I’ve had a favorite player as long as I can remember. I pick someone to cheer just a little bit harder for and I cheer for them until the day comes when they’re not a Wildcat. This year is the first time I’ve not had that someone to root for….Until now!
I remember staying up late watching the game with my dad and cheering for Kenny Walker. I cheered for Walker until the day he graduated and then I started cheering for someone in the incoming class. A few of my favorite players were Davender, Rex Chapman, Rhoderick Rhodes, Jamal Mashburn, Wayne Turner, Derek Anderson and Rajon Rondo. Ramel Bradley was my most recent “fave”, but since Bradley left, I’ve not been able to settle on who it’s going to be.
I’ve never been someone to go along with everyone else, so It’s usually not the obvious choices. Even though my previous favorites are all-stars, I would typically decide this during their freshman season. Right before all the hoopla started. That’s probably been my problem to this point. All of our freshman are coming in with so much attention and the expectations are so high, I’m actually turned off by it. I need an underdog to root for and I think I’ve found that in DeAndre Liggins.
I’m not sure what kind of trouble he found himself in at the beginning of the season, but he’s slowly regaining the trust of his coach and his teammates. And if you haven’t noticed, the media is paying attention to him as well. We all want to see the pre-Calipari era players succeed, but it seems as DeAndre is quickly becoming a fan favorite. His hustle and “go to work” attitude in the past few games is what us “Kentucky traditionalist” long for. It may be the lack of playing time that has changed his attitude, but its nice to see someone be humble about their role on the team. It’s like Ramel Bradley always said, “We’re playing for that Kentucky that’s across our chest”. Unlike most of our team, I think DeAndre really gets that.
So from here on out, just give me a DeAndre Liggins jersey! He’s my man! Who’s your favorite player (that’s not a freshman)?
