Kentucky Kernel -- Hoops'98

OUTSPOKEN

Spotlight can be blinding

	HOBIE HILER \| KERNEL STAFF
	UK freshman Tayshaun Prince chatted with reporters during UK's media day. Prince is just now learning about the frenzy Cat fans have about hoops.

Idolatry: UK basketball players must not only deal with performing, but with adoring fans as well

By Matt May
SPORTSDAILY EDITOR

It's the pinnacle of college basketball.

The most glamorous job that really isn't a job.

It is heaven.

It is being a part of the UK basketball program, arguably the most storied and prestigious program there is. The ultimate team, atmosphere and tradition.

But along with all the attention comes a price. The price of being known ... famous almost. The price of having your every move watched like a hawk, with angry naysayers ready to pounce if you screw up.

To be a part of Wildcat basketball is to be a member of a cult. Fans in the Bluegrass and beyond want to talk hoops year-round, because to them, there is no offseason.

If there are no games, there is recruiting or discussions on who the next player to defect to the National Basketball Association might be, or maybe it's just that someone sees a player at dinner with his girlfriend.

But when you sign with the Cats, you know it's coming. You might not know when or how much, but you know. You must be prepared, or you can be overwhelmed.

"It (the recognition) feels great," junior center Jamaal Magloire said. "When you sign here, you know what's coming, but that just shows the fans are loyal."

Sophomore guard Ryan Hogan agreed.

"Coming to UK, you understand that you are always in the public eye," Hogan said. "Everybody knows you. There is no other focus, so you are visible in the spotlight. You have to carry yourself in a certain way."

UK head coach Tubby Smith knows how difficult it can be to deal with the blinding spotlight at UK.

"We are held to higher standards," Smith said. "Sometimes there are things you can't say or do that you want to.

"People have a perception of who you are and who you represent. It takes a special person to be able to do that. It is something you can't understand until you've learned to deal with it."

For a native son, the attention is twofold. Not only are you a UK player, but also you are from Kentucky, like senior Scott Padgett.

"It's tough if you aren't from here to realize how big UK basketball is," Padgett said. "In Puerto Rico (the Cats play in the Shootout there), we'll have 3,000 fans there even if they don't have tickets."

The attention received isn't always bad, just different.

"It's nice to have the support," senior forward Heshimu Evans said. "It's good to go out and have people say, 'Hi.' It's a little different than New York (Evans' old stomping ground)."

Smith said the success of UK basketball has brought a nationwide fan base to the program.

"UK is the team of the '90s," Smith said. "It is America's team. UK stands out from the others."

But even Smith has found it tough to please everyone at times.

"With the media and the number of people who are interested in the program, you are constantly scrutinized," Smith said. "You just want to try and accommodate everyone, but I've really struggled with that."

If you don't believe the infatuation, just ask Padgett to spin his favorite UK basketball tale.

"The weirdest story was a lady who named her kid after me," he said. "She called my parents to tell them."

Such is the life of a UK player.

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