By Neil Schmidt
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Steve Smith applauds from afar. The coach of Oak Hill (Va.) Academy said his former players, Jules Camara and Cliff Hawkins, have make Kentucky better by accepting being benched.

"I think both guys have found their niche," Smith said. "... They play hard and accept their roles."

Camara, a fifth-year senior, started 18 games last season but accepted a reserve role this season when Erik Daniels was inserted into the starting lineup Dec. 21.

"That's the sacrifice I have to make to be in the system," Camara said. "I understand those things."

He is averaging 18.5 minutes, up from 17.2 minutes last season. He's averaging 6.6 points, up from 6.1.

Hawkins was the starting point guard last season but lost the spot when he was academically ineligible this fall. His averages of 21.4 minutes and 6.3 points are down from last season (25.8, 7.1), yet he has 106 assists to 56 turnovers, a 1.89-to-1 ratio, compared to 1.43-to-1.

"One of the things (Coach) Tubby (Smith) says all the time is, `In order to have a team, everybody has to give up something they want for the benefit of the team,' " assistant coach David Hobbs said. "Those two guys, they are shining examples of that."