Doron Lamb shoots against Princeton in the NCAA tournament earlier this year. (Victoria Graff photo)

By LARRY VAUGHT

Doron Lamb toyed with the idea of leaving Kentucky after UK’s Final Four loss to Connecticut in his freshman season before deciding to stay in college.

“It helps a lot having him back. He was a big part of the run last year and we know he will come back and do the same thing or even more. We are happy to have him and T (Terrence) Jones back and know they will do a lot for us,” said Kentucky senior Darius Miller. “You don’t find many shooters like Doron.”

Lamb averaged 12.3 points per game last year and shot 48.6 percent (68-for-140) from 3-point range and 79 percent (79-for-100) at the foul line. He also had 75 rebounds, 62 assists and 22 steals.

The sophomore shared these thoughts on various subjects.

Question: How difficult was your decision to stay at Kentucky and not enter the NBA draft?
Lamb: “I wanted to come back because I thought my game was not ready yet (for the NBA). I just wanted to work on my game and get ready and try to win a national championship. Me and my parents thought about it for a long time, but we all decided it was best for me to stay.”

Question: What do you think of coach John Calipari’s desire to have you reshape your body and gain weight and strength?
Lamb: “I have been working out since I got back (from break) in the weight room in the morning and running at night on the treadmill. I will keep doing that to get ready for the season.”

Question: Are you working harder now than you did last year?
Lamb: “A lot harder. Last year I didn’t go that hard really. I was just going through the motions a lot. Right now I am working harder to help us win a national championship.”

Question: Do you hope to work harder, win a national championship and then go to the NBA?
Lamb: “I don’t know. I like the sound of that though. I would take it.”

Question: Did the potential NBA lockout factor into your decision to come back to UK?
Lamb: “That did a little bit, but the main thing was to get my body ready and my game ready for the NBA. I need to work on my ballhandling a little bit and my strength. That’s about it.
“I was tempted to test the waters, but I decided just to chill out and get ready for next year.”

Question: What do you envision your role being next season?
Lamb: “I think it will change. I don’t know my role yet. I don’t know how all the new guys play.”

Question: Could you see yourself playing more point guard if needed?
Lamb: “If (freshman Marquis) Teague is not playing good at point guard, maybe. But I think Teague has the role of point guard right now.”

Question: Were you surprised Terrence Jones decided to come back also rather than go to the NBA?
Lamb: “I was surprised about that. I thought he would leave, but I am glad he didn’t. I would have if I was going in the lottery (in the draft). But he decided to stay and I am glad he did and he will make us better.”