NEW YORK - Daniel Orton will play for Kentucky next year, and he believes there’s no telling how far the ‘Cats can go.
The 6-foot-10, 260-pound center from Oklahoma City (OK) Bishop McGuinness said Thursday at the Jordan Brand Classic practice that he would remain at Kentucky despite the recent coaching change.
“I’m still at Kentucky, I’m still at Kentucky,” said Orton, the No. 4 center in the Class of 2009. “I’m going to stay here.”
When asked if he ever considered leaving after John Calipari took over for the fired Billy Gillispie, Orton said, “There was that time that from when Coach G got fired, I was little frustrated with everything. There was a thought of having to go back through the recruiting process, which is a little stressful. But I just kind of dealt with it all.”
In the end, he opted to stay with Calipari: “Coach Cal’s a great guy and he just seems like a great coach,” Orton said.
At Kentucky Orton will play alongside DeMarcus Cousins, the 6-10, 270-pound Kentucky signee from LeFlore (Ala.) High. Cousins initially verballed to Memphis and then picked Kentucky after Calipari changed jobs.
Calipari will have no shortage of quality big men, especially if Patrick Patterson does not leave for the NBA. He is testing the waters but has not signed with an agent. Somehow the coach will have to find minutes for all these big guys, but Orton says he’s not worried.
“I figure you can’t go wrong, two good players,” Orton said. “I am [excited about playing with DeMarcus]. It’s going to be fun, especially if Patrick Patterson stays, which I think he will.”
Cousins is actively working on both Xavier Henry and John Wall to join them at Kentucky. Both players are among the top five in the nation and have yet to settle on a final school.
“Theyr’e just laughing at everything we say, not taking anything too serious,” Orton said of Wall and Henry.
“It’s stressful,” Orton said of the recruiting process. “I’ve been through the process before. Going through it again, I couldn’t imagine. For Xavier and John Wall, they’ve been through it all, I wouldn’t’ even want to be in [their] shoes right now.”
How good can Kentucky be with Orton and Cousins, and potentially Patterson, Jodie Meeks and maybe even Henry or Wall?
“Final Four,” Cousins said emphatically.
“There’s no telling right now,” Orton added. “Just wait and see.”
