Next up in our season of pre-season player features is walk-on point guard Brian Long. Long is a native of Dumont, N.J., and his brother Travis spent a year playing for John Calipari at Memphis. His father, also named Brian, is the celebrated coach of River Dell High School, where the younger Long played before coming to Kentucky. Calipari offered a walk-on spot to Long in the spring of his senior year in high school and Long arrived on campus in August.
Cat Scratches: You've had some time to adjust to the idea of playing for Kentucky. What do you think about it all?
Brian Long: It's still kind of surreal. I'm at Kentucky, one of the most prestigious schools in the country, and I'm playing basketball for Coach Cal. It's unbelievable. I'm very fortunate to be a part of this program. It's something really special to be a part of this team that has the talent and the capability of doing something really special.
CS: What goals do you have for yourself in your career here at UK?
BL: I have to do well in the classroom. I have to work hard day in and day out to try to benefit this team in any way I can. I want to get my education and I want to be a part of this for four years. I think this will be a special year.
CS: What do you think of your new home in Lexington?
BL: It's kind of what I expected. It's a college town and it's a lot different than where I'm from. I'm from right by New York City so it's different than that, but I like it so far.
CS: How has the team embraced you since you became part of the team?
BL: They've been great. They've taken me in like I'm one of their own. I enjoy being here so far.
CS: What can you tell Kentucky fans about your game?
BL: I'm a guard. I'm trying to do everything I can to help us win. I'm going to stay on the perimeter away from all the bigs down there. They've got me by a foot and change.
CS: What have you noticed about the relationships that Coach Cal has with his players?
BL: He's always been a father figure to me and he does that for his players. He's always been really close to his players. He does everything he can to help them, whether it's telling them to come back another year or go to the NBA. He's always there for his players.
CS: What do you think when you look around the gym and see so many talented guys?
BL: This whole team is deep. We have seven, eight, nine guys that are going to be able to play. The team is good. I think we could do something special.
Cat Scratches: You've had some time to adjust to the idea of playing for Kentucky. What do you think about it all?
Brian Long: It's still kind of surreal. I'm at Kentucky, one of the most prestigious schools in the country, and I'm playing basketball for Coach Cal. It's unbelievable. I'm very fortunate to be a part of this program. It's something really special to be a part of this team that has the talent and the capability of doing something really special.
CS: What goals do you have for yourself in your career here at UK?
BL: I have to do well in the classroom. I have to work hard day in and day out to try to benefit this team in any way I can. I want to get my education and I want to be a part of this for four years. I think this will be a special year.
CS: What do you think of your new home in Lexington?
BL: It's kind of what I expected. It's a college town and it's a lot different than where I'm from. I'm from right by New York City so it's different than that, but I like it so far.
CS: How has the team embraced you since you became part of the team?
BL: They've been great. They've taken me in like I'm one of their own. I enjoy being here so far.
CS: What can you tell Kentucky fans about your game?
BL: I'm a guard. I'm trying to do everything I can to help us win. I'm going to stay on the perimeter away from all the bigs down there. They've got me by a foot and change.
CS: What have you noticed about the relationships that Coach Cal has with his players?
BL: He's always been a father figure to me and he does that for his players. He's always been really close to his players. He does everything he can to help them, whether it's telling them to come back another year or go to the NBA. He's always there for his players.
CS: What do you think when you look around the gym and see so many talented guys?
BL: This whole team is deep. We have seven, eight, nine guys that are going to be able to play. The team is good. I think we could do something special.
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