Thursday, October 21, 1999
Prince go-to guy for UK?
Tubby expects sophomore to step up
BY NEIL SCHMIDT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEXINGTON, Ky. — The best indication of Kentucky's youth movement: UK probably will entrust its scoring load to a 19-year-old sophomore.
We have seen the future, and he is freckled.
“Not a lot of teams have to go through what we're going through, being so young,” Tayshaun Prince said. “The coaches are looking for me to be a leader, and I hope I can be what they need.”
Prince, a silky southpaw, was hailed this time last year by coach Tubby Smith as “probably the most heralded player I've ever recruited.” The 6-foot-9, 215-pound McDonald's All-American from Compton, Calif., could play small forward or shooting guard.
But he played only 20 minutes a game last year, struggling with growing pains not unlike those Tom Hanks suffered in Big.
“I had gained 30 pounds in a year (since high school) to bulk up, but everything slowed down last year by being heavier,” Prince said. “I think it was a case of just getting used to my body. I wasn't myself.”
Prince averaged 5.8 points and 3.8 rebounds a game, which makes him the second-leading returnee in both categories behind senior center Jamaal Magloire (7.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg). But Prince was erratic, shooting only 28.7 percent from 3-point range and losing the starting job at shooting guard.
He bloomed late, though, having his best game when UK needed it most. He tied for the scoring lead with 12 points in the Elite Eight loss to Michigan State, totaling 3-for-3 shooting, 4-for-4 foul shooting, two rebounds, an assist, a blocked shot and no turnovers.
“The way he finished against Michigan State gave him confidence to know he has arrived and that he can do a lot more,” Smith said.
Prince was disconsolate in the locker room, the only Wildcat still sniffling an hour after the loss. Smith said Prince is perhaps the most sensitive player on the team.
“(Losing) was very painful, but we've got to take that as a learning experience,” Prince said. “We've got to take that game and keep it in mind all this year.”
Smith called Prince his most versatile player and said the sophomore could play all five positions. But he'll probably see 30-35 minutes a game at small forward, since there's no true backup at that spot.
With a 7-foot wingspan and soft shooting touch, Prince is a baby-faced assassin in the mold of Derek Anderson.
“I keep going back to his physical maturation,” Smith said. “He always had the game and the skills. Now he's got the strength factor to go inside.
“He'll be asked to do a lot more. His ability to handle the ball on the perimeter will take the pressure off the guards. And Tayshaun always surprises me with his ability to guard so many different-sized players. That's a real dimension.”
Prince weighs the same as last season, but it's a more muscular, defined 215 pounds.
Smith spoke of Prince when discussing the team's probable top scorers, and most media members pick Prince as this season's star.
“I feel stronger, more ready to go in and rebound and help out in other ways, too,” Prince said. “I don't know if (the scoring leader) will be me, Jam (Magloire) or Desmond (Allison). I know we'll all have to pick up the slack.”
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