Through the help from Russ Blake at the JUCO championship in Hutchinson, Kansas, a phone interview was arranged with outstanding swingman Antwain Barbour.

We thank Barbour for taking time out before his practice yesterday to answer our questions and some questions from fans. Mike Sullivan directly asked these questions via a phone with Blake's help. Thanks to Russ too for helping arrange this.

Here are the questions and answers:

catskpujumpinlikkangaroos Benchwarmer Member # 3814 posted 03-21-2002 01:55 PM

When will you be arriving in Lexington?and, What number would you like to wear?

Antwain Barbour: It's likely going to be either summer or fall. I am anxious to get to Lexington and start working on building more strength. I plan on wearing number 33.

Flounder Starter Member # 1742 posted 03-21-2002 02:05 PM Thanks for this opportunity. If you could choose one current or recent college player who plays a similar style to yours, who would it be?

Antwain Barbour: The one I hope people say and one that I believe is Ray Allen. He is a great player that does everything on the court. I like to be like him in the way he plays his game.

BigBlu_2002 Starter Member # 168 posted 03-21-2002 02:07 PM

Obviously UK has a log jam at your position next year. If Tubby decides to start someone besides you, would you accept a sixth man role or would you have a problem with not starting?

Antwain Barbour: Whatever coach Smith wants to do, I will do. I won't have a choice. I just want to play. I will try my best to win a lot of playing time. That's what I plan to do when I get to Kentucky. But if coach Smith wants me to come off he bench, I will do that. But I am going to try and win as much playing time as a I can.

BoulderCat Starter Member # 48 posted 03-21-2002 02:07 PM

Well the question I would liked ask is Antwain, when will you make your decision on whether your going to enter the NBA draft or come to Kentucky, and which way do you see it going at this point in time?

Antwain Barbour: I haven't thought about it much. Right now I am only thinking about helping my team win the championship here and then playing college ball at Kentucky. That's the way I am leaning. If I am to think about it, it won't be until a month or so.

oracle Benchwarmer Member # 859 posted 03-21-2002 02:09 PM

If Keith Bogans stays at UK for his senior year will this affect your decision on whether or not to turn pro? I ask this because it was stated that you wanted to attend a school where you could get as much PT as possible since you only have two years at the NCAA level.

Antwain Barbour: It doesn't matter what Keith does at this point. It would be great to play with a player like Keith. I am good friends with him and he is a great player. So it doesn't matter what he does.

UKBlue25 Benchwarmer Member # 4053 posted 03-21-2002 02:18 PM

How will it feel to have the opportunity to wear the winningest uniform in college basketball history?And when UK retires your jersey--will you tear up or just smile really big?Also what is your NCAA Championship Ring size?

Antwain Barbour: It's going to feel great. Kentucky has a great basketball tradition. There is a lot of pride wearing the Kentucky uniform. I think I will take it one step at a time (Barbour laughs regarding retired jersey question). I don't know what my ring size is but it would be nice to win another JUCO title and then win an NCAA championship.

Wyvern Starter Member # 567 posted 03-21-2002 03:25 PM

What would you consider to be your biggest weakness as a player? What about your greatest strength?

Antwain Barbour: My biggest weakness is my strength. I have to get stronger. Once I get to Kentucky I want to get into the weight room and be better conditioned. Kentucky has great facilities for that too. My greatest strength is my ability to score from three different positions.

Antwain, looking forward to seeing you play for the Cats. Having a low post presence next year with Jason Parker returning will open up the floor for others and I think you'll benefit greatly.

Now to the question: have you ever played a defense similar to Kentucky's "ball-line" defense. Or even more basically, do you understand it? A lot of Kentucky fans don't :).

Antwain Barbour: I understand it. It's the game I like to play. You have to play up in your face type of defense. You have to be intense and try to deny the ball and pass. I love playing that style.

Hello Antwain.

I have followed your career since your first year at E-Town (NHHS grad here :)

I'm looking forward to you becoming a Wildcat and I was wondering, what do you think it was that clicked for you at the end of your senior year and into the state tourney? You were always a very good player but something very noticable took you to a much higher level of play I thought. Can you pinpoint what it might have been? A realization of your physical ability? An natural maturing?

Thanks for your time and I look forward to your continued success, as we are proud of you here in Radcliff...as well as the whole county.

Antwain Barbour: Thank you. I had a great time playing in high school. I think what happened was everyone realized that I could play when I played in Rupp Arena. There was more exposure at that time. I felt my game was really coming on before that. But once people saw me in Rupp Arena, a lot more people noticed me.

Antwain:

Did you grow up a Wildcats fan?

If so, who were your favorite players?

Antwain Barbour: I did not. I grew up being a Louisville fan. But some of my favorite Kentucky players are Antoine Walker, D Anderson, and Ron Mercer.

Have you had the oportunity to play any pick up with any of the Kentucky players? Have you formed friendships with any of them?

Antwain Barbour: Yes, I played a lot of pickup ball with them. I am friends with a lot of Kentucky players like Keith Bogans, Rashaad Carruth, and Chuck Hayes. They are all great guys and fun to play with.

Who are the toughest ball players you have faced in school and out of school? Where do you see yourself playing at Kentucky 1 2 or 3? If you didn't go to KY. where would you have gone? Is the NBA still a possibility? Who do you pattern your game after? The highlight of your basketball life? How come you are not playing in the Derby Classic?

Antwain Barbour: The toughest in school player is Tony Allen. He is a great player who can do everything. James Brewer was the toughest player for me out of school. I see myself playing each of those positions. Really, it's up to coach Smith. Wherever he wants me to play, I will play. I just want to play. I probably would have gone to either Cincinnati or UNLV if I didn't go to Kentucky. The highlight of my basketball life is winning the state championship. I don't know why (regarding Derby Classic). I never got an invite.

Great watching you as a SR at Elizabetown,Could you give me your opinion on the type of player your teamates John Hollingsworth and Tony Allen are. Both seem to be great complementary players on your top flight team thanks

Antwain Barbour: John is not here anymore but Tony Allen is a great player. He is the toughest for me. He does so many things well.