Josh Harrellson helped Kentucky reach the 2011 Final Four with upset wins over Ohio State and North Carolina before the Cats lost in the national semifinals to Connecticut.
     The likable center is still playing professional basketball as he’s wrapping up his seventh season in Japan where he recently went over the 5,000-point mark
     “I have been very lucky to stay healthy for the past seven seasons. It is a lot of points, that is for sure,” said the 6-11, 260-pound Harrellson, who was recruited by Billy Gillispie but flourished under John Calipari. “Getting 5,000 points is a blessing. Thanks to all the teammates that have assisted me and all of the teams that have allowed me to play for them.”
     Harrellson had 17 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in an upset win against Ohio State and All-American Jared Sullinger in the NCAA Tournament — and what UK fan will ever forget him slamming the ball into Sullinger — before coming back with 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists in the East Region final win over North Carolina to put UK in the Final Four.
     Harrellson had brief stints with several NBA teams after getting drafted in the second round and also played overseas in three other countries before finding his home in Japan.
     In 56 games for Fukushima this season, he has averaged 11.6 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals per game while playing 31.6 minutes per game. He’s a 36 percent shooter from 3 with 180 treys.
     Here’s what Harrellson shared about his basketball and life.
     Question: What has been the secret to being a consistent scorer for so many years as a professional now? Harrellson: “I just play in the system to be honest. But I can adapt to any kind of system and that has been my best attribute.

However teams want me to play or need me to play, that is how I play. My game is not limited to a certain style.”
     Question: You are averaging a double-double this season along with four steals per game. At age 34, you have to be really happy with what you are doing other than just scoring. Harrellson: “Yes I am 34 years old now. I am trying to do my best to help my team win and fortunately I am averaging a double-double this season with four assists and a steal or two. I am trying to be the best defender in my league.”
     Question: Is the body slowing down at all for you? Just how much training do you have to do to keep going during a season? Harrellson: “I do not feel that my body is slowing down very much. I am still averaging over 30 minutes a game and competing hard, playing back to back games every weekend. The older I have gotten, the less training I have done in the offseason. Mostly rest and spending time with the kids.”
     Question: Do you see yourself still playing at age 40 or is there an after-basketball plan in place for your life? Any luck yet on getting that Japanese citizenship? Harrellson: “To be honest, I think my body could play until 40 but mentally I do not want to play that long. I want to spend more time with my family at home and not be away so much. I am going to take the (citizenship) test in May so hopefully I can obtain the citizenship.”
     Question: Another tough season for Kentucky basketball. Did you get to see any games or another NCAA loss for the Cats? Harrellson: “Yes, I saw Kentucky had an up and down season. I really hope that they can figure it out and get back on track.”
     Question: How is your family doing and how much do they enjoy watching you play? Harrellson: “My children enjoy watching me play but they wish I was around a lot more … which I will be around more soon.”
     Question: What if some UK fans wanted to reach out to you? What would be the best way to do that because I know how popular you remain with them and there was a lot of talk of what you did in that Ohio State upset during this year’s tourney again? Harrellson: “If anyone wanted to reach out to me they could always DM (direct message) on Twitter or they could reach out to you if you are okay with that.”

     Reed Sheppard is the lowest rated player in Kentucky’s signing class even though he’s a consensus top 30 player in the 2023 recruiting class. However, the North Laurel senior continues to add to his resume and recently led his Team Ohio to a 5-0 record and the championship of the Under 19 Junior International Tournament in Lissone, Italy.
     He was named the tournament’s most valuable player after leading his team in scoring in the 12-team event that had teams from eight countries.
     This followed his solid play at the McDonald’s All-American Game and being named Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball. He was a unanimous pick on the Courier-Journal all-state team, something that almost never happens, and he helped North Laurel win two straight 13th Region titles.
     He had one of the most historic high school careers ever. He is No. 1 all-time in the state in steals with 653 and second in career assists with 1,214. Sheppard also ranks third on the career scoring list with 3,727 points.
     Krysten Peek, a NBA draft analyst for Yahoo Sports and contributor for Rivals, watched Sheppard play at the McDonald’s All-American Game and liked what she saw.
     “Reed plays the right way. He told me he would do anything coach Cal asks of him whether it is ball handling, playing on the wing, running water to his teammates or being the best teammate on the bench,” Peek said. “He is going to be a guy who can be plugged into multiple spots.
     “I thought Reed was fantastic at Hoophall (Classic in Springfield, Mass.). At McDonald’s, there were so many guards that were ball dominant that Reed just slipped into different positions as needed. He was a really good complimentary piece in a showcase game like that but he’s going to fit in very nicely at Kentucky for coach Cal.”

     Defensive lineman Deone Walker had an impressive freshman season that earned him national honors and made him the target of a lot of transfer portal speculation. However, the 6-6, 345-pound Walker insists he never thought of leaving UK and believes he can have a much better sophomore season by improving his conditioning.
     “It can do a lot because I left so many plays out on the field last year that I feel like if I get a good year in, I’m going to have about a 50-60 tackle season,” he said.
     Defensive line coach Anwar Stewart is even toying with the idea of playing Walker at more than just one position this season to enhance his versatility and the overall defense’s flexibility.
     “He ain’t done yet. He’s not there. He’s a big kid. We’re still working to get his weight down, using that length,” Stewart said before spring practice ended. “He hasn’t even touched the talent that he can play at and the level he can play at.
     “I’ve just got to keep pushing him, keep driving him. Once he gets stronger, he’s just going to be dominant. He’s so long and athletic that once he gets his weight down and continues to eat up that weight room, the sky is the limit for that kid.”

     Former UK running back Benny Snell, Kentucky’s all-time leading rusher, was back in Lexington where he visited with students participating in the YMCA of Central Kentucky’s After School Program at Maxwell Elementary School. He was there to match the $3,500 raised by the YMCA kids in the Youth Penny Wars that is part of the YMCA’s annual Impact Campaign.
     Snell interacted with players and signed autographs for everyone that wanted one during his visit and also answered questions the youth had. He told them how he spent time as a kid in Columbus at the YMCA.
     “I liked to just run outside and go play ball with friends. Those were good times,” said Snell.
     He’s spent the past four seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s currently a free agent hoping to sign soon with the Steelers or another NFL team.
     “The NFL has been a crazy ride like a roller coaster but we are still riding is all that matters,” Snell said.
     The former UK running back explained to the youngsters how much he had learned playing in Pittsburgh.
     “The coaches are phenomenal. I learned on and off the field lessons I can take into life to help me with my kids,” Snell said. “The first day I walked in (to the Steelers) they were treating me like family just like it was in Kentucky.”

     Offensive coordinator Liam Coen knows North Carolina State transfer Devin Leary is going to be his starting quarterback next season. However, he’s still trying to determine if Kaiya Sheron, Destin Wade or Deuce Hogan will be the backup quarterback.
     “It’s huge for one of those guys to step up. I have a familiarity with Kaiya (who was at UK in 2021 when Coen was previously at Kentucky). He knows some things we are doing but how do you react in those situations,” Coen said.
     “Kaiya, I know he can execute the offense. Now I am seeing Destin and Deuce in competition with the second group. Destin did a nice job at the end of the scrimmage. He gave us life with some throws he made and decisions he made. I was really happy with the way Destin did that.”
     Coen said he’s constantly on Sheron about his demeanor and becoming more outgoing.
     “I want him to have a little bit more gumption. Show these guys you can be the guy with your demeanor,” Coen said. “Sometimes perception can be reality. I want him just to have that confidence to develop as a leader so guys want to play for him.
     “The backup quarterback, you need one guy to show the players and coaches you can trust him.”

  Quotes of the Week

Quote of the Week 1:

     “I don’t see any reason why it would be something implausible. I could very easily see it happening,” Sports News columnist Mike DeCourcy on the possibility of Oscar Tshiebwe staying at Kentucky another year.

Quote of the Week 2:

     “He has the arm strength to get the ball in a small window and a great throw always beats great defense. That is what makes him special when you see him throw and his ability to drive the ball in a tight window and defenders can’t do anything about it,” NFL analyst Louis Riddick on UK quarterback Will Levis.

Quote of the Week 3:

     “I think records are meant to be broken. At any point in time, they’re going to be broken. My thought was to come in here and just do what I’ve been doing since high school. Nothing has changed, just a different uniform,” Kentucky freshman Jordan Anthony after he set a new school record of 10.16 seconds in the 100-meter dash.