As for Ray Spalding, the freshman power forward has the potential to become a great player, Pitino said, but he has to want it. He is working his way toward a 225-pound frame on his 6-10 body.
"Ray has just got to become more of a basketball fanatic," Pitino said. "Ray gives you 100 percent every time he’s in the gym. Deng and Donovan are self-motivated basketball junkies. Ray’s got to become that. Ray can be an NBA basketball player someday if he becomes self-motivated."
Jaylen Johnson, a sophomore power forward, is refocusing efforts on dropping his body fat to 7 percent so he can increase his stamina, quickness and explosiveness, Pitino said. He's already cut four percentage points and is nearing his goal.
"Like (Onuaku), the biggest issue is stamina. He breaks down quite a bit," Pitino said. "Skill-wise, he’s good at almost everything: A good handler, average-to-good shooter, good rebounder. Now you have to get two skills that you can be great at."
"Ray has just got to become more of a basketball fanatic," Pitino said. "Ray gives you 100 percent every time he’s in the gym. Deng and Donovan are self-motivated basketball junkies. Ray’s got to become that. Ray can be an NBA basketball player someday if he becomes self-motivated."
Jaylen Johnson, a sophomore power forward, is refocusing efforts on dropping his body fat to 7 percent so he can increase his stamina, quickness and explosiveness, Pitino said. He's already cut four percentage points and is nearing his goal.
"Like (Onuaku), the biggest issue is stamina. He breaks down quite a bit," Pitino said. "Skill-wise, he’s good at almost everything: A good handler, average-to-good shooter, good rebounder. Now you have to get two skills that you can be great at."
