"Where are they now" is a series in which we at KSR get in contact with former players and ask them questions about their time at Kentucky, what they've been up to since they played, and find out about things they are currently involved in.
As a kid growing up in Edmonton, Kentucky,
J.P Blevins probably never dreamed he would one day be more popular than the Kentucky Headhunters (country music sensations from Edmonton). But when he signed to play basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats, that all changed. Forget the fact that the Kentucky Headhunters are listed on Edmonton's Wikipedia page and J.P. isn't, if you ask me about the most famous Edmonton native I'll assume you're talking about J.P Blevins.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW: J.P. Blevins
In third grade J.P. knew basketball was what he wanted to do. He also knew he wanted to play for the University of Kentucky. He worked everyday after school to get better to reach that goal.
"Basketball was all I thought about," he said. In seventh grade, he joined the high school varsity team and was the first guy off the bench. In eighth grade, he started at point guard and
averaged 19 points a game. Newspapers took notice as his coach let him play pretty freely. Gyms all across south central Kentucky were packed. People wanted to see what this "kid" could do.
His freshman year he averaged 23 points per game. College coaches began to take notice and his recruitment began to gather steam. In the summer between his freshman and sophomore year of high school, Kentucky contacted him for first time. He went to national camps that summer and had a great camp in Pittsburgh. He was named MVP of the All Star game and the camp director, a friend of Pitino, told Rick he needed to go watch.
J.P. started going to UK camp in fourth grade, Pitino's first year. Like most kids in Kentucky at that time, Rick's style of play really appealed to J.P. and he became a die hard Cat fan. When Pitino came and watched him a few times his junior year, it was a big deal.
Around Christmas of his junior year he said his dad called him and said "Come up to my office, you've got a message to call Rick." Like any high school kid in Kentucky who had a message from Rick Pitino, J.P. hurried up to his dad's office to return the phone call. During the phone call, Rick offers a scholarship.
"I immediately accepted."
"The thing I remember most about that moment is just being there with my dad.
When I got off the phone I said 'Kentucky just offered me a scholarship.' My dad says "Are you sure you heard him right?' My dad had helped me so much in my development and gave me every opportunity to get better. I lost my dad six years ago, and that is one moment with him that will always stick with me."
Q & A
AF: Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. Let's start out with the main point of this interview: where are you now and what you are doing?
JPB: I live in Wilmington, NC. My backdoor is 30 yards from the beach. Wilmington is located in the southernmost tip of North Carolina. After school I stayed around Lexington for a little while, but two years ago one of my best friend's Dad started a bank called Live Oak Bank in Wilmington. I never thought I'd leave Kentucky, but they gave me a fantastic job opportunity that included investing in the bank and I couldn’t turn it down. I am now a loan officer at Live Oak Bank. I lend money to dentists who are starting practices or expanding their practice. Our bank as a whole does commercial financing for several medical industires but my main focus is on dentists. I miss Kentucky, but it's pretty good consolation to look out your back door and see the beach.
AF: Do you still watch games and follow the team closely? Have you been to any games recently?
JPB: Definitely. I'm still a big fan. In fact, I'm about to settle in and watch this McDonalds game.
(Editors note: This interview was conducted Wednesday, April 3rd). There are four or five big Kentucky fans that work at the bank, which is good because there are Tarheels all around us. Occasionally we don't get games because of regional coverage, but that's rare. As far as going to games, I've only been back to Rupp once in the past couple of years, but I have gone to the Champions Classic in Madison Square Garden and Atlanta. I don't get back as much as I like, but it's still really special to go to Rupp.
AF: Do you still keep in touch with the guys you played with?
JPB: You're closest with the guys who were in your class and maybe one class below. I still keep in touch with Tayshaun (Prince). I've gotten to go to a couple of his games.
I caught up with Tayshaun and Keith Bogans a fews weeks ago in Brooklyn when the Nets played the Grizzlies, actually.
I was roommates with Todd Tacket. Even though he ended up leaving to pursue baseball we were pretty close.
Also, all the guys from Kentucky who play at Kentucky share a unique bond. Ravi Moss, Matt Heisenbuttel, Josh Carrier, Brandon Stockton, and Bobby Perry are all good friends. Bobby isn't from Kentucky but we became close friends after he stuck around after school.
It's always great to run into anyone you played with, but you have closer relationships with some than you do with others.
AF: I'm sure not too many people in North Carolina recognize you, but when you are back in Kentucky do people still know you're J.P. Blevins, former Kentucky Wildcat?
JPB: Right out of school they did, but I knew it was all over a few years ago when I was in a Walmart in Campbellsville. A lady walked up to me and said
"you look a lot like J.P. Blevins?" I said
"Yes ma'am, that's my name."
She appeared startled and said
"YOU MEAN YOU HAVE THE SAME NAME AS HIM TOO?!?" That's when I knew my so-called "fame" was over.
AF: Let's shift gears a little and talk about your time at Kentucky. What happened when Pitino left and Tubby took over? Did Tubby have to "re-recruit" you?
JPB: To be completely honest, when Rick left to go to Boston I was CRUSHED. Kentucky fans were crushed, and I know because I was a Kentucky fan. But it was even tougher for me because
I was really looking forward to playing for Rick so it was magnified for me. I didn't know what Tubby was going to do. Tubby had recruited me at Georgia. Sean Finney had been to watch me, so there was some familiarity. They came back out and watched again. They said they knew I committed to Rick but they still wanted me. My dream had always been to wear the Kentucky jersey and I was comfortable with Tubby so I stayed committed.
AF: How big was the adjustment from high school to college for you on both a personal and basketball level?
JPB: On a personal level, basketball players go through the same adjustments as normal college students, but in my case it wasn't a huge adjustment. I was still two hours from home and had friends at UK already. For guys like Tayshaun, who came to Lexington from Compton, the adjustment is a little tougher. As far as the basketball adjustment, the first thing you notice is that the speed of the game is totally different. Passes you made in high school are getting tipped.
You're getting bumped by Wayne Turner instead of a kid from Edmonson County. You have to get your shot off quicker. Finishing in the paint is different. In high school you're trying to score over guys that are 6'3". In college those guys are 6'10". It's an initial shock, but you adjust to it and you're fine.
AF: What was the best team you were on at Kentucky?
JPB: Most people would expect me to say the team from my freshman year that had Heshimu Evans, Scott Padgett, and Wayne Turner that lost to eventual champion Michigan State in the Elite 8.
But to be honest, the team that I thought was going to do the most damage was our team my senior year in 2001-2002. Jason Parker was killing people in the paint during the summer. He was a beast. Then he tore his ACL and things didn't end up going like we had planned. We ended up as Team Turmoil. But that team was great.
It was the same core of the team that went undefeated in the SEC the following year. Imagine adding Tayshaun and a healthy Jason Parker to that team.
AF: What are your best memories of your four years playing basketball at UK?
JPB: My sophomore year against Michigan State they came in ranked #1 and they were the defending champs. I think I hit 4 threes in the game and I hit a 3 in the last minute to put us ahead for good.
You always dream about making big shots, so that was really special. It was right around Christmas time, so I got to go home for about four days and celebrate that time with my family.
And as is the case for everyone who does it,
Senior Day was very special. Standing out there at center court with my family and realizing the thing I had worked for and dreamed about since 3rd grade (playing for Kentucky) had actually happened was a moment I'll never forget. My dream had come full circle. I look over and my brothers, who had pushed me and made me tough, are there. My Dad, who had supported me all the way, was there. My Mom was there. All the people that helped me the most were out there with me. Despite the roller coaster career I had, it was really special. I'll never forget the feeling standing there with my family and the band playing My Old Kentucky Home. It made my knees shake.
AF: That's awesome. Senior night at Glasgow High School didn't stir up those same emotions for me. We had 6 seniors and I didn't even get to start. I had to start at a road game at Cumberland County. But whatever. I'm not bitter, I swear.
Moving along... I know there are lots of stories you probably can't tell, but is there a funny story you can tell about yourself or one of your teammates?
JPB: Yeah I've got three for you. Two about Gerald Fitch and one is about being in the locker room after a home loss to Tennessee.
(read the stories and the rest of the interview after the jump)
Story 1:
Everyday after practice you huddle up and coach talks and then you go back to the lodge. Coach always had a theme for practice. The theme this day was "No Days Off." We were all just wanting to get out of there and go eat, but Tubby starts talking about his father.
Tubby says: "Guys, the state of Maryland just honored my father. My father was a bus driver. Can you think of any reason why the state of Maryland would honor my father, a bus driver?
After a couple moments of silence, Gerald has it figured out and decides to speak up.
Gerald: "Uh Coach, was it for picking up the most kids?"
Tubby: "No Gerald. No. It's because he hasn't missed a days work in 35 years. No days off!"
Story 2:
We were on the bus headed to play Vandy. We were watching "Pearl Harbor" on the bus. We're at the part where the Kamikaze pilots are bombing Pearl Harbor. Gerald, who was sitting in front of me, turns around and says
"Damn dude did we get these guys back for this!?"
Story 3:
My freshman year we got beat at home by Tennessee and had basically been booed off the court. We got embarrassed. I'm a freshman, I didn't play at all. I am still trying to figure Tubby out, but I know something bad is coming. Tubby goes to the chalkboard. He's pacing back and forth. FUMING. He starts mumbling to himself, something like "yeah I know what the problem is, I know. I got these boys figured out."
He then grabs the markers, looks up and yells "I know what it is! Coach Sutton, I got it figured out!
These boys got it too damn good! You know what!? NO MORE FOOD!!" It was at this point that he began throwing our post game meal (philly cheese steaks) out the locker room door. I'd had many punishments for bad play, but "no food" was a new one.
AF: Who is the best player you ever played against?
JPB: Jason Williams, the one from Duke. He scored 41 on us in the Meadowlands. I knew when I tried to guard him that he was the best I'd ever played. He was strong and fast. He had it all. He could shoot over you or go dunk on you. It's a real shame he didn't get to have a pro career.
AF: Who is the best player you ever played with?
JPB: Has to be Tayshaun Prince considering what he did at Kentucky and the fact that he won both an NBA title and a gold medal. However, I'll give Wayne Turner an honorable mention. Playing against him in practice was no treat.
AF: I heard from a mutual friend that you were quite the golfer in high school. Is this true?
JPB: You were lied to. I do enjoy playing though. I'm probably about a 10-12 handicap, which I don't consider very good.
AF: Talk about the number 2,996.
JPB: I assume that is in reference to how many points I scored in high school. It's a sore subject. I missed most of the season my sophomore year with mono, or I would've gotten 3,000. My friends like to joke about it. Me? Not so much.
AF: Basketball was obviously a major part of your life. Are you still involved in basketball at all?
JPB: I come back every summer and do a camp in Lexington at LCA. It's a Monday thru Thursday deal and we have over 100 kids. It's fun to do basketball stuff and come home to see friends and family. Richard Grier helps me with it. I coached a little 7th and 8th grade at LCA when I first got out of school, but I realized pretty early on coaching wasn't something I wanted to do for a long time.
AF: Do you ever play anymore? Rec leagues or pick up?
JPB: Let me put it this way. If you've got nine and need one more, don't call me. I might play once or twice a year, but I pretty much hung the shoes up after college. I enjoy excercising and staying in shape but I'd rather do it running, playing flag football, or playing golf.
(The most recent picture I could find of J.P. playing basketball)
AF: That's all I've got for you. I appreciate you taking the time and opening up. Hope to see you around in the future.
JPB: Enjoyed talking with you. Thanks for having me.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J.P. mentioned his basketball camp during the interview. This year will be the 6th year for the camp. If you or someone you know has kids that would be interested in going, the dates are July 22nd-July 25th. The camp will be held at Lexington Christian Academy. For more information visit
www.gettheedgebasketball.com.
You can follow J.P. on twitter @JP_Blevins.
If you're a former player who would be willing to share what you are up to with KSR, email me at
[email protected]. I speak for myself and the fans when I say we'd love to hear from you.
Thanks again to J.P. Go Live Oak Bank!!
@AFlenerKSR
As a kid growing up in Edmonton, Kentucky, J.P Blevins probably never dreamed he would one day be more popular than the Kentucky Headhunters (country music sensations from Edmonton). But when he signed to play basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats, that all changed. Forget the fact that the Kentucky Headhunters are listed on Edmonton's Wikipedia page and J.P. isn't, if you ask me about the most famous Edmonton native I'll assume you're talking about J.P Blevins.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW: J.P. Blevins
In third grade J.P. knew basketball was what he wanted to do. He also knew he wanted to play for the University of Kentucky. He worked everyday after school to get better to reach that goal. "Basketball was all I thought about," he said. In seventh grade, he joined the high school varsity team and was the first guy off the bench. In eighth grade, he started at point guard and averaged 19 points a game. Newspapers took notice as his coach let him play pretty freely. Gyms all across south central Kentucky were packed. People wanted to see what this "kid" could do.
His freshman year he averaged 23 points per game. College coaches began to take notice and his recruitment began to gather steam. In the summer between his freshman and sophomore year of high school, Kentucky contacted him for first time. He went to national camps that summer and had a great camp in Pittsburgh. He was named MVP of the All Star game and the camp director, a friend of Pitino, told Rick he needed to go watch.
J.P. started going to UK camp in fourth grade, Pitino's first year. Like most kids in Kentucky at that time, Rick's style of play really appealed to J.P. and he became a die hard Cat fan. When Pitino came and watched him a few times his junior year, it was a big deal.
Around Christmas of his junior year he said his dad called him and said "Come up to my office, you've got a message to call Rick." Like any high school kid in Kentucky who had a message from Rick Pitino, J.P. hurried up to his dad's office to return the phone call. During the phone call, Rick offers a scholarship. "I immediately accepted."
"The thing I remember most about that moment is just being there with my dad. When I got off the phone I said 'Kentucky just offered me a scholarship.' My dad says "Are you sure you heard him right?' My dad had helped me so much in my development and gave me every opportunity to get better. I lost my dad six years ago, and that is one moment with him that will always stick with me."
Q & A
AF: Thanks for taking the time to talk with me. Let's start out with the main point of this interview: where are you now and what you are doing?
JPB: I live in Wilmington, NC. My backdoor is 30 yards from the beach. Wilmington is located in the southernmost tip of North Carolina. After school I stayed around Lexington for a little while, but two years ago one of my best friend's Dad started a bank called Live Oak Bank in Wilmington. I never thought I'd leave Kentucky, but they gave me a fantastic job opportunity that included investing in the bank and I couldn’t turn it down. I am now a loan officer at Live Oak Bank. I lend money to dentists who are starting practices or expanding their practice. Our bank as a whole does commercial financing for several medical industires but my main focus is on dentists. I miss Kentucky, but it's pretty good consolation to look out your back door and see the beach.
AF: Do you still watch games and follow the team closely? Have you been to any games recently?
JPB: Definitely. I'm still a big fan. In fact, I'm about to settle in and watch this McDonalds game. (Editors note: This interview was conducted Wednesday, April 3rd). There are four or five big Kentucky fans that work at the bank, which is good because there are Tarheels all around us. Occasionally we don't get games because of regional coverage, but that's rare. As far as going to games, I've only been back to Rupp once in the past couple of years, but I have gone to the Champions Classic in Madison Square Garden and Atlanta. I don't get back as much as I like, but it's still really special to go to Rupp.
AF: Do you still keep in touch with the guys you played with?
JPB: You're closest with the guys who were in your class and maybe one class below. I still keep in touch with Tayshaun (Prince). I've gotten to go to a couple of his games. I caught up with Tayshaun and Keith Bogans a fews weeks ago in Brooklyn when the Nets played the Grizzlies, actually.
I was roommates with Todd Tacket. Even though he ended up leaving to pursue baseball we were pretty close.
Also, all the guys from Kentucky who play at Kentucky share a unique bond. Ravi Moss, Matt Heisenbuttel, Josh Carrier, Brandon Stockton, and Bobby Perry are all good friends. Bobby isn't from Kentucky but we became close friends after he stuck around after school.
It's always great to run into anyone you played with, but you have closer relationships with some than you do with others.
AF: I'm sure not too many people in North Carolina recognize you, but when you are back in Kentucky do people still know you're J.P. Blevins, former Kentucky Wildcat?
JPB: Right out of school they did, but I knew it was all over a few years ago when I was in a Walmart in Campbellsville. A lady walked up to me and said "you look a lot like J.P. Blevins?" I said "Yes ma'am, that's my name."
She appeared startled and said "YOU MEAN YOU HAVE THE SAME NAME AS HIM TOO?!?" That's when I knew my so-called "fame" was over.
AF: Let's shift gears a little and talk about your time at Kentucky. What happened when Pitino left and Tubby took over? Did Tubby have to "re-recruit" you?
JPB: To be completely honest, when Rick left to go to Boston I was CRUSHED. Kentucky fans were crushed, and I know because I was a Kentucky fan. But it was even tougher for me because I was really looking forward to playing for Rick so it was magnified for me. I didn't know what Tubby was going to do. Tubby had recruited me at Georgia. Sean Finney had been to watch me, so there was some familiarity. They came back out and watched again. They said they knew I committed to Rick but they still wanted me. My dream had always been to wear the Kentucky jersey and I was comfortable with Tubby so I stayed committed.
AF: How big was the adjustment from high school to college for you on both a personal and basketball level?
JPB: On a personal level, basketball players go through the same adjustments as normal college students, but in my case it wasn't a huge adjustment. I was still two hours from home and had friends at UK already. For guys like Tayshaun, who came to Lexington from Compton, the adjustment is a little tougher. As far as the basketball adjustment, the first thing you notice is that the speed of the game is totally different. Passes you made in high school are getting tipped. You're getting bumped by Wayne Turner instead of a kid from Edmonson County. You have to get your shot off quicker. Finishing in the paint is different. In high school you're trying to score over guys that are 6'3". In college those guys are 6'10". It's an initial shock, but you adjust to it and you're fine.
AF: What was the best team you were on at Kentucky?
JPB: Most people would expect me to say the team from my freshman year that had Heshimu Evans, Scott Padgett, and Wayne Turner that lost to eventual champion Michigan State in the Elite 8.
But to be honest, the team that I thought was going to do the most damage was our team my senior year in 2001-2002. Jason Parker was killing people in the paint during the summer. He was a beast. Then he tore his ACL and things didn't end up going like we had planned. We ended up as Team Turmoil. But that team was great. It was the same core of the team that went undefeated in the SEC the following year. Imagine adding Tayshaun and a healthy Jason Parker to that team.
AF: What are your best memories of your four years playing basketball at UK?
JPB: My sophomore year against Michigan State they came in ranked #1 and they were the defending champs. I think I hit 4 threes in the game and I hit a 3 in the last minute to put us ahead for good. You always dream about making big shots, so that was really special. It was right around Christmas time, so I got to go home for about four days and celebrate that time with my family.
And as is the case for everyone who does it, Senior Day was very special. Standing out there at center court with my family and realizing the thing I had worked for and dreamed about since 3rd grade (playing for Kentucky) had actually happened was a moment I'll never forget. My dream had come full circle. I look over and my brothers, who had pushed me and made me tough, are there. My Dad, who had supported me all the way, was there. My Mom was there. All the people that helped me the most were out there with me. Despite the roller coaster career I had, it was really special. I'll never forget the feeling standing there with my family and the band playing My Old Kentucky Home. It made my knees shake.
AF: That's awesome. Senior night at Glasgow High School didn't stir up those same emotions for me. We had 6 seniors and I didn't even get to start. I had to start at a road game at Cumberland County. But whatever. I'm not bitter, I swear.
Moving along... I know there are lots of stories you probably can't tell, but is there a funny story you can tell about yourself or one of your teammates?
JPB: Yeah I've got three for you. Two about Gerald Fitch and one is about being in the locker room after a home loss to Tennessee.
(read the stories and the rest of the interview after the jump)
Story 1:
Everyday after practice you huddle up and coach talks and then you go back to the lodge. Coach always had a theme for practice. The theme this day was "No Days Off." We were all just wanting to get out of there and go eat, but Tubby starts talking about his father.
Tubby says: "Guys, the state of Maryland just honored my father. My father was a bus driver. Can you think of any reason why the state of Maryland would honor my father, a bus driver?
After a couple moments of silence, Gerald has it figured out and decides to speak up.
Gerald: "Uh Coach, was it for picking up the most kids?"
Tubby: "No Gerald. No. It's because he hasn't missed a days work in 35 years. No days off!"
Story 2:
We were on the bus headed to play Vandy. We were watching "Pearl Harbor" on the bus. We're at the part where the Kamikaze pilots are bombing Pearl Harbor. Gerald, who was sitting in front of me, turns around and says "Damn dude did we get these guys back for this!?"
Story 3:
My freshman year we got beat at home by Tennessee and had basically been booed off the court. We got embarrassed. I'm a freshman, I didn't play at all. I am still trying to figure Tubby out, but I know something bad is coming. Tubby goes to the chalkboard. He's pacing back and forth. FUMING. He starts mumbling to himself, something like "yeah I know what the problem is, I know. I got these boys figured out."
He then grabs the markers, looks up and yells "I know what it is! Coach Sutton, I got it figured out! These boys got it too damn good! You know what!? NO MORE FOOD!!" It was at this point that he began throwing our post game meal (philly cheese steaks) out the locker room door. I'd had many punishments for bad play, but "no food" was a new one.
AF: Who is the best player you ever played against?
JPB: Jason Williams, the one from Duke. He scored 41 on us in the Meadowlands. I knew when I tried to guard him that he was the best I'd ever played. He was strong and fast. He had it all. He could shoot over you or go dunk on you. It's a real shame he didn't get to have a pro career.
AF: Who is the best player you ever played with?
JPB: Has to be Tayshaun Prince considering what he did at Kentucky and the fact that he won both an NBA title and a gold medal. However, I'll give Wayne Turner an honorable mention. Playing against him in practice was no treat.
AF: I heard from a mutual friend that you were quite the golfer in high school. Is this true?
JPB: You were lied to. I do enjoy playing though. I'm probably about a 10-12 handicap, which I don't consider very good.
AF: Talk about the number 2,996.
JPB: I assume that is in reference to how many points I scored in high school. It's a sore subject. I missed most of the season my sophomore year with mono, or I would've gotten 3,000. My friends like to joke about it. Me? Not so much.
AF: Basketball was obviously a major part of your life. Are you still involved in basketball at all?
JPB: I come back every summer and do a camp in Lexington at LCA. It's a Monday thru Thursday deal and we have over 100 kids. It's fun to do basketball stuff and come home to see friends and family. Richard Grier helps me with it. I coached a little 7th and 8th grade at LCA when I first got out of school, but I realized pretty early on coaching wasn't something I wanted to do for a long time.
AF: Do you ever play anymore? Rec leagues or pick up?
JPB: Let me put it this way. If you've got nine and need one more, don't call me. I might play once or twice a year, but I pretty much hung the shoes up after college. I enjoy excercising and staying in shape but I'd rather do it running, playing flag football, or playing golf.
(The most recent picture I could find of J.P. playing basketball)
AF: That's all I've got for you. I appreciate you taking the time and opening up. Hope to see you around in the future.
JPB: Enjoyed talking with you. Thanks for having me.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
J.P. mentioned his basketball camp during the interview. This year will be the 6th year for the camp. If you or someone you know has kids that would be interested in going, the dates are July 22nd-July 25th. The camp will be held at Lexington Christian Academy. For more information visit www.gettheedgebasketball.com. You can follow J.P. on twitter @JP_Blevins.
If you're a former player who would be willing to share what you are up to with KSR, email me at [email protected]. I speak for myself and the fans when I say we'd love to hear from you.
Thanks again to J.P. Go Live Oak Bank!!
@AFlenerKSR
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