Kentucky freshman guard will need no coaxing to play defense: ‘I love it’

When asked what players may come to mind when the Big Blue Nation watches him play next season, freshman Cason Wallace mentioned two familiar names.

“I hear Eric Bledsoe and Jimmy Butler pretty often,” he said Thursday.

Of course, the former played for Kentucky in John Calipari’s first season as coach (2009-10), while the latter is a six-time NBA All-Star.

“So, I feel those are two good comparisons,” Wallace said. “They’re bigger guards. They play on both ends of the court and they’re both winners.”

It did not sound coincidental that Butler has been named to the NBA’s All-Defensive Team five times.

When Wallace was asked how he felt about playing defense, he said, “I love it. It’s really what sets people apart. If playing defense sets me apart from the next best players, that’s what I want to do.”

Of course, Calipari stresses the importance of defense. He has linked defending to playing time.

In his short time on campus, Wallace has picked up on this.

“He takes a lot of pride in defense,” the freshman said of UK’s coach. “If we’re not picking up or we’re not playing with intensity, he’s going to stop us and call us out. Like, yo, tighten up.”

Wallace credited his father, Mike Wallace, for instilling an appreciation for playing defense.

“My dad at a young age told me it was a will to want to,” he said. “And he also told me it’s what sets people apart. Everybody knows how to score. Eventually, everybody is going to know how to score at the next level. So, if you know how to score and play defense, you’ll be one of the better players.”

Mike Wallace played football, basketball and ran track as a high school athlete, his son said. His mother’s side of the family has athletic genes to pass along, he said. Cousin Terrel Harris played for two NBA teams (Miami and New Orleans) plus in France, Germany and Israel.

Though a 6-foot-4 guard, Wallace has gained a reputation for blocking shots. He was asked about coming from behind and blocking a layup attempt from an unsuspecting shooter.

“I feel I’m pretty athletic, so I like to show that …,” he said. “If blocking shots helps us win, that’s what I’m going to do.”

Wallace was a five-star prospect and McDonald’s All-American as a high school player in Dallas. As a senior, he averaged 19.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 6.1 assists.

He said he’s comfortable playing point guard or shooting guard.

Playing in the same backcourt as Sahvir Wheeler, who has led the Southeastern Conference in assists the past two seasons, suggests a primary role off the ball. Wallace sounded accepting of that role.

“I love the way he plays,” he said of Wheeler. “He picks the pace up (down) the court. It will force everybody else to get up and down. That’s how we want to play this year. So, ‘Sah’ being on the ball will be good for us.”

Wheeler and Oscar Tshiebwe, the pillars upon which Kentucky built its team last season, have made an impression already.

Wallace saluted Tshiebwe’s presence on and off the court.

“He goes after every rebound,” the freshman said with a chuckle before adding, “as you all probably know.

“Off the court, he is very humble. Nice guy. You could just go talk to him about anything.”

Of Wheeler’s speed in practice, Wallace said, “He’s going the full length of the court, literally being behind everybody and beating everybody to the rim.”

Wallace envisioned good things to come as defense leads to transition scores.

“We’re athletic,” he said. “We have length. So, getting out running, hopefully, we can get a few highlights this year. It’ll be fun.”

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