Former Kentucky Wildcats keep close tabs on each other

Eric Bledsoe can't wait to run into his former Kentucky teammates on the NBA hardwood in the years to come.

The encounters, however, won't be just about catching up and rehashing old times. The five Wildcats chosen in the first round of June's draft also will be out for bragging rights.

"All of us are competitors," said Bledsoe, a guard for the Los Angeles Clippers. "I think we're going to try to compete during the season. Everybody's going to try to go for that rookie trophy."

Statistically, the odds are good that one of the Kentucky products will be named Rookie of the Year.

Washington guard John Wall (drafted No. 1), Sacramento center DeMarcus Cousins (No. 5), Houston forward Patrick Patterson (No. 14), Bledsoe (No. 18) and Orlando center Daniel Orton (No. 29) are the first quintet in draft history to be chosen in the first round from the same school.

"It's extremely special from the standpoint of making history, setting a milestone for the university and ourselves," Patterson said.

Four of the five players have been in Las Vegas this week at the NBA Summer League. Orton made his professional debut at the Orlando, Fla., venue.

In Las Vegas, the players have made a concerted effort to attend each other's games. Wall has sat courtside at several of the games involving his old running mates.

"We still have that same brotherhood since UK," Cousins said.

Many consider the 6-foot-11-inch Cousins the top player at the event, having dazzled onlookers with his combination of power and athleticism on the low block.

Wall isn't far behind, if at all. He has been impressive not only with his play, but how he has handled himself amidst capacity crowds, a crush of media attention and the highest of high expectations.

Wall had 21 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds in a win over Dallas on Thursday. After the game, the first thing the humble point guard talked about was shooting 4-for-19 from the field.

"There's a whole lot I've got to work on," said Wall, who had 31 points on 10-for-23 shooting Friday in a 90-89 victory over New Orleans. "You can get better every day, so I've got to work on everything, not just one specific thing."

Bledsoe said the five players share a bond based on their draft-night landmark, and he was glad four of them could cut their teeth together in Las Vegas.

"It's history," he said. "For us to do that and then come and perform to high expectations, it's been great."

"We try to go to each other's games as much as possible. We try to stay in touch and see how each other are doing."

All but Patterson, who entered the draft as a junior, spent only one year at Kentucky. Although they'll push each other for Rookie of the Year, they are also quick to come to each other's defense.

Patterson said predraft criticisms of Cousins' maturity and work ethic were unfounded.

"People say he has a bad attitude and he's immature," Patterson said. "Now they see him (in Las Vegas) and they say, 'Maybe we were wrong about him.' They're starting to see DeMarcus as we've seen him the entire year."

Surrounded by a throng of reporters after Thursday's game, Wall was asked how he felt about having three former teammates in Las Vegas with him to make their debuts together.

Bledsoe and the Clippers were warming up on the court a few feet away.

"It means a lot," Wall said. "I'm about to watch Eric play for a little bit."

Contact reporter Tristan Aird at taird@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203.