Press Conference Quotes – Dec. 15
Randolph Morris
Opening Statement?
?I?d like to begin by apologizing to Coach [Tubby] Smith and his coaching staff, my teammates, the University and also the fans. Many people at UK have stood behind me and have made my return possible. Coach Smith has always been very supportive of me as a player and as a person. I appreciate that he has allowed me to come back and be a member of this team. I am fortunate to have him as a coach. [Athletics Director] Mitch Barnhart and [Associate Athletics Director for Compliance] Sandy Bell kept me informed and watched out for my best interest over this reinstatement. I can?t thank them enough for all of the hard work they have put into this. It was all in my intention to take the steps necessary to protect my eligibility. I appreciate the NCAA for taking that into consideration when reconsidering my case. In exploring my NBA options, I made poor choices. Those choices included accepting bad advice while putting distance between me and my coaches and teammates at UK. I take full responsibility for those actions. It wasn?t obvious to me as I was going through this process, but looking back, I now see how my actions were disrespectful to Coach Smith and the University of Kentucky. Playing basketball at the University of Kentucky is a privilege that few athletes get to enjoy. I intend to make the most of this opportunity to be a part of the greatest basketball program in America.?
On how his game has improved since last season?
?I think my game improved drastically over the summer and in the preseason. I lost some weight and I have gotten stronger. I look forward to getting back on the court.?
On when he first heard of his reinstatement?
?Coach [Tubby Smith] told me this morning. We laughed a little and high-fived over it. It took a lot of pressure off of me and I am just happy to be playing basketball at the University of Kentucky.?
On whether he sees being withheld for 14 games by the NCAA as a fair decision ?
?I think it?s very fair. I?m just happy that I have the opportunity to play this season.?
On his future intentions?
?First and foremost, I want to graduate and get a degree from the University of Kentucky. I want to be able to help the team in any way that I can.?
On what he learned from the reinstatement process?
?Where do I start? There are so many things. I think I basically learned to be wise about who you trust and associate with. It?s also important that you don?t burn bridges.?
On the team accepting him back this summer?
?There was never any uneasiness. Everybody really welcomed me back with open arms.?
Head Coach Tubby Smith
On the NCAAs decision regarding Randolph Morris?.
?I think we all realize how important it is as a program to do the right things and certainly Randolph had done the right things throughout this whole (reinstatement) process. We appreciate NCAA reconsidering this situation and changing their decision based on the additional information. I think the additional information was critical to their decision. We would like to thank Sandy Bell and Mitch Barnhart. They really stepped up and worked extremely hard throughout this process. I thank Randolph because he has been a model student-athlete. Based on all the information we had and all the extenuating circumstances both Randolph and we have been very patient waiting for this opportunity. I?m very happy for Randolph, his family and our basketball program.?
On how finding the fax from Randolph came about?
?I had lost papers on a plane and I have been looking for them for some time. If I would have known how important those papers were I would have held on to them more tightly. Somebody must have realized what was in the papers and sent them back to us. If you travel as much as I do you can sometimes loose papers when you travel. Sandy Bell told me if I could find those papers that it would really help. I went back found them last week. Thank God I found the papers and we were able to work things out.?
On the early Christmas gift of getting Randolph back on the team?.
?Christmas means a lot of things. Christmas means to me a time for giving and sharing. Any time you can help a young person overcome any type of obstacles or adversity at this time of year, that?s what it is all about. We appreciate (NCAA President) Dr. Brand stepping in and showing the willingness to step in and be a voice of reason.?
On the fairness of Randolph?s 14-game suspension?
?I think it?s very fair. I thought the original decision was very harsh. Now that they have reversed it, I think it?s fair.?
On how Randolph Morris has looked in practice?
?He?s been excellent. He?s progressing really well. Randolph is a very talented player. He?s trimmed down a lot. His attitude has been very good.We have never had one problem with him on or off the court this year. He has been a role model student in the classroom since he?s been here and the same on the court. Coming back, he has been more focused than ever to prove he deserves another chance.?
On how hard it was to decide to let Randolph Morris back on the team?
?It was tough. First you have to weigh how is this going to affect the team. Then you say ?here is a young man that is showing remorse and wants to come back to the team?. I?m glad he made that call to me and that his parents and everyone realized that this is a great opportunity here at Kentucky.?
