Killeya-Jones Earns His March Moment

Sacha Killeya-Jones was not even the star of his own highlight.

The Kentucky sophomore finished an alley-oop, arching his back in the air and flushing the ball with two hands while getting fouled. It was the latest big play for Killeya-Jones in the best seven-day stretch of his career.

But as he high-five teammates, the television camera focused over his shoulder at sophomore band member Hayden Hooper celebrating and flexing in the first row of the stands. An overnight sensation was born.

“I saw the video of the guy in the band. That was funny,” Killeya-Jones said Friday.

Rise up and get it! ??#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/82uaOj2K07

— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 16, 2018

 The moment between Killeya-Jones and the viral baritonist is oddly emblematic of one of the challenges of playing at Kentucky. For some, notoriety seems to find them in an instant. For others, like Killeya Jones, it takes a winding path to get there. As John Calipari likes to say, each player has his own timeline.

It can be a test of patience and perseverance.

Consider that in the three weeks leading up to the SEC Tournament, Killeya-Jones had as many field goals – two – as he did games in which he never got off the bench.

But he persevered, a few minutes at a time.

Beginning against Georgia in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals, he earned eleven minutes, his most in over a month. The following day, he got five more minutes – up to 16 – against Alabama in the semifinals. The next day yielded four more minutes – up to 20 minutes – against Tennessee in the championship.

Thursday against Davidson it was four more minutes, totaling 24 minutes, his most playing time since November. More importantly, his eight points and six rebounds were his best outputs in both categories since before conference play.

“Sacha just had to wait his turn, and he was ready for it,” John Calipari said after the SEC Tournament championship game against Tennessee, when Killeya-Jones was on the floor late as Kentucky closed out the win.

Calipari often has a short fuse and a quick hook with his reserves. Every opportunity to get on the floor must be earned and a return trip to the bench often is one mistake away.

Killeya-Jones knows the look.

“His hair starts to get messed up and he’s shaking and yelling and everything,” Killeya Jones said.

He also knows how to respond to it.

“It doesn’t affect me personally,” Killeya-Jones said. “I’ve heard it for two years and I know it sounds crazy but it’s all positive reinforcement. He just wants you to do well and wants the best for the team.”

Watch a second view of Killeya-Jones’ dunk against Davidson – from the camera pointed away from the band – and you’ll see another GIF-able reaction. It is Calipari leaping in the air, celebrating as Killeya-Jones throws it down.

Killeya-Jones likely is not as familiar with that kind of expression from Calipari. But if he keeps persevering, that

may change.

“It’s always good to see when Cal gets excited on the sideline,” he said. “It was cool.”