Looking back at Kentucky basketball players in C-J stories
You've heard the criticisms of this and other University of Kentucky teams – that coach John Calipari's anticipated one-and-done players are merely rentals, or even mercenaries, peeking ahead to the next level.
But the makeup of UK's 2014 Final Four team dates back further than the six months composing this basketball season.
For some, such as Madisonville's Jon Hood or Wilmore's Jarrod Polson, playing for UK was a lifelong dream. Others, such as the Harrison twins, selected UK after lengthy recruitments and longtime contact with the Wildcats' coaching staff.
Take a look at stories from The Courier-Journal, old and new, on each of UK's players. They all played a part in a team that will forever be known as…well, you decide.
ALL THE STORIES IN THIS COLLECTION PLUS GALLERIES ON LEADING PLAYERS
- Look Back | Dakari Johnson found haven at UK
- Look Back | Jon Hood satisfied in the shadows
- Look Back | Mr. Basketball Dominique Hawkins commits to UK
- Look Back | Harrison brothers' Texas-size talent
- Look Back | James young collects 26 in Kentucky basketball rout
- Look Back | Derek Willis emerging from the shadows
- Look Back | Willie Cauley-Stein stands out in all sorts of ways
- Look Back | Alex Poythress showing he's ready the second time around
- Look Back | Jarrod Polson a Kentucky basketball blue blood
- Look Back | Kentucky's Julius Randle learned the hard way from mom
- Look Back | Dominique Hawkins talks UK 'crazy talent'
- Look Back | UK's Tod Lanter, Brian Long, Sam Malone, E.J. Floreal