catmandoo
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Member # 1284
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posted 03-30-2021 09:03 PM
What should Kentucky fans expect from Davidson grad transfer Kellan Grady? I dialed up my alma mater to find out. Matt McKillop, Davidson’s associate head coach and son of Bob McKillop, the Wildcats’ longtime coach, was more than happy to talk about Grady, the beloved four-year starter that will use his extra year of eligibility at Kentucky next season. Based on our conversation, the Cats are gaining not only a player who fills one of the biggest voids on the roster, but a person uniquely suited for the unusual challenge ahead of him.
Grady, a Boston native, arrived at Davidson as a Top 70 prospect and a first-team all-state selection with dreams of being the next Steph Curry. The Wildcats had a summer trip to Italy planned that year, so Grady was able to join the team in June to participate. McKillop said the 6’5″ combo guard immediately turned heads.
“He had a very big reputation, so it was very easy for our older players to have respect for him. His work ethic, his competitiveness, but at the same time, his respect for all those around him, his teammates, walk-ons, managers. I think that was unique too, of a freshman. Just the way he carried himself in all those different ways allowed for you to respect what he’s capable of on the basketball court.”
In the first game of his freshman season, Grady made quite the splash, sinking seven threes to lead Davidson to a 110-62 win over Charleston Southern. That night, Davidson made 26 threes, breaking an Atlantic 10 record and coming just two shy of the NCAA’s single-game record of 28 set by Troy in 1994. He started all but one game that season, averaging 18.0 points. In Davidson’s triple overtime loss to St. Bonaventure, he had a career-high 39 points, including 16-16 free throws, two to force double overtime and two more to force triple overtime.
“He was not shy of the big stage,” McKillop recalled. “He was very prepared mentally and physically to compete at that level all the way to the NCAA Tournament.”
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