Kentucky’s Senior Night had some added festivities
They say shooters shoot. Well, Kentucky sharpshooter Derek Willis took his first shot on Tuesday night before the game even started by proposing to his girlfriend during the Wildcats’ Senior Night festivities:
Derek Willis with the Senior Night proposal! pic.twitter.com/JHybsduKBv
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) March 1, 2017
She said yes, of course, otherwise this could have been the most awkward Senior Night of all time. It certainly would have been the most confidence-crushing move college basketball had seen in a long while.
Willis is one of two seniors remaining from the Wildcats’ 2013 recruiting class that ranked No. 1 in the nation, according to 247Sports. Julius Randle, Andrew and Aaron Harrison, James Young and Dakari Johnson all left early for the NBA while Marcus Lee transferred to California prior to the start of the 2016-17 season. Lee posted a heartfelt note directed towards the team’s seniors — Willis, Dominique Hawkins and Mychal Mulder (Mulder transferred to Kentucky for his junior and senior season) — on his Instagram page prior to the game:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BREkuQtDzdx/?taken-by=justmarcuslee&hl=en
Willis wasn’t the most highly touted recruit of the 2013 class by any means, ranking 129th nationally, according to 247Sports, but he’s certainly had an impact this season as one of Kentucky’s few outside shooting threats. In 20.5 minutes per game, Willis is averaging 7.0 points while shooting 38.2 percent from beyond the 3-point arc.
Kentucky is looking to lock up at least a share of the SEC regular season title on Senior Night against the Vanderbilt Commodores in Lexington. The Wildcats hold a one game lead over the Florida Gators with just one game to play after tonight’s contest.