SHAI ALEXANDER: Q&A at Marshall County Hoopfest
BENTON, Ky.-- New Kentucky commit Shai Alexander put on a show Friday evening at the Marshall County Hoopfest.
The 6-foot-4, 165-pound Canadian finished with 21 points, six rebounds, two assists and zero turnovers. His Hamilton Heights Christian Academy fell short to Prolific Prep 72-62.
Alexander spoke with a few reporters after his game.
On playing in Kentucky: The crowd was electric all game I felt. I got a little love when I came out of the tunnel. It was cool. It was a good game, too.
On signing autographs being new: Since I signed with Kentucky I've had to get used to it. There are a lot of fans.
On picking UK: It was Coach Cal's initial approach when he came to talk to me. He said that Kentucky was not for everybody and that you're going to have to fight through a lot of adversity and a lot of distractions and compete everyday. But you will get better and maximize your potential at Kentucky and I feel like that's what I want to do.
On watching UK this year: Definitely. Those guys can go. De'Aaron Fox, Isaiah Briscoe and Monk, took.
On talking with those guys: A little bit.
On Calipari saying Shai reached out to him after opening up his recruitment: I'm not sure as far as what went on. My coach talks to college coaches.
On if he thought he would be able to play at a place like Kentucky: I definitely did. I knew that when I decommitted that a lot of high schools were going to come after me.
On Joel Justus on initially talking with him: It was good. He is a real genuine guy. He cares about you as an individual. He broke down the specifics about how they could get me better, where he sees me in the program and built a good relationship with me quickly.
On when Calipari came in a week later: That's when he told me Kentucky is not for everybody. A lot of people say that Coach Cal is like a (???) but he's a real good guy. He has a great sense of humor. He's got it all as a coach.
On how long it took him to decide on UK: They were definitely a possibility but once I went on the visit, personally it was a no brainer. The environment is very professional. It's very business like. They eliminate distractions as much as possible and they get what they have to get done.
On if playing for team Canada allowed him to realize what a professional looked like: Yes sir. Especially with the older guys and seeing how those guys act on and off the court it was the exact same way at Kentucky.
On what UK coaches told him to improve on: Leading through adversity in tough games. My jump shot. Getting stronger before I get to the college campus.
On what he sees himself playing at UK: A point guard is my natural position.
On Quade Green picking UK: He's a great player. Especially talented passing and scoring. It should be fun playing with him.
On playing with him: It will be a lot like this year. Really fun to watch and we'll get after it.
On what Calipari said about playing with multiple guards: He said I'd be working with ball handlers and it would make it easier for me. He showed me how we could play together.
On if he knows about Quade's game: I played against him.
On if he knows P.J. Washington and Nick Richards: Yeah, a little bit. Five-star bigs. They should pretty good at everything.
On if he's talked to them: Yeah, I've talked to them.
On how playing for Canada helped: It gave me a confidence level going against guys that are so much older than me making it easier against my age. A couple guys showed me some tricks on the court and were really professional off the court.
On Calipari recruiting other guards besides Green: Yeah, I'm definitely OK with it. He has laid out the blueprint.
On if there's anyone he would want to play with: I'm not too sure. I trust who he's going after. He has a good selection.