Derek Willis Q&A

Kentucky senior Derek Willis spoke with Cats Illustrated in late August about his last season at UK, his off-season legal problems, and being a leader.

The 6-foot-9, 220-pound forward from Mount Washington averaged 7.7 points, four rebounds and shot 44 percent from deep last season.

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Cats Illustrated: Let's start with what happened over the summer and the public intoxication arrest. What has changed since then?

Derek Willis: It was an eye-opening experience. It helped me refocus myself because it helped me understand what's really important- basketball and winning a championship. That's kinda where my head is at now. Trying to get my body more conditioned for the season. This is what I need to do if I want to have a career in basketball.

Cats Illustrated: What was going through your head when you were going to have that conversation with Coach Cal?

Derek Willis: It was disappointment because I let a lot of people down. It's not something as a person you want to do to anybody. I had a lot of support from him, too. I had a lot of people, fans, as well as all my family and friends that stood behind me. As well as the coaching staff that stands behind me, as well as my teammates. I think they know where my heads at.

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Cats Illustrated: How comfortable are you in your role this year?

Derek Willis: I feel more of a leader this year. Vocally, Isaiah is probably our leader because he can talk to anyone and everyone. I don't know. I just know expectations of the coaches and that's why I'm going to help the freshmen out and help them get through this.

Cats Illustrated: Besides shooting what have you work on?

Derek Willis: There thing with me was that they thought I could play a lower position, play offensively a lower position but I'd have to guard it. That was their thing. This summer I gain, I think 15 pounds. It's going to factor in to like me being able to play defense for a longer amount of time and just be stronger. Now I have weight to push people around.

Cats Illustrated: Who are you guarding in practice?

Derek Willis: In a lot of pick-and-roll situations I'm switching off on guards all the time. Even my freshman year I had to guard the Harrison twins, James Young and even Julius. I had to guard everyone. In my mind I know I can guard people but it's just putting it on the court and having more confidence and stuff like that.

Cats Illustrated: Does Bam compare to Julis Randle?

Derek Willis: Yeah, I think that's a fair assumption. I haven't seen Bam play because he's been out. He's just a big guy, he moves his body and it's nut. He'll be fine.

Cats Illustrated: Do you have a preference with what position you guard?

Derek Willis: I liked playing the four last year. I think once the season was going on they like putting me there, too. Offensively I could stretch the floor out and knock down shots, but I could also at times drive around big guys. Defensively, it's a lot of easier to guard, to guard them down low. It's not like out on the court where I'm constantly switching laterally, so I was really comfortable playing that position. It was really good.

Cats Illustrated: A big concern is three-point shooting. Will that be an issue this season?

Derek Willis: I don't think it's gonna be an issue. I'm sure we're going to have games where like no one is gonna hit a three-point or something. You're gonna struggle, just like any game. Malik can shoot, Fox has been hitting shots, Isaiah has a good shot, Dominique can hit shots. I shoot really well. Wenyen can actually step out and shoot and I don't know if people knew that about him. He shoots fine. I don't know. I don't think it will be an issue.

Cats Illustrated: Are you the best shooter on the team?

Derek Willis: Yeah, I'm the best shooter. That's what I do.

Cats Illustrated: What would be your starting five with guys you've played with at UK?

Derek Willis: I would put, I don't know. I would honestly take the guys I have right here. I'd take Malik, Fox, Isaiah, throw Bam in and roll with that group. It will be fun.

Cats Illustrated: Do you feel like a senior?

Derek Willis: Yeah, it's just crazy how you come in as a freshman and you learn all this knew stuff and now you turn around and you're a senior. It's pretty crazy. I'm really excited for this year and what all that is going to be like.

Cats Illustrated: What are some of the biggest differences between when you first stepped foot on campus vs. now?

Derek Willis: I feel like people have seen me play and they respect me more as a player and what I can do. I have a lot more support out and about when I'm doing stuff. They pull me aside and tell me how they appreciate how I'm representing Kentucky and how hard I'm playing and all that stuff. I think that was really cool to have people say that to me.

Cats Illustrated: Seems like this year UK could go small and you play the four with Bam at the five, or UK will go big and you'll come off the bench. Is that accurate?

Derek Willis: I don't think it really matters because I feel like we're gonna have this rotation of people and it doesn't matter. Some people may start off the game better, some people may not. They need to come in to the flow, but I don't know. We'll see. I don't even think the coaches have an idea of who will start or whatever.

Cats Illustrated: One word to describe this team?

Derek Willis: Athletic. I thought we were gonna be really fast, pressing team last year, but I really think this year we could because Bam can run the floor really well. I can run the floor fine. Fox and Malik are insanely fast and Isaiah isn't a slow guy either. I think we can wear teams down doing that. I like playing in the games where the game is really fast paced. We'll press, someone will score and we'll run down the floor and they'll score and I like it really back-and-forth. I think that's how our team will be. It will be very fast and athletic.

Cats Illustrated: Is there pressure to win a championship?

Derek Willis: Yeah, I've been saying that since freshman year. I want to win a championship, that's all that matters to me. Playing and participating in the SEC thing last year was big for me, it meant a lot. This year if we win the national title, it would be a dream come true.