touted freshman.
"That is one of the rules that needs to be changed," Calipari said. "The freshman should be able to work our camps. You'll notice Jon had to leave. Well, why? Because he's a freshman, so he couldn't work our camp. That's ridiculous.
"The second part of it is he's there all summer and I can't even walk in a gym and look at him shooting. I can't walk in a weight room and see him lift a weight. My windows overlook the practice facility, but if he were down there, I couldn't peek out the window. Those are rules we have to change, so when they come with us in the summer, even if it's two hours a week, to give him 'Here's what you work on,' then he goes and works on it."
Hood made an appearance before the camp officially began Monday evening. While at North, Hood fielded questions, signed autographs and talked with a few children and parents.
Hood has been home since completing two summer school classes, which finished July 31. Since then, he said he has been enjoying his time home, but continues to work hard.
"I've been at the lake and here (at North) working out, weightlifting, shooting twice a day, lifting twice a day, running," he said.
Hood's skinny frame has been one area he has been focusing on since he officially committed to UK and he said he's seeing progress.
"Right now, they've put some weight on me," Hood said. "I'm close to where I'm supposed to be. I'm not quite there yet."
Beneath it all, Calipari said he sees great potential in Hood.
"Jon Hood is a major college player, there's no question," Calipari said. "I've watched him. He physically has to catch up to some of these guys and that's not - it's a maturation process, but he's got the skill and he's got the athleticism, he's got the length. I really feel he'll be an integral part of this program. No question about it in my mind."
Despite never playing a single minute at college, freshmen like Hood will get an equal opportunity to play if they can prove their worth, Calipari said.
"When that balls goes up, the guys that deserve to be playing will be playing," he said. "If they're all returning players, that's who they are. If they're all new players, that's who they are. (I've) always coached that way."
Hood has been home since completing two summer school classes, which finished July 31. Since then, he said he has been enjoying his time home, but continues to work hard.
"I've been at the lake and here (at North) working out, weightlifting, shooting twice a day, lifting twice a day, running," he said.
Hood's skinny frame has been one area he has been focusing on since he officially committed to UK and he said he's seeing progress.
"Right now, they've put some weight on me," Hood said. "I'm close to where I'm supposed to be. I'm not quite there yet."
Beneath it all, Calipari said he sees great potential in Hood.
"Jon Hood is a major college player, there's no question," Calipari said. "I've watched him. He physically has to catch up to some of these guys and that's not - it's a maturation process, but he's got the skill and he's got the athleticism, he's got the length. I really feel he'll be an integral part of this program. No question about it in my mind."
Despite never playing a single minute at college, freshmen like Hood will get an equal opportunity to play if they can prove their worth, Calipari said.
"When that balls goes up, the guys that deserve to be playing will be playing," he said. "If they're all returning players, that's who they are. If they're all new players, that's who they are. (I've) always coached that way."
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