Drake and John

As we get set to start a new season (or just did, I guess) under Coach Cal, it appears that there will be another familiar face returning, as well.  For better or worse, Canadian teen soap star and rapper Drake is going to be along for the ride again, according to this interview with ESPN Music.  Yes, ESPN Music.  If this paragraph hasn't already completely beaten you down in about 100 different ways, here's the interview below: 

The Life: You were spotted at four Kentucky basketball games this year, you're obviously a big Kentucky basketball fan. How did that all come about, you and Coach Cal's relationship? Drake: I linked up with him through … we're all connected, a lot of family, um, and … The Life: You say family, is that World Wide Wes-like family? Drake: (laughs) A lot of family. We're all connected. I met him through a lot of great people. Seeing him speak at [Big Blue Madness] when the players came out, seeing him speak there, I was inspired by him. It was very moving. Just talking and meeting the guys, I was like, man my heart was in it. I took a lot of days off to see Kentucky basketball games and me and John [Calipari] became good friends. And becoming friends with John, I became closer with John [Wall], DeMarcus [Cousins] and Patrick [Patterson]. So it was cool, man. It was a great year. I connected with them because they're young and their lives are changing, and my life is changing. It's sort of like on my album, "Sports and music are so synonymous. Because we want to be them and they want to be us." It's kind of that kind of thing. The Life: Do you still keep in contact with DeMarcus and John? Drake: Oh yeah, definitely. I talk to John. I talk to DeMarcus sometimes. I got my eyes on the ESPN channel, watching what's going on. The Life: Nice plug. Drake: Thank you. The Life: Now do you think Coach Cal is bumping to your music in his office or possibly just using you as a recruiting tool to keep a hip image with young players? Drake: I don't know if anyone sees Coach Cal in his private office time, but if I had to guess, I think he lights candles and listens to Phil Collins to calm himself down. The Life: So no Drake? Drake: (Laughs) I hope so. That would be an honor, but I don't know if Coach listens to my music. But I know he's got a lot of love for me, and I've got a lot of love for him. It's a rebuilding year for Kentucky, and I'm really excited to see what he does with the team. I'm hoping to get out to some games and hoping to maybe get out to some other games this year as well. I only saw Kentucky games last year, so I'm going to make my way around this year and try and be more involved with college basketball overall. The Life: So you're not going to try and unseat Ashley Judd as the Wildcats' top cheerleader? Drake: I don't think I can ever do that, definitely not. The Life: I take it you go to meet her at some of these games. Drake: Yeah, we sat near each other, beside, in front, behind. The Life: You get any hugs? Drake: Yeah, yeah. Hugs, always cheering, she gets me into it, for sure.