Wildcats in the Pros - March 30

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

 

Despite being the youngest player in the league, former Wildcat and current Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker leads all NBA rookie shooting guards in scoring.

The talented 19-year-old is averaging 13.3 points per game, which is fourth among all rookies. In addition, Booker averages 2.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per contest.

In the Suns’ most recent game on Monday, Booker dropped in 30 points (five short of his career high of 35), dished out five assists and grabbed three rebounds in a Phoenix loss to Minnesota.

While the NBA Rookie of the Year award will probably go to Booker’s former Kentucky teammate Karl-Anthony Towns, the sharp-shooting Booker has quickly made a name for himself as one of the game’s rising stars.

 

 

It appears that four former Kentucky baseball standouts will be on Major League Baseball Opening Day rosters, as the MLB season gets underway next week.

 

Joe Blanton is set to pitch out of the bullpen for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Blanton will be used in long relief and could see an occasional start, when needed.

 

Collin Cowgill will begin the season with the Cleveland Indians. Cowgill’s role will likely be as a spot starter and defensive replacement, at least in the beginning of the season.

 

Trevor Gott will start 2016 with the Washington Nationals. Gott could get a shot at the closer role before the end of the season, but he will start as a setup man in the bullpen.

 

Chris Rusin appeared to be headed for the disabled list, but he now appears ready to pitch for the Colorado Rockies. Rusin, like Blanton, will see time as a long reliever and spot starter, at least in the beginning of the season.

 

 

Former Kentucky golfer and current PGA Tour member J.B. Holmes returns to the Golf Club of Houston this week in defense of his 2015 Shell Houston Open title.

 

In last year’s event, Holmes shot a blistering final round 64 to get into a playoff, where he eventually beat Jordan Spieth and Johnson Wagner to take home the title and the $1.1 million first prize.

 

The Campbellsville, Ky. native is having a strong season on tour so far in 2016. In seven starts, Holmes has two Top 10 finishes and is currently 34th on the tour’s money list for this season.

 

The Shell Houston Open can be seen on NBC Saturday and Sunday.