Kentucky Wildcats often refer to one another as “brothers,” now those Kentucky ties are carrying over to the NBA. When Eric Bledsoe was traded to the Suns by the Clippers last July, rookie Archie Goodwin found someone he could instantly relate to.
Goodwin told azcentral.com:
“We’re both from the South so we relate to the same things because we grew up the same way,” Goodwin said. “He’s just a quiet guy like I am off the court and plays with a lot of energy and toughness like I do. We definitely have things that make us bond closer.
“When it comes to basketball, he’s emotional. On the court, he says a few things. When he does talk, he says something that you should listen to. Off the court, we talk about games and he tells me key points about things I do good and things I can do better. He helps me and I help him the same way. He’s my big brother but he’ll take advice from me the same way.”
The pair met at Coach Cal’s basketball camp this summer and began hanging out after Bledsoe’s arrival in Phoenix.
Sacramento King Patrick Patterson still sees Bledsoe as his “little brother.”
“It’s crazy that he (Bledsoe) is a big brother because I don’t see him like that… He’s like my little brother. For me to see him being a big brother to somebody is a little strange but I’m definitely proud of him. He’s got himself in a great situation on a great team with a great role. These guys look up to him and respect him and he’s done exceptionally well.”
Kentucky ties also run deep on the Kings. Patterson is joined by not-so-little brother DeMarcus Cousins and former UK teammate Chuck Hayes. He called being reunited with the Cats in the NBA “a blessing.”
Anthony Davis and Darius Miller were both drafted by New Orleans. Davis has said it definitely helped having a familiar face on the team.
We’re …going through the same thing. We can lean on each other, give each other advice. What we see on the floor and try to help each other out, to be great players in the league.
With more and more Kentucky players reaching the NBA, this “Big Blue brotherhood” continues to grow. That instant connection is helping ease the transition while players find their way in the league.
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