CJ Fredrick assesses Cason Wallace's importance to this Kentucky team

Kentucky freshman guard Cason Wallace has lived up to his five-star expectations during the Wildcats up-and-down season this year. He’s averaging 12.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.0 steals on the season.

After Kentucky’s 72-67 victory over Florida over the weekend, forward CJ Fredrick discussed the importance of Wallace to helping this team reach its potential.

“He’s crucial,” Fredrick said. “He had that huge shot with the horns set and he had that huge shot on that three, when they were starting to make a little bit of a run. He brings a different dynamic to the game especially with him and Sahvir we’re in that game. You saw Sahvir go slip to the two and move him to the one, they were able to play off each other. He just does a little bit of everything. He’s obviously hurt right now but he’s battling through. It just tell you about who he is and the kind of leader he is.”

Wallace finished the game a team-high 20 points on 7-for-10 shooting from the field.

Fredrick also talked about the improvement the freshman guard has displayed throughout the season.

“I would say his patience and the way he’s reading the floor and running the offense,” Fredrick said. “Rarely is he sped up. He’s always playing with a good pace, change of pace, trying to make the right plays. I would say his pace and just understanding situations and what we need. If we need a bucket, he’ll go get it or he’ll create a play for someone.”

Kentucky’s Cason Wallace has won back-to-back SEC Freshman of the Week awards

Kentucky guard Cason Wallace was named SEC Freshman of the Week after the Florida game despite missing the team’s midweek victory over Ole Miss. He had also won the award the previous week.

“Wallace, a 6-foot-4, 193-pound freshman from Dallas, Texas, had 20 points, three blocks, and two assists in the Wildcat’s win over Florida. Wallace missed the win at Ole Miss with an injury but bounced back to go for 20 points, in the win over Florida. He scored 10 of Kentucky’s final 16 points in the game and notched a career-best three blocks. The contest was Wallace’s 14th double-figure scoring game and second with 20 or more,” read the press release.