catmandoo
Player
Member # 1284
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posted 04-19-2014 11:00 PM
Lee is going to be the biggest surprise on next years team as his upside is way up there and when he gets his opportunity he will not disappoint. He will work all summer and would bet with his determination to get bigger and stronger will be that much better. We are lucky to have him.
"I've really enjoyed my college experience and I'm looking forward to continuing to develop as an all-around player," Lee said in a statement released by UK. "Playing in the Final Four was such an amazing feeling, but I want to come back and help win that final game (next) year."
Lee's decision came as no surprise. During this past season, his brother, Bryan, dismissed speculation of a transfer by saying that Lee came to UK looking for long-term development and improvement. That Lee played in only one game between Dec. 7 and Jan. 7 was not an issue.
Bryan Lee noted that Kentucky coming to be synonymous with so-called one-and-done players gives the impression that all players look to stay in college only one season. With that timetable, little playing time as a freshman can feed speculation of unhappiness.
Bryan Lee said in December, "I know people looking from the outside, they kind of expect all the kids from Kentucky to be one-and-done.
"This is four years of college. And you can rush it and jump to the NBA and be in a tough situation."
Marcus Lee quickly became someone easy to like and root for. As one of six McDonald's All-Americans in Kentucky's freshman class, he had talent. He practiced with passion. He was smart and engaging in interviews.
But Lee needed more bulk. UK listed him at 6-foot-9 and 215 rebounds.
Further setbacks came because of the flu and a back strain when he tried to return too soon.
Lee played a total of five minutes, and did not score, in Kentucky's regular-season games against ranked opponents. Counting a Southeastern Conference Tournament game against Florida and an NCAA Tournament game against archrival Louisville, he'd played eight minutes and not scored against ranked opponents.
Lee's moment in the sun came against Michigan in the Midwest Region finals. With teammate Willie Cauley-Stein sidelined because of an ankle injury, Lee scored 10 points, grabbed eight rebounds and blocked two shots.
"He was someone that the coaches were like, 'We don't have to worry about him too much,'" Michigan forward Jon Horford said of Lee after the game. "He's a great player, obviously, but he's not going to change the game. And he came in and he changed the game."
"I'm excited for Marcus and think he's barely scratched the surface of what he's capable of," Coach John Calipari said in UK's release. "In addition to his athleticism and the energy level he brings, the experience he gained in the NCAA Tournament this year will be immeasurable for us next season."
Link
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http://www.ukfightsong.com/
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