Ken McDonald

Welcome back fourth and final hour Dennis and Callahan of all of New England watches the languish at the bottom of the NBA's standings -- looking forward to the ping pong ball drop on may 22. Joining us on the -- line is the assistant coach of the Texas longhorns the man who was helped fashion Kevin Durant into the Apple ever buddies die in New England. Guy's name is Ken McDonald is -- got to look at how aria. Opposite -- that's a long -- from -- Providence to -- Austin, Texas value --

it's -- great have been southern outlook that it went in Western Kentucky. University Georgia and not exits -- my whole -- so.

So they can't -- you can't find a steady job the words that the tell us one thing one thing you have imparted whether just in the words of wisdom or maybe some technique one thing you've imparted on Kevin direct. You name it what have you taught them

you know I think it as a staff we tried it. Right off the bat elements especially wasn't in lineup out of a why not now attitude has approached two two this season is special now. And he's an incredible kid art workers so -- to when he came in it was like it you'd be here that year college basketball he kind of ran with it.

Get when you first laid eyes on him what was what was the set of circumstances that and -- what was your very first impression when you saw play the first time

really really then ha dvds he's he's really versatile. He's incredibly energetic as a player he does a little -- everything. It has the as he developed at Texas -- became him there's not a city in view physically wants while terms of the east and inside in Canada. Toughness that you want players side that he's out he's a kid that just kind of be shattered some.

Now he showed up at 25 is that correct in his up at 225 people on 20 with the strength and conditioning coach.

Yeah -- no problem stretch that. He probably end at the end of the is that that is the was about do you out of out of eaters -- acted that. Eat a whole lot Hitler he better with that would does that but he's --

Did you personally recruited him and and if so what I did sell them on Texas what what this -- from Maryland and up in Austin.

Well -- bring -- recruited him on our staff from about this freshman year. Yet as to what became that all of -- at home as on got more involved that it went on probably you know last year recruitment in. I think -- looking to do something different once again bought you know one well it. Text on the map one not try to as a freshman -- world record is making me myself in. -- seem to to a -- never gone to that and I thought process. It is not a you know but I'm here. -- to keep going in with these future pretty places. That might not -- happen. Mike Deion. All class -- you might not be able to do what you can do not so much from a personal level but it will need to elevate your team to a certain level. I think you'd look at the Kennedys and different when he came out of that visit. He had a great time encourage or Estes clicked really well. And Kevin's father was on the visit also and they got along and responds that long while but he had great choices it was Carolina. UConn -- you know it mr. really with either choice that -- that point in we were epic get a visit --

Obviously he's a physically talented guy mentally is he wise beyond his years in basketball education can or about where he should be your -- you expect debate.

it he he knows the game pretty good he does just have been saying a lot bogey. He's he is that gets a lot and where were baffled. How easily. He he does that on the course received from an offensive standpoint. But he you know he rebounds well -- does things defensively he used on the opposite in the big 12 as a freshman. Which we can -- him but he. You know it's it's one of those things is just take over as -- the court in every stage. Of competition every situation even elevate other. Another level even on. On the road. If a lot to score more on the road in the big 12 in one at home as a freshman any -- these environment it's incredible for someone he's period. And in the that night. 30 points 16 rebounds so we just sit there in the it is that.

Getting your estimation what when he gets to the NBA whenever that happens to be. Where will his struggles but he

probably not a mental part the physical part that the drain in the grind it out there and -- in the it air about the crime and -- you know games three games in week or is we travel charters after he worked in the next day he got some of the stuff that he'll have to deal with probably endorsement was will be. -- to deal with is you know those that's 1 PC as -- indifference and promoting things in doing so. Probably the time it's time management and there was the other and that kind of attachment in 19 year old kid the he's put himself in the position that decision making you know eat eat at its support system around them in he can make it did.

We're talking with the Texas longhorns as a basketball coach Ken McDonald -- polyester staff handled the questions and the plot that this kid is coveted by you know everybody who -- a draft pick a lottery pick in the NBA and and and what your sense of how far along that decision that you just referred to is in his mind.

Well I think responses. Main focus this week were eliminated in the NC AA tournament was 13 and Kevin is they -- the so he's a we just want to give Kevin the right -- he has very very good parents that are very educated and -- sport they know. You know what's going -- they they want that we want to gather information and make sure that they have. Good information when they make -- decision in English and you know in this for what's best for seven so that's an -- process right now because arm. -- restroom and everyone involved and such with Hanley seven the day after we've eliminated a packet of well. 1 in the morning using class that day in and that's the way he handles himself. So he's going on with his education but also trying to filtered through this whole process the old monster may be --

What is the what's the timetable canned does he have is there a date that you would like an answer that the that that the that the family directly Hamlet plans on making the decision.

No I don't you know what I don't know. And that's something that comes on in Italy -- talent ought to I don't think there's I don't think there's a set date I think it's Tuesday. Let's gather facts which we visit each week and you're rap and and obviously -- deadline -- BA. Trapped in her out but there there have been any dates.

When it John tell Perry was asked about recruiting last week forced tournament games at the one. Thing every kid. Asks about is the NBA you know how best to -- get the NBA can you help me get the NBA obviously that not all NBA caliber players. It is that you're experienced you find guys like to rant like. Lamarcus Aldridge like other guys that you've recruited talked to -- that play for that they want to know how can you best prepare them for the next level.

Absolutely it's. At this level and there's Lawrence's built a monster here at Texas in at this level every just about every player to injury and it is now a lot of these guys it's a realistic dream two to be in the -- to get drafted in the next to make rosters so you know frontline -- talk about it. -- talked about the possibility preparing them for that level but. It's it's also you don't want to get that there model five in that's all there about want to that still in mourning and it. In want to -- and talk about championships in 12 local and national level and that's force kept it he is such a team guy he he doesn't want attention. You really. Not like all the talk in -- son in -- in it around and so. Yet that that happened --

your estimation I know you're not a physiologist how much more room is there on his frame for added weight to to withstand the rigors of the NBA.

We we -- a lot we we think you know he he's not when he went up these. It has its best -- potential. On the court you know my iron game obviously physically. Every freshman. Struggles with and out -- make sure that they you know be sure but it's he's -- 244 just scary quick. -- in the American so he's he's got this system.

Hey is inappropriate for you at all our coach Barnes to try to talk them in the stand.

Well I don't think that's coach's focus it's not the once again it's their decision it's about what that should Kevin. I understand that and Italy. Understand that that's our approach it's it's really. That's a decision as he had. So as staff it is gathers much commitment you make sure that they know what's going on you make sure they know. The pluses and minuses paying the pluses -- now anyway you know what why would they like would it's let them make -- decision they are smart people Evans put himself in great position agree choices. No -- and are the Lamarcus last year where there is reason. Markets the decision was that move on and one it's about disappointment.

get if you had a guest you think a year from now you'll be shoving pizza dumbest kids throat and defensive strategies as well.

Well our strength is that what you guys -- a lot of you are right -- applicants and expect I don't know I don't know what it's hard -- doubt he'd let you let -- great yet. Impetus it's our turn now and it is it's it's really a situation once again. We've allowed in this situation.

Your 15 years out of Providence and I'm wondering what went windows windows Ken McDonald. A become a -- Donovan a calipari and Roy Williams what's what's your career path it's.

Timetable street pretty good guys yeah I got by the name but for I appreciate you but it that the Edinburgh at you know it it the right opportunity has come around -- excited you're Matt responds obviously. I think the world our program here is just really really incredible so many good and I'm going to be pretty selective. But I am looking forward to the next challenge but it we we really next month it has been this year one when Nash championship -- knocking on the door so. That's that's were -- what are.

I leave you with a very difficult trivia question -- who has beat top career free throw shooter in Providence College history.

It's one of the only stat that no not a lot of than Arnold or mom clubs there. I only took Knoblauch at the it is the ultimate aren't -- slowly -- you know seven you know you took more than that. Not just chip in yeah -- yeah.

Should do you remember all your -- all four of your misses. Front -- them a lot.

Now -- don't know I don't remember the -- is it -- knows about it you played professionally Ireland that we know they had such a thing. Yeah I trust if you went over there you know keep edit or out of that million Guinness. Now.

They try to get you have that's -- You know that'll pay and that there's it was a good experience I got the space I got to stay away from the real world three year goes on.

It gives Kevin Donnelly is the assistant basketball coach of the at Texas longhorns and Kevin to rants mentor I can appreciate the time it thanks for about for the information. Yeah McDonnell 1000 gallon while we failed for Nokia two out of break ranks tells the truth now should begin in the field just between just as whisper -- on the Internet via. Like they did their part and the -- absent Christ he's gone just yesterday just say the sky is blue as think he's leaving. You'll actually safely -- guys blew a lot