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Keion Brooks Jr.’s HS coach stresses patience with his former player: “Coach Calipari is in the Hall of Fame for a reason”

Like most players in their first year playing college basketball, Kentucky freshman forward Keion Brooks Jr. has experienced his fair share of ups and downs to start the season. While he has finished in double figures four times, pulled down four-plus rebounds nine times, and blocked at least one shot in seven games, he has also managed just five points or less nine times, finished with two rebounds or less six times, and played 15 minutes or less eight times.

After several weeks of inconsistent play and streaks of minimal playing time, though, UK associate head coach Kenny Payne made a crucial decision to close out the game at Arkansas with Brooks in thew lineup.