Nerlens: "No excuse to not progress"

by:Kristen Geil06/15/13
    As the number of days til the draft dwindles, so does Nerlens Noel's time to show teams that he's well on the road to recovery from a torn ACL. But that doesn't scare the Flattop Feller. In an interview with USA Today, Nerlens told Alex Kennedy that nothing will stop him from attacking rehab and his professional career with the same determination and never-quit mentality that ironically led to his injury in the first place:  
"There will be no excuse to not progress the way that I want to progress," Noel says. "Basketball will be the No. 1 priority. That will be my main focus, and it's going to take up most of my time. I'll be able to really work on it as a craft and bring my development along."
  The article gives an overview of Noel's progress from budding college star to injured draft prospect learning how to handle fame and his basketball talents, comparing his game to Bill Russell and Kevin Garnett. Kennedy also notes that Nerlens has received guidance from Rajon Rondo and Derek Anderson, former UK greats who have been in the same situation. Nerlens allows that he's still ahead of schedule in terms of recovery, but qualifies that with "There's no rush. I'm just trying to get back."   Kentucky fans never questioned Nerlens' work ethic and dedication to improving himself and his teammates; now, NBA managers and execs are seeing the same amazing young man we all got to experience in Lexington. Go get em, buddy.   @KristenGeilKSR

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