What is the Kentucky basketball team thankful for on Thanksgiving?

On3 imageby:Jack Pilgrim11/25/21

The Kentucky men’s basketball team is getting some well-deserved time off for Thanksgiving before returning to action again Friday night against North Florida.

Before we worry about the Ospreys and continue to look ahead into the season, what is the team thinking about today? What do the Wildcats have to be thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Over the last several days, players and coaches opened up about the things that mean the most to them in life, ranging from teammates to family to the opportunity to play for the University of Kentucky.

Check out what the team had to say:

John Calipari

“Thanksgiving reminds me. You know how thankful I am? How about me having an opportunity to coach at the University of Kentucky? You’re crazy. My dad was a baggage handler and I wasn’t a great player. And I’m coaching at Kentucky? Come on. And finally, our fans are back. It was torture to play in last year’s pickup games without having the Big Blue Nation, including following us on the road.

“… If there’s one thing that I can teach (my team) is, if you want to create joy in your life, it’s what you do for others. There are many games we’re getting ready to play, and I’ll tell them, ‘Call somebody that’s helped you in the past.’ Call a teacher, call a coach, call a cousin, call someone who picked you up in the past and thank them. Again, just to help them understand. It’s not what you take, it’s what you give. That’s when you’re blessed, like we’ve been.”

Kellan Grady

“I’m not sure there’s a short answer for that. I’m incredibly thankful to be at the University of Kentucky to play on a team that is just filled with great teammates and high-quality guys. Being able to play for a coach that’s invested in every player and wants to add value and help us win and know us on a more personal level. I’m thankful to have gotten a college degree and being able to come here and play. I am thankful for my family and my friends. I guess good health as well, though I take that for granted.”

Oscar Tshiebwe

“I’m thankful for being alive. I’m thankful for everything God has done for me. I wish I had something I could give back to the community for what God has done for me. I’m thankful for my family, the program we have by the grace of God, everything we’re doing right now is by the grace of God. I’m so thankful, appreciative of all people thinking of me and who helped me throughout this whole process. I wish I had something I could give to them. One day, God is going to provide and I’ll be able to give. I’m thankful for that.”

Bryce Hopkins

“I’m thankful for my family. I’m thankful to be in the position I am, to play for this great university. I just want to keep getting better, keep seeing the way. Hopefully that helps me achieve my dreams one day.”

TyTy Washington

“What am I thankful for? I’m thankful for the ability to play the game of basketball, that’s first and foremost. I’m thankful for my family, because without them, I wouldn’t be here in this position. My family sacrificed so much for me to be here. I’m really thankful for everybody in my family, in my circle. I’m thankful for the group of guys we have. It’s not a traditional Kentucky team with a bunch of freshmen, we’ve got a bunch of transfers, three freshmen, older guys, so a bunch of guys taking us in as their little brothers, and we’re looking up to them. Still always looking up to them, but can always give our point of view on something — they take the criticism as if they were our little brothers.

“This group of guys we have is very special, and to be here, to be coached by a legendary coach like Coach Cal and the rest of the staff, working with my brothers every single day in practice and wars, that’s really fun. That’s what I’m thankful for.”

Sahvir Wheeler

“I’m thankful for my family. I’m really thankful for my parents, the amount of sacrifice they’ve made and are willing to do to this day, to this moment, I could never repay them in a million years. The way they’ve raised me, the way they’ve raised my siblings, I couldn’t ask for a better set of parents. I’m thankful for my siblings, each and every one of them. They bring a different joy to me, our relationship is continuously growing every day, talk to them every day. They put a smile on my face. That’s what I’m most thankful for, my family.”


Happy Thanksgiving from the KSR family to yours!

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2024-03-27