Julius Randle writes about BBN, the NBA and Kobe Bryant

[caption id="attachment_162649" align="alignnone" width="600"] @NBA[/caption] Julius Randle made his writing debut today for The Cauldron, a website that describes itself as "Intelligent Sports Storytelling." Randle's subject? Big Blue Nation, one-and-dones and teaming with Kobe Bryant. Here's a brief glance at his work:

Before I even stepped foot on Kentucky’s campus, I was confident in my ability to become a member of the so-called “One and Done” club that quickly passes through the college ranks on the way to the NBA. What I didn’t expect was for my college experience to be so amazing. It helped me in a ton of ways on and off the court, and gave me a lot to think about before I made the decision to declare for last year’s draft."

First off, there’s no college experience like playing for the University of Kentucky, and it starts with the fan base. The fans are absolutely ridiculous, in a great way. When you play for the Wildcats, you’re like a member of their family. Those who wear the blue and white are treated like rock stars around town. Our fans live and breathe the game, and the passion runs year-round."

When people ask me what makes playing basketball there so different, I laugh, and I tell them, “Imagine practicing in front of 10,000 people; that’s why UK is the most amazing program in the country.” Elements of that level of devotion may exist elsewhere, but in Kentucky, you are never forgotten. Guys who played there 20 years ago will get mobbed if they show up on the streets of Lexington. Antoine Walker, Jamal Mashburn, Rex Chapman, Tayshaun Prince, it doesn’t matter – every single one of them is beloved.

There's plenty more from your favorite UK player last season, including why he chose to play for Calipari and his thoughts on the current state of college basketball.

DEFINITELY give it a read.

The NBA Choice: No One-Size-Fits-All Approach: By Julius Randle