Leading up to Big Blue Madness, Metz Camfield and I will be posting a series of stories and videos featuring the 2010-11 Kentucky Wildcats. First up is Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.In the age of mix tapes and wall-to-wall coverage of prep basketball, there isn’t a top-rated high school prospect that steps on campus without an on-floor reputation that precedes him.Whether it was John Wall with his breath-taking speed and open floor ability, DeMarcus Cousins with his power in the post, Terrence Jones with his versatility or Brandon Knight with his shooting, Kentucky fans have had an idea of what they were getting in each of John Calipari’s first two recruiting classes based on highlight videos or games broadcast on television. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has a lot of those eye-catching skills that look nice when played over a hip-hop beat on YouTube, but he is his own breed among top-five prospects. It isn’t dunking, dribbling or scoring most associated with the forward from Somerdale, N.J.; it’s defense, effort and a team-first attitude.”I think I’m a leader and I love playing defense,” Kidd-Gilchrist said. “I think I will play a big role.”That kind of self-description doesn’t often come from a player billed by many as the best player in high school basketball for much of the past two years, but Kidd-Gilchrist always has been a bit different from his peers in that way. While many would have relished the attention and praise showered on him as he played his high school career at St. Patrick’s in Elizabeth, N.J., Kidd-Gilchrist would have preferred it some other way. “I didn’t like it, but I had to adjust to it fast so that’s what I did,” Kidd-Gilchrist said.Kidd-Gilchrist never allowed himself to be affected by notoriety, which he credited to the perspective he gained from dealing with more than his fair share of hard times.”I’ve been through a lot for one,” Kidd-Gilchrist said. “Two, I’m hungry. I’ve always been like that. I’m a team player.”Kidd-Gilchrist’s father and namesake, Michael Gilchrist Sr., died just before his son turned three. Kidd-Gilchrist’s uncle and surrogate father, Darrin Kidd, died of a heart attack the day Kidd-Gilchrist was slated to sign his Letter of Intent to play for UK. Kidd-Gilchrist has since changed his name to honor his late uncle.The death of his uncle happened during Kidd-Gilchrist’s senior year as cameras were following around he and his teammates documenting the season at St. Patrick’s. The documentary, Prayer for a Perfect Season, captures the Celtics’ quest for a national high school championship and an unbeaten season, while also featuring the personal struggles of the players and coaches. The film will capture Kidd-Gilchrist’s grieving process and he looks forward to people getting a chance to learn more about him as a person.”I just can’t wait,” Kidd-Gilchrist said of the film that will debut Tuesday Oct. 25, at 9 p.m. on HBO. “I’ve been through a lot and everybody’s going to see it. They’re going to see the ups and downs of life and me never giving up.”At Kidd-Gilchrist’s side throughout both the film and his life is his mother, Cynthia Richardson. Kidd-Gilchrist credits her and his family for helping him persevere through the trials he faced. When asked what he has misses most about home since arriving on UK’s campus, Kidd-Gilchrist was barely able to wait until the end of the question to answer ,”My mom.””She’s everything to me,” Kidd-Gilchrist said. “She’s always there.”Kidd-Gilchrist admits that being away from his mother and his home has not been easy, but he reports his new teammates are now like family to him and have helped him adjust to his new life.”Yeah, they have,” Kidd-Gilchrist said. “I’m the youngest one on the team. I get homesick, but being around all of them helps a lot.”Fortunately, Kidd-Gilchrist will get to see plenty of his mother and family during the season, as they are planning to travel to many of his games. They will get to see their beloved Mike play a role normally reserved for a veteran. Junior DeAndre Liggins was the player on last year’s team known for inspiring his teammates with effort and determination, but Calipari sees Kidd-Gilchrist stepping into that role immediately.”I’ve never seen him go anything but absolutely all out,” Calipari said. “What will happen is he’ll either take over practices or guys will try to step up with him and then it becomes a team on fire, an absolute team on fire. So what I’m asking him to do is every day (is) I want him to raise that level that we practice with and raise the level that we play with.”That role will translate to games as well and Kidd-Gilchrist said he wants to play the defensive stopper role Liggins was known for a year ago. Making Kidd-Gilchrist potentially even more of a defensive weapon is his size. With his 6-foot-7, 232-pound frame and a wing span befitting a much taller player. Calipari says Kidd-Gilchrist is capable of guarding any position on the floor, one through five.”He’s gone from playing post to moving out on the floor each year,” Calipari said. “He knows how to guard inside. On the outside, he gets down and he can give space, yet put his arms out there.  He’ll fight a two guard on screens because he’s tough. He can guard every position.”Something else Kidd-Gilchrist could have in common with Liggins is an occasional sixth-man role. With players like Doron Lamb, Terrence Jones and Darius Miller returning and a talented four-man recruiting class arriving, starting spots are guaranteed to no one. Kidd-Gilchrist can’t speak for any of his teammates, but he would have no problem coming off the bench.”I wouldn’t mind at all,” Kidd-Gilchrist said.