By LARRY VAUGHT

He’s adjusted to a heavier academic schedule and more daily competition on the basketball court, but Monique Cousins says her son, DeMarcus, has enjoyed his first summer in Lexington and is eager to start his first season under John Calipari.

“Sure, it’s a big transition to college,” she said Thursday. “But he is embracing it and taking it head on. It’s harder to get used to the academics along with the athletics in college, but he says the summer helped him do that.”

The best news might be that the talented Cousins, who was one of the nation’s top five recruits, is not overwhelmed by the attention from fans.

“For him, it started in the ninth grade when he would sign autographs. It’s hard growing up under a microscope like he did. He learned early how to adjust and not go out as much or if he did go out, people would come around. He’s used to the attention,” she said. “So being at a mall in Lexington and being embraced by fans is nothing new. He knows if he goes to the mall or something, it also entails spending more than he might really want to because people will want to talk to him. It’s just routine.”

While he’s had some typical “growing pains” this summer, she says greeting UK fans has not been a problem. “He doesn’t mind signing autographs. He loves kids and being with them is natural for him,” she said. “He just has to know how to make the right choices in public. If you don’t, you learn and keep trying. But I am confident he’s having a good time with all that.”

What about the basketball and daily competition from teammates?

“He has enjoyed the basketball a lot. The players and the daily challenge are good for him. It’s good for him to be with more competitive players because that makes him raise his level of play,” she said. “With kids, I think there is a natural tendency to be lazy or not work as hard when you don’t have to. Now basketball is more challenging and more interesting. His focus is different. The bar is set much, much higher. He is really competitive and wants to reach that bar and then some.”

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