Article by Timothy Kyle Wyatt
A few months ago John Calipari made a pair of walk-on player’s dreams come true. He awarded Sam Malone and Brian Long with scholarships for the upcoming 2012-13 season. Though, it’s in no way an indicator that we will see them unless Kentucky is up by 30 with less than five minutes to play…it’s more of a reward for being good sports.
Regardless of the fact that this could only be a one year deal, both Long and Malone’s families were overjoyed to hear the news. Herald-Leader writer, Jerry Tipton, got a reaction from Long’s father, Brian Long Sr.:
“Unbelievable that coach has given him the opportunity. Coach told Brian, and Brian told us. It was exciting to hear. Brian knows his role and knows what he has to do to contribute to the team. Coach rewarded him for doing the right thing.”
Playing basketball for Kentucky is something of an honor in itself, but it has to feel a little more gratifying going from walk-on to scholarship player.
