The lone, true freshman on scholarship for Louisville has already turned heads, including head coach Rick Pitino's.
"I'm not putting pressure on myself," said V.J. King at Louisville basketball media day. "I just want to soak up as much knowledge as I can and do whatever [Pitino] tells me to do to stay on the floor."
The 6-foot-6 forward is adjusting to the Cards' offense and defense and has done so convincingly in just a few short months on campus.
"I think he's ready to contribute right away," said Pitino. "When you play against Deng Adel each day and more than hold your own and some days get the better of him, you're ready to play."
"Freshman year is crazy," said Adel. "You feel like coach is on you, so he's definitely picked that up real quick. He's been playing terrific."
"He pushes me offensively and defensively. He always keeps me on my toes," King said of Adel. "He's a great player to match up with, and we make each other better every day."
As impressive as King as been, he's been enamored with Louisville. He stayed true to his commitment to the basketball team through his recruitment while the program is scrutinized by the NCAA.
"I trusted in this community and this program. Even with the things that went on, I trusted that this coaching staff and community was the right place for me," he said.
After sitting out last postseason, King found it difficult to watch his teammates go through the ban.
"It was just the overall feeling in the summer. We're hungry this year. That opportunity was taken away from us," he said.
"I'm not putting pressure on myself," said V.J. King at Louisville basketball media day. "I just want to soak up as much knowledge as I can and do whatever [Pitino] tells me to do to stay on the floor."
The 6-foot-6 forward is adjusting to the Cards' offense and defense and has done so convincingly in just a few short months on campus.
"I think he's ready to contribute right away," said Pitino. "When you play against Deng Adel each day and more than hold your own and some days get the better of him, you're ready to play."
"Freshman year is crazy," said Adel. "You feel like coach is on you, so he's definitely picked that up real quick. He's been playing terrific."
"He pushes me offensively and defensively. He always keeps me on my toes," King said of Adel. "He's a great player to match up with, and we make each other better every day."
As impressive as King as been, he's been enamored with Louisville. He stayed true to his commitment to the basketball team through his recruitment while the program is scrutinized by the NCAA.
"I trusted in this community and this program. Even with the things that went on, I trusted that this coaching staff and community was the right place for me," he said.
After sitting out last postseason, King found it difficult to watch his teammates go through the ban.
"It was just the overall feeling in the summer. We're hungry this year. That opportunity was taken away from us," he said.
