Just returned from Caravan in Lexington

[BlueRunner11]

First time my family and I had done it. Really enjoyed meeting the guys, and was appreciative it was close to home. Didn’t even come with anything to autograph. Just came to say thanks for coming to Kentucky. Guy behind me was nice enough to give my wife and I a basketball to be signed. As I said, 99% of guys were awesome to interact with. Amazing my observations from meeting the guys triggered people this way. I don’t think you have to be a “creepy middle aged man” or deserved to be punched for wanting to meet the team. But that’s just me. Have a good Monday fellas.

People like to think the players can do no wrong. Its why we always see posters call them "good kids." Hell, idk if theyre good kids or not. I just want them to hang banners. Like Cal says, theyre not robots. You never know what experience you may have when interracting with them. Im sure they grow numb to all the constant exposure.

Ive seen a poster say what a bad experience they had w Briscoe at a camp being disinterested, etc and a week later he was fantastic with my son and I at camp. Quade was great last year and seemed annoyed to be there this year. Theyre just like us, day to day, etc. Hard to be all smiles 24/7 for the whole state. You never know, dont take it personal and try not to put them on a pedestal.

But what you say about PJ is consistent with what I saw two weeks ago at camp as well. Who knows. Who cares. Maybe he has chit on his mind, we all do sometime or another.

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

Similar demeanor at the father/son camp-don’t think it’s his intent, just his personality. He appears to be a little introverted-rest of the team seems to be more outgoing which makes him standout. Interacting with people is difficult-especially when you’re asked to be a politician of sorts. Couple that with having to wear the brace/cast and keep the hand/arm elevated, easy to see why he could be miserable at this time.

The facial expression could be misleading. I am often told I look mad when I am not. He smiled a lot on the court.

However, not being nice to people is another matter. Hope it was just a bad day or two.

 

[Blueaz]

The facial expression could be misleading. I am often told I look mad when I am not. He smiled a lot on the court.

However, not being nice to people is another matter. Hope it was just a bad day or two.

I get this all the time...

 

[anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y]

Lol! Some of you people live to make up stuff on here. I simply went to the caravan, wrote my observations (and the observations of others) and get put on blast for doing so. I didn’t “expect” anything from the kid. I said I was surprised he didn’t have the smallest inkling of manners. I’m not one of the one’s who asked them a million questions. I don’t think “thank you for signing this ball” is outrageous. I don’t really give a rat’s behind what you think did or did not happen because you weren’t there. @KYFOSSIL you can keep the tissues as well my friend.
Doesn’t keep me up at night if the kid is just having a bad day or he’s not pleasant all the time.

Only observation was I witnessed him being very unpleasant to several people, including my wife, AND other people’s children in the line, as someone who wasn’t there above pointed out didn’t happen.

Some of you need to be able to read something without immediately crying foul and saying “GET A TISSUE!”.

I will however standby Travis being a man child. Carry on.

But I was there in Midway and guess what, PJ wasn’t displaying the same mannerisms you described. Maybe it’s you with the attitude problem.

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

I am not into autographs, but you guys basically ridiculing people who like to go to these events, if they don't have kids, is a little bizarre. Why does the fact that they like it reflect poorly on them? Because you don't share their interest?

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

I am not into autographs, but you guys basically ridiculing people who like to go to these events, if they don't have kids, is a little bizarre. Why does the fact that they like it reflect poorly on them? Because you don't share their interest?

Please don’t rationalize your creepiness. Isn’t it obvious this behavior is an epedemic?

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

But I was there in Midway and guess what, PJ wasn’t displaying the same mannerisms you described. Maybe it’s you with the attitude problem.

I hope you took your kid(s).

 

[anon_9qtxg60vqzy0y]

I hope you took your kid(s).

Nope. I was there to see the team come in on RJ Corman’s train. I actually had it live on my Facebook page. Didn’t ask for any autographs. Had a long conversation with Bradley McKee of KSTV who was on the train. He was talking about how Cal has his swag more this year and was acting that way on the train. Said this is a CHAMPIONSHIP caliber team.

 

[BlueVelvetFog]

Nope. I was there to see the team come in on RJ Corman’s train. I actually had it live on my Facebook page. Didn’t ask for any autographs. Had a long conversation with Bradley McKee of KSTV who was on the train. He was talking about how Cal has his swag more this year and was acting that way on the train. Said this is a CHAMPIONSHIP caliber team.

So you did a FB live hoping to see our players coming on a train. Man that’s just beyond sick.

Mods please ban for warping society.

 

[kevcat]

Similar demeanor at the father/son camp-don’t think it’s his intent, just his personality. He appears to be a little introverted-rest of the team seems to be more outgoing which makes him standout. Interacting with people is difficult-especially when you’re asked to be a politician of sorts. Couple that with having to wear the brace/cast and keep the hand/arm elevated, easy to see why he could be miserable at this time.

There’s zero excuse for anyone to act this way. We’ve all been in situations where we had to put up with people we didn’t want to be around. You jam a happy stick up your butt and fake smile and be pleasant no matter what. If someone truly can’t suck it up for a few hours and pretend to be nice, then they shouldn’t be there at all. I am talking in general. I have no idea who acted in what way because I wasn’t there.

Players have changed a lot. It’s just this generation. They believe they are entitled to what they have so very few respect it. For everyone bitching about their popularity and what it brings, I also assume you believe they need to skip the pros? Because it gets far worse.

These fans adore them, the kids are what it’s all about. If they can’t understand that then go play somewhere where it won’t happen. Take your attitude to Las Vegas. No one will care about you.

Nothing worse than a player who disrespects the fans and kids. They will get what’s coming to them eventually with that attitude.

As is usually the case, spot freaking on Morg.

 

[LetsHang9]

I don't care if one or two kids on the team are not nice to fans.

I care that they win and that they follow the rules. Everything else is vying for a distant third.

However, if he was really just ignoring everybody, he might have just been tired and zoning out.

I have what women call "resting (female dog) face", and when I'm tired and in public with my wife and her friends, they often ask her afterwards why I was in a bad mood. I'm not. I like them just fine. I'm just day dreaming and apparently looking like a sociopath at the same time. Can't help it.

Same here.

 

[Dr. H Lecter]

Did we get any observations as to his walk? Are we good with his walk?

 

[Blue Wildcat]

There’s zero excuse for anyone to act this way. We’ve all been in situations where we had to put up with people we didn’t want to be around. You jam a happy stick up your butt and fake smile and be pleasant no matter what. If someone truly can’t suck it up for a few hours and pretend to be nice, then they shouldn’t be there at all. I am talking in general. I have no idea who acted in what way because I wasn’t there.

As is usually the case, spot freaking on Morg.

Kev-

Agree if he’s just being an ***. If this is truly his personality, he may not have enough self awareness to realize how he’s coming off to people.

 

[anon1763419335]

maybe he just doesnt like the fans. which is totally fine. at least he is being real about it. if i was a player, a star one at that, i'm not sure i would even go to these events

 

[ruppcat]

It was great to see the team up close and have interactions with the players.

Cliff notes:

Reid Travis is a grown man and is going to punish some people this year. Really nice guy as well. He seemed somewhat shellshocked at BBN, ha.

Ashton Hagans is as enjoyable of a personality I’ve seen on a UK team in some time. Constantly smiling, polite to all fans and just good attitude in general.

Quade Green looks much thinner and in good shape. He was also smiling the entire time and cutting up with fans. Tyler Herro also super nice.

EJ and Nick were sitting beside each other and I can’t imagine anyone is gonna get a shot off in the paint with those two tall trees in there.

Coach Cal personable and swaggy.

Now to the one negative. I understand these players are tired. It had been a long day of signing autographs and I’m sure some fans asked more questions than appropriate. That being said, PJ Washington is the rudest UK player I’ve ever met. Head down the entire time. Refused to interact with fans. Wouldn’t respond to questions or comments from fans, not even if they just said thank you. Never smiled, once. Was rude to the fans in front of me, to my wife and I, and to the people behind us. Several fans walking back to their cars were talking about it. It was truly shocking and disappointing. PJ is one of my favorite players, and it was just a big let down. I know fans can be exhausting, but he was the only one acting like that. He acted as if he wanted to be anywhere else.


Rant over. This team looks like they really like each other (with the exception of PJ who acted like he wanted to die). I think we are poised for a big year.

GBB

Well, the grilling he received over 4/13 FTs in the Dance might have something to do with it if he's a reader of these threads.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

maybe he just doesnt like the fans. which is totally fine. at least he is being real about it. if i was a player, a star one at that, i'm not sure i would even go to these events

If Cal told you to go I bet you would lol. PJ probably wanted to sit this one out but had to do it regardless.

 

[timefornineky]

P J was very nice and out going at Marshall county.

 

[akaukswoosh]

P J was very nice and out going at Marshall county.

Good to hear.

 

[ManitouDan_anon]

Eighty percent of a good post.

Im not sure everything in life is for sharing. Once at the White House after the 1998 championship a UK player much beloved by the fan base was a rude jerk to me. I'll never say who it was. The kid had a bad two minutes and there's no need to trash him over it. Probably the same with PJ tonight. His video when he announced he was coming back was very gracious and enthusiastic.

REX ? LOL

 

[ManitouDan_anon]

For the record , the 8 year old at 4 ' 3" asking for an autograph -- Thats a KID , The 6'8" 240 guy in college is a young adult . Like old enough to go to war . You dont have to be Mr Rogers , but dont be totally rude . Esp at a public event where interaction with the public is expected .

 

[PikeCat15]

P J was very nice and out going at Marshall county.

That’s great to hear. Obviously just a bad day for the guy with my experience then. No harm, no foul.

 

[GonzoCat90]

Bit of twitter digging found Kyle Tucker reporting that the guys made three stops yesterday and that each seemed to go at least 90 minutes with hundreds of fans.

That, plus riding a train all day, plus an arm in a cast, plus 90-degree heat. Yikes.

Tucker said by the end that Joel Justus could only manage a sincere "thank you so much for coming" to every third person.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

I mean it was just days ago he saw a group of his teammates make their dreams come true. Maybe it's just residual blues for not being able to go with them and begin his ultimate dream. Hard to say, like mentioned he is a kid and just saw his teammates smiling making their dreams come true after he decided he needed to come back. Hopefully he is just as mean to our opponents and takes it out on them. We all have bad days and could be it's just a little fresh for him.

 

[kevcat]

Well, the grilling he received over 4/13 FTs in the Dance might have something to do with it if he's a reader of these threads.

I’m sure those kids had it coming. They’re lucky PJ didn’t smash their smug, 9 year old faces in. Punk *** kids.

 

[JASUN74]

I can't think of any reason not to smile or say hello to a little girl..not cool PJ

Amen!

 

[JASUN74]

Good post.

I saw pictures of some of those toothy, creepily grinning adult fans. I'd have a hard time too hearing about how their 12 year old kid is a starter for some dumb Pee-Wee league roster and how he hopes to make the UK team someday under Cal.

Then, can you imagine, all the knuckleheads who think they're being clever by reminding guys like Washington to "beat Duke in November" while Washington and his teammates are doing something normal like standing in line at the theater, ordering popcorn?

It must be exhausting. It's like being a celebrity to fans who only know how to say one of about a dozen of the same things:

"Beat Duke in November!"

"So glad you came back!"

"I've been a UK fan for 50 years!"

"My kid wants to play for UK. He's pretty good, too."

"Number 9, PJ! Go get number 9!"

"You ready for Louisville this year?"

And about five or six other lame quotes that likely encompass the overwhelming majority of these player/fan interactions.

They don’t have to come to KY either. That’s part of it and it’s made clear to them they have a lot of responsibility to the fans. It’s not like they have been doing it twenty years and it’s getting old. Suck it up and have fun is all they need to do or go somewhere where it’s not expected.

 

[JASUN74]

Maybe your wife and these children are ugly.

Lol. Mean but funny. Sorry pike cat. Lol. It is pretty funny though.

 

[kywildcatsfan#1]

Good post.

I saw pictures of some of those toothy, creepily grinning adult fans. I'd have a hard time too hearing about how their 12 year old kid is a starter for some dumb Pee-Wee league roster and how he hopes to make the UK team someday under Cal.

Then, can you imagine, all the knuckleheads who think they're being clever by reminding guys like Washington to "beat Duke in November" while Washington and his teammates are doing something normal like standing in line at the theater, ordering popcorn?

It must be exhausting. It's like being a celebrity to fans who only know how to say one of about a dozen of the same things:

"Beat Duke in November!"

"So glad you came back!"

"I've been a UK fan for 50 years!"

"My kid wants to play for UK. He's pretty good, too."

"Number 9, PJ! Go get number 9!"

"You ready for Louisville this year?"

And about five or six other lame quotes that likely encompass the overwhelming majority of these player/fan interactions.

Probably got a million questions about the pinky surgery recovery too.

 

[JASUN74]

You were with family. My post wasn’t addressing you.

I will say this. I remember seeing Tubby Smith being hounded at a Fast Food joint by a fan wanting to talk about the NCAA tournament. Typical fat idiot wearing blue head to toe who hasn’t shaved for days.

I’m thinking dude..let the guy get his food and leave.

I almost told him you wasn’t talking about him after he replied back to u but I figured you’d take care of it. Lol

 

[sound defect]

Oh, quit whining about how an 18 year old kid didn't treat you nice enough. Why even post something like this? Rudest player ever? Because he wasn't happy-go-lucky to be signing autographs for grown men?

 

[BoulderCat_rivals187983]

It was great to see the team up close and have interactions with the players.

Cliff notes:

Reid Travis is a grown man and is going to punish some people this year. Really nice guy as well. He seemed somewhat shellshocked at BBN, ha.

Ashton Hagans is as enjoyable of a personality I’ve seen on a UK team in some time. Constantly smiling, polite to all fans and just good attitude in general.

Quade Green looks much thinner and in good shape. He was also smiling the entire time and cutting up with fans. Tyler Herro also super nice.

EJ and Nick were sitting beside each other and I can’t imagine anyone is gonna get a shot off in the paint with those two tall trees in there.

Coach Cal personable and swaggy.

Now to the one negative. I understand these players are tired. It had been a long day of signing autographs and I’m sure some fans asked more questions than appropriate. That being said, PJ Washington is the rudest UK player I’ve ever met. Head down the entire time. Refused to interact with fans. Wouldn’t respond to questions or comments from fans, not even if they just said thank you. Never smiled, once. Was rude to the fans in front of me, to my wife and I, and to the people behind us. Several fans walking back to their cars were talking about it. It was truly shocking and disappointing. PJ is one of my favorite players, and it was just a big let down. I know fans can be exhausting, but he was the only one acting like that. He acted as if he wanted to be anywhere else.


Rant over. This team looks like they really like each other (with the exception of PJ who acted like he wanted to die). I think we are poised for a big year.

GBB

Thanks and nice post. Let’s face it people not from Kentucky are shell shocked. I’m an expatriate, and in the decades I’ve been gone I have tried to explain Kentucky basketball to the friends I’ve made and the women I have loved, and I have probably fallen short. It is religion. In my mind the things that define Kentucky are Christianity, horse racing, bourbon, tabacco, coal, pretty girls, most especially redheads to me, and UK basketball.

 

[JASUN74]

I’m not sure reporting exact observations from a person-to-person interaction is “throwing someone under the bus”, but I will say I probably overreacted and he could have been having a bad day. From the way he acted it must have been one helluva bad day he was having to treat the fans that way. But, I have bad days. Everyone has bad days. Never said that was the way he was all the time. I’m gonna leave this alone. You can’t get on here and make an observation without being blasted and your wife called ugly apparently, but it’s a message board.

I hope PJ kicks *** this year and we win the title. My thread was meant to show my excitement for this year’s team and not solely PJ’s behavior, so I apologize it came out differently. I’m still rooting for all those guys, including PJ, who I’m sure I caught the wrong glimpse of him on the wrong day.

Go Cats

You have no reason to apologize to anyone. You just made an observation about what you say and nothing more. Thanks man and of course everyone in the world knows that everyone else can have bad days. That doesn’t change the fact that he could’ve been a little bit nicer to people and pretend to want to be there. He’s been there a year now and knows how things work and if something was so bad that he couldn’t smile at a little girl then he should have just stayed home and practiced or something. Having said all that, I wasn’t there and I love pjs game and hope they all have a great season and career.

 

[Shaudylo]

Don’t see what the big deal is on the OP posting his observation. If PJ is the rudest player he’s ever met then he’s just stating what it is .

Athletes, celebrities, etc it’s just about when you meet them . It’s probably hard to give a good encounter with every single person that you meet .

 

[stoneycat_20]

Oh, quit whining about how an 18 year old kid didn't treat you nice enough. Why even post something like this? Rudest player ever? Because he wasn't happy-go-lucky to be signing autographs for grown men?

It's about being rude to kids....He could tell me GTFOH and id be fine, but never be rude to little kids

 

[Kybluedude]

Conflicting reports. Probably need multiple people to confirm the negative vibe before I believe it. One person isn’t so convincing

 

[ThwKentuckyKid]

I just hope he finds a better way to celebrate rather than shoving his teammates.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Conflicting reports. Probably need multiple people to confirm the negative vibe before I believe it. One person isn’t so convincing

I was there. PJ gave my dying grandma a hug for about 20 seconds, wrote an original poem about her, held her hand, and sang kumbaya my Lord - an act that broke out on the in the whole crowd singing.

Then, PJ began a speech from atop the table he had been signing at. He thanked all the fans, and recited as many names as he could (he had a piece of paper that he had used to scribble down names). He thanked them for being fans, but most of all, for being humans. He even teared up a bit as he read it and said he didn't mind it at all when fans interrupted him at all the dozens of social occasions they've intruded on him in the last 12 months.

After he hugged about a hundred fans, a man asked if PJ would donate his kidney to him, and PJ said he would. They had the surgery right there beside the signing table. PJ even took a selfie with the guy during the surgery.

I'm told that this weekend PJ is planning an icecream sing-along with some elementary school kids wherein they'll watch the movie Wonder on an outside projector, followed by gentle pillow fighting and a game of Capture the Flag.


What a swell guy!

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

It's about being rude to kids....He could tell me GTFOH and id be fine, but never be rude to little kids

Confirm your statement. Do you know for a fact he was being rude to children? If not, that's a pretty horrible thing to say about Washington.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

You have no reason to apologize to anyone. You just made an observation about what you say and nothing more. Thanks man and of course everyone in the world knows that everyone else can have bad days. That doesn’t change the fact that he could’ve been a little bit nicer to people and pretend to want to be there. He’s been there a year now and knows how things work and if something was so bad that he couldn’t smile at a little girl then he should have just stayed home and practiced or something. Having said all that, I wasn’t there and I love pjs game and hope they all have a great season and career.

Why are the people who weren't even there reporting that he didn't smile at some random kid?

I teach kids for a living, and I hardly smile at any of them, except the ones who bring me birthday treats.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Bit of twitter digging found Kyle Tucker reporting that the guys made three stops yesterday and that each seemed to go at least 90 minutes with hundreds of fans.

That, plus riding a train all day, plus an arm in a cast, plus 90-degree heat. Yikes.

Tucker said by the end that Joel Justus could only manage a sincere "thank you so much for coming" to every third person.

Sounds like a nightmare, especially when those crowds feature fans wanting to make up stories about players not smiling at little children.