By LARRY VAUGHT
He’s contemplating his future not only as a basketball player, but also has a father. However, Kentucky junior DeAndre Liggins’ fiancee, Jasmine Horton, wants to make sure everyone understands that he is making sure to be a supportive father for their young son, Braycn DeAndre Liggins.
She took the time to post on vaughtsviews.com earlier this season after Liggins shared his feelings for his son in a February interview and talked about how much he loved him.
“He is an amazing dad and although he has been very busy, he does whatever he can for our son,†said Horton. “Our son is very alert (for being three months old) and likes to watch games on TV whenever Dre comes up. Dre has taken extra time to be there for his son since his father is deceased and I want everyone to understand that.â€Â
The couple met two years ago at a dorm cafeteria at UK.
“We started out as friends and then began dating,†Horton said. “He was really a nice guy. I am a year ahead of him in school and I didn’t even follow basketball until I started dating him.â€Â
She’s seen a huge transformation in Liggins on the court. He’s gone from struggling to get along with coach Billy Gillispie his freshman year to maturing and improving the last two seasons under John Calipari to where he was regarded as one of the nation’s best defensive players this season.
“I am very, very proud of him. Him and Gillispie were not that close, but with Cal he is a totally different person,†Horton said. “Cal has brought out the best in him. There were a lot of down times with coach Gillispie.
“I think it is too bad that more people do not see all of Dre’s personality like I do. He is such a kind, caring person. He would give you the shirt off his back. People judge him too often on his attitude on the court, which for a long time was based on how he was treated by his other coach.
“But if you could see him with his son. It’s funny to see them together. The baby is huge. He is going to ball, too. He’s already 14 pounds and 24 1/2 inches long. I am very short, but the baby is going to be taller than Dre. His hands and feet are big. He’s very alert and he watched games  DeAndre’s family got him a bunch of UK outfits  to see his dad play. When they are together, if he cries, DeAndre turns on basketball or cartoons on TV to make him stop crying. He likes his ball already.â€Â
The infant went to several late-season games, but the normal ritual for Horton and her son was to watch Liggins play on TV and then wait for him to come see them in Cincinnati.
“He would always call right after the game to see if we watched and for me to critique him. Then when I tell him he laughs and says I don’t know anything about basketball,†she said. “But I do know how little time he had. I am very understanding and I always knew he would take time to come or do whatever he could to help.â€Â
Horton credits Calipari and his staff for also making sure Liggins had time to be involved.
“His coach would make sure he would get here and back to see the baby. If his schedule was stressful, the coaches knew it was important for him to see his son,†Horton said. “The baby even got to meet coach Cal and everybody with the team when we went to the game, and DeAndre had a great game that time. Coach Cal even told him he played so well because the baby was there.â€Â
Liggins is debating what to do about his future. He averaged 8.6 points and 4.0 rebounds per game last season and led UK with 43 steals. He dramatically improved his 3-point shooting and shot 39 percent (36-for-92). He also had 96 assists, second on the team.
However, his forte was becoming a lockdown defender and as valued as that trait is in college, it doesn’t translate to becoming a first-round draft pick. Liggins is not listed in the first two rounds of any NBA mock draft and would likely have to go overseas to play if he decided to give up his final year at Kentucky.
Horton doesn’t know what he’ll do. However, she’s returning to classes at UK this summer.
“That way we will both have our degrees,†she said. “My plan is for us to both be back there full-time together unless something happens I am not expecting.â€Â
29 Responses to DeAndre Liggins is an “amazing dad”
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Liggins is a top notch defender. But, going pro, without the guaranteed money of being a first round pick, is not a risk that I would take.
Another great story. What a beautiful baby boy. Dre is going to be successful in life no matter what he does. The fact that the coaches are involved so much that he gets time to see his family is nothing short of AMAZING. Cal and those guys are doing a super job.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. GO BLUE OR STAY HOME! ! ! !
I have watched Deandre go from being an immature boy to a man in the past 3 years…..he will make the right decision for his family. I am confident of that!
I think he would agree that another season to polish his offense and become a consistent scorer would know doubt help his draft status. In the long term, playing in the NBA versus over sees would be healthier for his family as well.
Your stories touch our hearts, Larry! I have no doubt that DeAndre will do his family proud. I wish him and Jasmine the best of luck and a happy future together!
Great story. And, Jasmine, thank you for taking time to share your thoughts, and hopes, and dreams. I have talked to DeAndre at the Women’s Clinic each year he was in school. The transformation from a boy to a man has been amazing. He appears a little shy; but, once you start talking to him, he sparkles. I know this will be a great family – full of love. Congratulations to both of you for working on the finishing of your degrees.
Great story, Larry. Jasmine, thanks for sharing your story and the great photographs of the three of you. I love the UK clothes! Deandre has come a long way since he came to UK, and has truly become one of those guys we fans love to cheer both on and off the court. Best of luck to the three of you!
What a touching story. Thanks for sharing, Larry. They make a sweet-looking family.
Thanks Larry. I sure wish and pray good things come to the Liggins family.
Beautiful baby boy. Almost brings a tear to my eye to see that cute kid in UK gear.
The mom seems very nice and very supportive DeAndre as well. Glad she is working towards finishing that degree. Not easy as a mom but the sacrifice and commitment will help both momma, baby and daddy down the road.
Whatever Liggins decides to do I will say prayers and be in his corner. I do believe he can make pro money in the near future. But am glad that it sounds like Liggins is on the road to graduating next year which is also helpful.
Great story Larry. It is important to see the guys as people too and not just players.
Love doing stories like this to let all of you know the real sides of these guys and their lives. She does indeed seem special and DeAndre is so proud of that little guy
I would love to see DeAndre come back for his senior season, but I wish him the best no matter what he decides. Family always comes first.
I hope and Pray nothing but the best for him and his wonderful family. I do however have an opinion on what he should do. I am outside looking in,and have no idea what they need as a family. I just thank that finishing there degree would be so much more helpful than anything he could do. My reason is you know a player can get hurt at anytime. It could be a car wreck or anything. That degree will last a life time, and you will always be able to get a good job to support your family, if you can or cant play ball. Just my thoughts, Liggins you have become my favorite Kentucky player in a long time. Thanks for what you do and mean to this team, this University, this state, and on and on. I will be Praying for you and your family. I think God has been watching over you though. Good luck in all you do.
I honestly think DeAndres attitude was infectious to our younger guys this year and he brought a ton of energy defensively. We had to have a guy like Boogie last year with that toughness to them and DeAndre brought that. I think he will definately play in the league soon. He needs a little more consistent jumper and to improve his handling a little and he’ll be great. His defense and drive is what separates him. That jumper will come. Whatever DeAndre decides I wish him the best. He became my favorite player on last years team and I’d love to see him get a senior day, but if he goes pro I’ll wish him the best of luck. I think he’ll be a better pro than most expect. Great story.
Great Story. D (that is all we need to call him) should come back so he can one day show his son what hard work and determination can do: win a championship! (If his 3 at the end of the semi-final had gone in, he would be an all-time legend because we would have bull-dozed Butler for number 8.
Man, why doesn’t the herald-leader have writers like you?
I do think he will be back, but he does want to find a way to make sure he can take care of his son
What a great read. Thanks for sharing your story with BBN Jasmine and to you Larry for publishing it. DeAndre has indeed come a long way during his tenure at UK. He’s transformed himself right before our very eyes and wiped away any misconceptions that many may have had about him in the past. He’s grown as a player but, more importantly, he’s matured into a person who is a great representative for the University. Congrats to DeAndre and his wonderful family and best wishes for the future…..I see another lockdown defender in UK’s future 17 years down the road!!!
What a great story. Can we go ahead and get a commit from little Dre?
I have personally watched his transformation from when he had bad habits with an old roommate of mine and that was years ago. To see where he has ended up is amazing.
@Jeff, the LHL doesn’t have writers like Larry is because they have no class and wouldn’t know a good writer if it bit them in their ‘circulation’. If you want to read the real story, the truth, no rumors or nastiness you come to Larry’s blog and get your info. Go Cats! (PS…I do remember one story Larry let his evil twin brother take over but that one doesn’t count, it was called for at the time.) Go Cats!
Great story Larry. It is good for fans to see the other side of the players lives. Their lives off the court. I agree with everyone when they said the growth in Liggins has been tremendous. He has learned to trust his teammates and coaches and it has transformed him on and off the court. I love Deandre’s game and would love to see him back for his senior year. However, he has to do what is best for him and his family.
Marry the father of your child and you will truly become a great father.
GR8T story Larry,best wishes to the Liggins family
Larry, is it okay if I link your article on Cats Illustrated? This article is well written and I think every fan should read this! Being a father of two beautiful young ladies, it is great to see young men like Dre be a great role model for his son and other kids out there. I really hope he stays another year at UK for my own selfish reasons but there is no way that I can knock this kid if he decides to leave for pro ball to make a better living for his family! Thanks for another great article Larry and good luck Dre!
Never mind Larry! I totally missed where someone had already posted it over there! GO BIG BLUE!!!
Thanks Wildcat. Always glad to share links that credit people’s work. Try to do the same. Now I don’t like the sites that just grab the work and make it look like theirs, but Steve Jones at Cats Illustrated is a really good guy. In fact, I had a small — and emphasis on small — hand in training him years ago
You cant help but be happy for DeAndre. This guy comes from a tough background, but he doesnt use that as a crutch. He has been blessed. Blessed with talent to play ball, and blessed that he arrived at UK and now has Cal as a mentor, the father figure that he longed for. I’m happy to read that he is being a father. There are a lot of men out there that should follow his lead, grow up, and be a father. He’ll be back next year, no doubt in my mind. He can be a NBA pick after next season, and even if he isnt, he has a college degree. I dont see him leaving early bc of the reality of having to go overseas…he’s not gonna leave his son. We’re proud of you DeAndre!!
Wish Dre and his family all the best! Love to have him back but support whatever decision he makes.
Larry, you know how I love DeAndre. It’s because of that gentle love within his own heart, something that I think can be seen within his eyes (along with his having experienced a pretty significant amount of pain, unfortunately). Again, it’s DeAndre who occupies the biggest and softest spot in my heart, and getting to see his adorable son here (especially that shot of him in the UK tee) has been SO special. Thanks a million — and may DeAndre someday be making a million to take care of that little fellow he so loves.
STill believe he will be back. Will have more on him Thursday or Friday