By Nick Gray

ngray@kykernel.com

If you ask him, sophomore forward Derek Willis says he is satisfied at UK, no matter how much playing time he gets.

Once head coach John Calipari slots players in positions, platoon or not, Willis’ satisfaction at UK may be tested as it was last season.

Willis’ playing time was marginalized as the 2013-14 season wound into conference play. His introduction to conference play was mostly in mop-up time, as three freshmen leapt ahead of him. Julius Randle has left, but this year’s freshmen Trey Lyles and Karl Towns have tightened the frontcourt rotation more than last year, at least on paper.

But his satisfaction, at least before his second season at UK, has sustained.

“I just want to win a national championship,” Willis said. “It doesn’t matter what kind of time I would get. Of course I’d like to play, but my main goal is a championship.”

Willis benefited as much as any player by the team’s trip to the Bahamas. With Lyles and junior forward Willie Cauley-Stein out due to injury, Willis averaged 17.8 minutes per game in UK’s 10-man platoon rotation, getting more playing time in three games in the Bahamas than he did all last season.

Willis showed a notable improvement defensively during the Bahamas trip with increased foot speed and athleticism. But he struggled to make perimeter shots in August, which, for a guy who relies on spot-up shooting for offensive output, is not encouraging.

Calipari is not treating him any different than any other player he has coached. “We’ll put you in a good position,” Calipari has said throughout his coaching career, “and you have to produce.”

He had a similar message to Willis this season.

“You know I’m not throwing you under the bus,” Calipari said. “You know I love you. You know we’re going to develop you. You know we’re going to help you be the best version of you. But you are responsible for you.”

Willis said he worked on moving around with and without the ball offensively. When he did play last season, Willis found himself standing on the perimeter, taking himself out of the play or crutching onto the movement of the basketball, which is a no-no in Calipari’s offense.

If his offensive activity has improved, Willis will be much improved and capable of producing when his number is called. While he waits for that time, his mind is set in the right place toward his goals — making himself better and winning basketball games.

“I’ll be prepared for when my number is called,” he said. “I have to keep working and keep improving, and what happens will take care of itself.”