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Moss Point's Devin Booker (1) scored 16 points for the University of Kentucky Sunday night in his first official appearance at historic Rupp Arena. (Photo courtesy of Chet White/UK Athletics)
Moss Point's Devin Booker made quite the impression in his first outing in his new Kentucky home.
Booker, a true freshman, scored 16 points off the bench as top-ranked Kentucky beat Pikeville 116-68 Sunday night in an exhibtion game in Lexington.
It was Booker's first official appearance at legendary Rupp Arena, the historic home of the Wildcats. The former Moss Point High prep All-American was the second leading scorer for head coach John Calipari's squad, finishing only behind starting forward Karl-Anthony Towns who led six Wildcats in double digits with 22 points.
Booker played 16 minutes, and made six-of-nine shots from the field, including a pair of 3-pointers. He also was a perfect two-of-two from the free throw line, and dished out three assists in the win in fromt of more than 21,000 Wildcat fans.
"I thought Devin played well," Calipari said. "I love his speed up-and-down the court. If Devin thinks he's going to get two points, you can't believe how fast he is. He will outrun world-class sprinters to go get that ball."
Booker saw plenty of action back in August during Kentucky's six game Big Blue Bahamas Tour that took place in Nassau.
He was happy to get back on the court in the United States.
"I am just getting adjusted to the college game," Booker said. "Today was a good test for me and I stepped up to it. It was a good time out there and the goal for coach was for us to have fun and that is what we did."
Booker's play impressed Pikeville head coach Kelly Wells also.
"Well he's going to make their post players even better," Wells added. "He stretches your defense. He's one of those what we call 'dead eye' shooters. You have to find him all the time and this will make all of their post players better because he's out there on the wing."
Booker realizes he still has a lot to learn, adjusting to the collegiate game after dominating on the high school level.
"It's a lot different. Coach stresses run the floor so that is one thing I try to focus on a lot," Booker concluded. "You know, sprinting the floor so Tyler (Ulis) can kick it up to me and we can initiate our offense like that. Coach stresses that to us so I do it."
The Wildcats play their second and final exhibition game Sunday night hosting Georgetown (Ky.). The game will be televised on the SEC Network beginning at 6 p.m., central time.
Kentucky opens the regular season on Friday, Nov. 14th.