Q&A with Devin Askew: Loving the process and excited for a run

Kentucky point guard Devin Askew has had his struggles on the court this year, but he continues to say all of the right things off of it. Askew brought his positive attitude to Friday's post-practice press conference. Only a freshman, he represented his team well in responding to questions from the media about Kentucky's disappointing season and his takeaways from it all. These are five quotes that stood out...   1. "We’re excited to try to go on this run and hopefully get a chance to win the SEC Tournament." There is new uncertainty around conference tournaments now that leagues are allowed to award the automatic bid to regular season champions. However, the SEC Tournament is expected to be played as planned, and Askew is excited for the opportunity to win it. “We’re excited," he said Friday afternoon. "We’re excited to try to go on this run and hopefully get a chance to win the SEC Tournament then get a chance to play in the March Madness. So, we’re excited. We’re looking forward to it but we’re going one game at a time. From this point on, we’re just going one game at a time. Focused on the next game and that’s it.” 2. "I think we’re one step closer and we’re getting better so I’m happy.” Six of UK's last seven games, including the last four, were close losses with blown opportunities down the stretch. The Cats have been staring down victory only for things to go in favor of the other team in so many games. “I just take it as we’re learning," Askew explained in a response that'll make his 'win or learn' coach proud. "I know it’s been a long year. It’s been a lot of downs. I’m looking at it in a positive way. We’re one step closer, we’re connecting as a team. Yeah, I’m looking at it in a positive way. I think we’re one step closer and we’re getting better so I’m happy.” 3. "I’m not one of them kids." Devin Askew is one of many players to leave the West Coast for Kentucky to play for John Calipari; however, just about all of the ones before him transferred back west after a season or two. There was Johnny Juzang last year, Jemarl Baker before him, Marcus Lee before him and Kyle Wiltjer before him. Today the Cats Pause's Darrell Bird asked if Askew has considered following their path back home. He emphatically replied, “No. Like I said before, my answer never changed, I’m not one of them kids. I’m here for good, staying here.” 4. "I think most teams would just give up by now." Asked what good has come from the losses, Askew pointed to the fight he and his teammates still bring each game despite the losing. "We’re losing a lot of games right now, but there’s never a game when we don’t go out there and fight," he said. "It’s always a game where we’re coming out with energy and a will to win." "I think most teams would just give up by now and, like ‘oh, this season is a wash, we’re kinda done with it.’ No, we’re still into it. We come out in practice every day and fight against each other and we come out in games and we fight and even though we’re not winning, we fight every game and we give it our all. I think that’s what I’m most impressed with." 5. "I fall in love with the process." In another response that will please his head coach, Askew spoke about his joy in being a Kentucky basketball player and falling in love with the process. It came up when he was asked what he enjoys and what fun he has found in a season without the perks of being a Kentucky basketball player, only the spotlight that has been full of negativity in a losing year. Askew said, "Even though we’re losing, that time before the game, putting on a Kentucky jersey, just knowing I’m a kid from a small place in Sacramento, California and I made it to Kentucky. I’m happy with that. And just going out there and fighting with my teammates, I find joy in doing that. Even though the games are very close, I find joy in close games because, at one point, we’re going to come out on top and that feeling is great. And we’re going to get that feeling again. But that’s what I find joy in is fighting with my teammates and knowing I came from a small place and I’m here." As for what fun he has found, “Just getting better," he said. "I fall in love with the process. This may sound weird, but I fall in love with struggling because I know there’s going to be good that comes out of it. I fall in love with getting better every day. I fall in love with things that are tough and things I need to get better with. That’s what I find joy in. I find joy in not being the best in certain things because I’m going to put the in the work to eventually become the best.”  

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