Bahe still close with Wilkes, Padgett
How have former Kansas University basketball players Omar Wilkes and David Padgett been faring with their new teams, Cal and Louisville, respectively?
KU sophomore Nick Bahe is the guy to ask, considering he’s buddies with both players.
Wilkes took a mid-semester trip to Lawrence last weekend to visit Bahe. Padgett has kept in contact with Bahe via instant messaging on the computer.
“Me and ‘O’ are very close. I hadn’t seen him in forever,” Bahe said. “We went to Buffalo Bob’s one night for dinner, hung out. He’s doing well. He’s happy out there. He’s had a chance to hit the weight room and bulk up, same with David.”
Indeed, the 6-foot-4, 195-pound Wilkes and 6-11, 240-pound Padgett have put on 20 and 10 pounds respectively.
“David is bulking up. It will help his game. The bigger you are at his position, the better you’ll play. I can only speak for myself. They are my friends. There’s no hard feelings (that they left),” Bahe said.
Of Padgett, U of L coach Rick Pitino said: “He’s a hard worker. I think he’ll fit in well with us (next season when eligible).
“I’ve always liked the way he ran the floor, and he is willing to be physical inside,” Pitino added of Padgett, who hasn’t played since scoring 10 points and grabbing 11 rebounds total while averaging 7.8 minutes a game in four U.S. victories at the World Championship for Young Men last summer.
Of Wilkes, Cal coach Ben Braun said: “He is a versatile guard who should help strengthen our backcourt and help our program.”
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