Daniel Orton interview with Matt Jones

[WildcatRick]

Sometimes you just see the big stories coming. I remember just over two years ago, when I went to the Nike Camp in Indianapolis and met Patrick Patterson and Jai Lucas for the first time. There was something about those two kids that I knew would lead them to be a huge story for UK over the next year. However I could not have even imagined that the two of them would arguably start the most followed recruiting saga in the history of UK basketball. Well now we are a couple of years in the future and I get that feeling again, for Cats’ fans, it is time to get to know Daniel Orton. Orton is a Top 5 kid in the Class of 2009, from Oklahoma City and is the the only true impact big man in the class that Kentucky is likely to get, while also being a kid that has NBA star written all over him. Add to that fact that he is smart, engaging and now has Kentucky as his leader….and folks, we have our new recruiting story. I talked to him tonight, and what he said is a must read. Enjoy:

Daniel, how has the recruiting process been going and what are you currently up to?
Its been going well. I am at the Amare Stoudamire camp right now and just enjoying myself. It has been good to play with all these great guys and I am having a good time.

What does your list of schools look like at this point?
Right now I like UCLA, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Connecticut and Kentucky

Which of those schools have you visited?
I went on an unofficial to UCLA and Kansas. I also went to the Elite Camp down at Kentucky.

I heard that your dad was at Kentucky this week at the Father-Son Camp. Is that true?
Yeah, a lot of people dont know that my dad is also a coach. He went out there to work at that camp at Kentucky and then to speak. He is good friends with Glenn Cyprien and so he asked him to come out. My brother played at Oklahoma State when Coach Cyprien was there, so they know each other well.

There has been some speculation that Kentucky is your leader, is that true?
Yeah, Kentucky is kinda my leader. I like them a whole lot

Why is it that Kentucky is your leader at this point?
I mean its just a crazy place for basketball. When I went to their Elite Camp, I flew in and got there really late because there was a flight delay. So I got to the hotel at like 3 a.m. and then the next day when I got up, I walked in the lobby and there were these fans there who knew who I was and said to come to Kentucky. I mean that is just crazy. They have such great fans.

http://blog.kentuckysportsradio.com/?p=6424

[Dawood Khan]

Man! Love to get this Dude! Come on down to the Big Blue and write your own Chapter of History Daniel Orton.

We're waiting for someone to come and be the next great one at UK.

We want YOU for the Big Blue!

[matt colvin]

Next spring or sooner. Excellent!

[matt colvin]

buUKohdHaeQ

[freethrow]

I hope his Dad loves it in Kentucky and has a bunch of influence on his decision.

[Will Lavender]

Huge. I mean...huge.

If we get Orton and Patterson stays in '09, we'll field a top 10 team.

Fingers. Crossed.

[DTBrand]

The Orton's need to re-locate to Scott County.:icon_mrgreen:

[Cal_tucky]

Huge. I mean...huge.

If we get Orton and Patterson stays in '09, we'll field a top 10 team.

Fingers. Crossed.


Definately top 10, but honestly I think we're looking at top 3. Think about THIS lineup:

Patterson JR
Orton FR
Miller SO
Meeks SR
Liggins SO

BENCH: Hood FR, Harris SR, Pilgrim JR, Galloway JR, Stevenson SR, Stewart JR

Plus a chance of landing either Wall or Lance Stephenson? One of those two happens it's over.

[matt colvin]

Galloway would be a sr.

[DHOLMAN1]

Josh Harrelson:shock:

[Wildcat Larry]

Harrellson would be a junior.

[westtncat]

Why is everyone forgetting about Carter? Carters gonna be a starter.

[UedK]

[quote=WildcatRick;470067]
..................

There has been some speculation that Kentucky is your leader, is that true?
Yeah, Kentucky is kinda my leader. I like them a whole lot
.....................

/quote]

I kinda want this player in Wildcat Blue.


HA! I REALLY REALLY Orton to be a CAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

[The Black Watch]

Why is everyone forgetting about Carter? Carters gonna be a starter.

And what nuggets of info have you unearthed to make you think that? Surely you jest.

[JWORLD]

Definately top 10, but honestly I think we're looking at top 3. Think about THIS lineup:

Patterson JR
Orton FR
Miller SO
Meeks SR
Liggins SO

BENCH: Hood FR, Harris SR, Pilgrim JR, Galloway JR, Stevenson SR, Stewart JR

Plus a chance of landing either Wall or Lance Stephenson? One of those two happens it's over.


:thumbup::thumbup: :thumbup::thumbup:

[Jazz]

Definately top 10, but honestly I think we're looking at top 3. Think about THIS lineup:

Patterson JR
Orton FR
Miller SO
Meeks SR
Liggins SO

BENCH: Hood FR, Harris SR, Pilgrim JR, Galloway JR, Stevenson SR, Stewart JR

Plus a chance of landing either Wall or Lance Stephenson? One of those two happens it's over.
You forgot John Wall. :icon_lol:

[Ky KiD]

You forgot John Wall. :icon_lol:
You also forgot about clarence trent FR lol :icon_lol:

[westtncat]

And what nuggets of info have you unearthed to make you think that? Surely you jest.
Ooops. forgot my little winky eye. ;)

[RxRusty]

I'm hoping several of these guys play at the Nike Peach Jam in July. It typically draws the best HS players from around the country. The Peach Jam is held less than a mile from my house in North Augusta, SC. I'd really like to see Orton in person. It is July 12 - 15th. I met Billy Gillispie there last year. Also, I saw Ralph Sampson and his son. Pretty cool!

[Cal_tucky]

You forgot John Wall. :icon_lol:


I listed Wall as a potential get, along with Lance Stephenson.

[Jazz]

I listed Wall as a potential get, along with Lance Stephenson.
i know i didnt see that until after i posted it.

[CaliUKFan]

Why is everyone forgetting about Carter? Carters gonna be a starter.

This is Carter's last season

[Terry L. Wildcat]

This is Carter's last season

Unless he applies for a medical redshirt in which case he would have two more seasons.

[poodoo]

My fingers and toes ;) are crossed that Mr. Orton becomes a Cat. :)

[CaliUKFan]

Unless he applies for a medical redshirt in which case he would have two more seasons.

didn't know that, thanks Terry

[JOHN BLUEBLOOD]

Huge. I mean...huge.

If we get Orton and Patterson stays in '09, we'll field a top 10 team.

Fingers. Crossed.
Absolutely, Imagine this frontcourt

Orton, Patterson, Stevenson, D. Miller, Harrellson, AJ Stewart, Hood (sf)

WOW!!!!

[Blue_N_White]

Absolutely, Imagine this frontcourt

Orton, Patterson, Stevenson, D. Miller, Harrellson, AJ Stewart, Hood (sf)

WOW!!!!

I've gotta think that the depth chart would sorta look a little something like this:

C - *Orton, Harrellson, Stevenson

PF - *Patterson, Harrellson, Stevenson, Stewart

SF - *Miller, Harris, Hood, Galloway

SG - *Meeks, Hood, Galloway, Liggins

PG - *Liggins, Galloway, Vilarino

*Starters

Harrellson and Stevenson could be interchangeable at the 4 and 5.

Not bad....not bad at all. Of course, of Wall was to sign as well....that becomes a really nice problem to figure out who would start and what the depth chart would look like then! But having a 4 man rotation up front with Patterson, Orton, Harrellson and Stevenson sounds like a win-win situation to me....:icon_mrgreen:

[matt colvin]

I don't know if this Daniel Orton video has been posted yet. Shows a little more of his play. :5x:5x:5x


cnd9jx4NjLk

[jay t.]

buUKohdHaeQ
dang!

[Adolph Rollingover]

is the thread you were looking for westncat?

[westtncat]

Yes this is it. Seems its changed a bit? maybe I am crazy. :shrug1:

[Tampa_Cat54]

I've gotta think that the depth chart would sorta look a little something like this:

C - *Orton, Harrellson, Stevenson

PF - *Patterson, Harrellson, Stevenson, Stewart

SF - *Miller, Harris, Hood, Galloway

SG - *Meeks, Hood, Galloway, Liggins

PG - *Liggins, Galloway, Vilarino

*Starters

Harrellson and Stevenson could be interchangeable at the 4 and 5.

Not bad....not bad at all. Of course, of Wall was to sign as well....that becomes a really nice problem to figure out who would start and what the depth chart would look like then! But having a 4 man rotation up front with Patterson, Orton, Harrellson and Stevenson sounds like a win-win situation to me....:icon_mrgreen:

Absolutely, Imagine this frontcourt

Orton, Patterson, Stevenson, D. Miller, Harrellson, AJ Stewart, Hood (sf)

WOW!!!!

BOYS!!!!! Your forgetting about Mathew Pilgrim, hes supposed to be an absolute beast!!!

[ontheroadto8]

I hope his Dad loves it in Kentucky and has a bunch of influence on his decision.

How does "Coach Orten" sound? ;)

[Ukosumu]

From TCP

August 14, 2008
Cats have inside track for Orton (http://kentucky.rivals.com/barrier_noentry.asp?sid=888&script=content.asp&cid=837935&fid=&tid=&mid=)


Jeff Drummond
CatsPause.com

Kentucky appears to have the inside track on one of the elite basketball prospects in the Class of 2009, but those hoping to hear news of a commitment from Daniel Orton may be in for a longer ride than expected.

[matt colvin]

KU and Kentucky are now listed as even for Daniel Orton, following his official to KU.

http://newsok.com/ku-kentucky-top-ortons-list/article/3301427/?tm=1222149305

Tough telling if this is true or not, though. Look for new info. in the next day or two.

[Ukosumu]

KU and Kentucky are now listed as even for Daniel Orton, following his official to KU.

http://newsok.com/ku-kentucky-top-ortons-list/article/3301427/?tm=1222149305

Tough telling if this is true or not, though. Look for new info. in the next day or two.

I think we posted this at the same time...lol
http://www.wildcatnation.net/forum/showthread.php?t=47089

You can remove mine if you wish.

[matt colvin]

It's fine for the time being, I believe. We can consolidate in the next day or two.

[poodoo]

KU and Kentucky are now listed as even for Daniel Orton, following his official to KU.

http://newsok.com/ku-kentucky-top-ortons-list/article/3301427/?tm=1222149305



YIKES! :eek: Let's just hope Big Blue Madness drastically changes that, like resulting in an Orton commitment to Kentucky. :big_grin: