Wildcats in the Pros - March 23

Each week, Wildcats in the Pros catches up with some former Kentucky student-athletes who are doing big things in professional athletics. 

Former Kentucky Wildcat shining star and current Minnesota Timberwolves’ center Karl-Anthony Towns is having arguably the most remarkable rookie season of any former Cat ever.

In the month of March alone, Towns has shot an impressive 59 percent from the field and, in nine of his last 10 games, has connected on more than 50 percent of his field-goal attempts.  

Currently leading in points, rebounds, player efficiency rating and win shares among all rookies in the league, the Timberwolves’ standout is on pace to win the NBA’s 2016 Rookie of the Year title. 

After pitching for the Kansas City Royals and the Pittsburgh Pirates last season, Joe Blanton is hoping to make yet another Major League Baseball roster this spring.

Blanton went to spring training with the Los Angeles Dodgers, not knowing exactly what his role with the team would be. Blanton could serve as the team’s fifth starter, or he could be used out of the bullpen.

While his role is still not settled, Blanton has shown that he can still pitch at age 35. In five spring training appearances, the right-hander has a 1.86 ERA and has struck out 11 batters in nine and two-thirds innings. With less than two weeks until Opening Day, it appears that Blanton will make the Dodgers’ roster, largely due to his strong spring performance.

Former Kentucky golfer J.B. Holmes is back in action on the PGA Tour this week. Holmes will be playing in the World Golf Championships-Dell Match Play event in Austin, Texas.

The format for this event begins with a round-robin among four golfers in a particular group. The winner of each group then advances in the bracket, much like the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Holmes is in a group with Bubba Watson, Emiliano Grillo and Patton Kizzire. Group play begins on Wednesday, with the championship match set for Sunday.