Killeya-Jones impressing at McDonald's practices
CHICAGO-- Sacha Killeya-Jones doesn't receive the buzz as some of the other Kentucky commits, but he likes it that way.
The North Carolina native by the way of Virginia is quiet, but don't let that fool you with his on the court tenacity.
"Somebody who's on the court and play very hard," Killeya-Jones said. "I enjoy the game and have fun with it but at the same time I'm going to compete every minute that I'm on the court. Off the court I like to have fun and I'm a laid back guy."
And Killeya-Jones isn't particpating in the majority of the smack talk that's infiltrated Chicago this week. He keeps to himself and he's enjoying time with his fellow UK commits.
Killeya-Jones is joined by his future teammates Malik Monk, De'Aaron Fox and Bam Adebayo.
"It's been really great getting to know those guys a little bit more," Killeya-Jones said. "You get a good feel with one another on the court playing with and against each other."
Killeya-Jones is on the East Team for Wednesday's nights game at the United Center. That means he's been practicing with the East Team that includes Fox and Adebayo.
Adebayo and Killeya-Jones have been matched up with one another since both are bigs. Some of the battles have resulted with players on the floor, hard fouls and no sign of friendship between the two.
The future teammates have also talked a little trash with one another.
"That's just basketball," Killeya-Jones said. "We have a love each other off the court but if they're on the other team we're going to go after their necks. We're doing that and after the practice we're cool."
During Tuesday's practice Killeya-Jones found himself guarding Kansas commit Udoka Azubuike the duration of the practice.
The future Jayhawk is a 6-foot-11, 270-pound center that looks bigger. Killeya-Jones is listed at 6-foot-11, 215-pound forward.
It may appear to be an unfair matchup but Killeya-Jones not only held his own but outplayed Azubuike.
"I definitely think I've held my own," Killeya-Jones said. "Udoka is a big dude. He's like 7-foot 290-pounds. I've gone against him a couple times but I think I've done good against him. I've done good going against Bam too and I'll go against him everyday in practice next year, too."
Killeya-Jones would block some of Azubuike's shots and on offense would drag Azubuike away from the basket.
On Tuesday Killeya-Jones' shots were falling making him look like one of the most verstaile players on the floor.
"I'll play whatever they tell me to," Killeya-Jones said. "I've really been working on my versatility. I can play the three through the five. I can space it out and shoot the ball or I can post up and everything in-between. I'll do whatever Cal wants me to and whatever I have to do to get on the floor."
Comparisons have been tough to come by for Killeya-Jones. A player that does a little bit of everything and has one of the highest ceilings on the team.
Some have compared him to UK freshman Skal Labissiere because of his lengthy frame and ability to knockdown outside shots.
Killeya-Jones didn't dismiss the comparison.
"In terms of spacing the floor it's a pretty good comparison," Killeya-Jones said. "I think with Skal I think he likes to shoot a lot more midrange jumpers than I do. I really love to bang. People may not think that with my frame and me being kinda skinny and everything. I really like to get down there and fight. I like to do that more than Skal does and he has a really pure jumper and that's what I'm trying to get to."
Killeya-Jones received an invite to the Derby City Classic game in Louisville in April. He's waiting for an invite from the Jordan Brand Classic but if that never comes he may just skip all-star games entirely.
He's undecided but for now he's continuing to work and listen to what his future coach has to tell him.
"Cal has been great," Killeya-Jones said. "He's telling us to come in and work for everything. Fight for every inch and nothing is given to anybody."