Q&A: Malik Newman's dad updates recruitment

BENTON, Ky. - Horatio Webster, the father of five-star Jackson, Miss., shooting Malik Newman, spoke with reporters after Newman's Callaway High school team lost to Archbishop Carroll of Pennsylvania 76-65 Friday night at the Marshall County Hoop Fest. Newman, who is a top recruiting target of the University of Kentucky, scored 35 points in the game. Webster, a former player at Mississippi State, gave an update on his son's recruitment.

Do you like seeing this kind of fan turnout in Kentucky?

I do, I do. The Big Blue Nation. The ones that are here (in Marshall County) must have could not get into the game tonight (in Lexington).

What do you like about the University of Kentucky?

What can you not like about Kentucky? Kentucky is a program that speaks for itself. Coach Cal does a great job. Kentucky is Kentucky. You see what they're doing now. There's nothing to not like about Kentucky. You have got to really love everything about Kentucky.

Does Malik fit in with that style?

I think so. They play our style of basketball.

Thoughts on the family's unofficial visit for Big Blue Madness?

It was crazy. I've never seen anything like it. It was amazing. I've always heard or watched it on TV, but to just be there and see the fans and be around the city, it was unbelievable. Unbelievable.

Did you get to see practice?

Yes, we got to catch three of their practices. That was good. Cal does a great job with them.

Anything that stands out about his coaching style?

Everything about his style. Cal is a player's coach. Anytime you have a coach that's shipped guys to the NBA the way he does, you've got to love that.

Does Malik have a list at this point?

No, he doesn't.

He visited Mississippi State recently, correct? What's your take on them, considering you played there?

Well, not visited. He went up for a football game.

Do you want him to go there to Mississippi State?

I'll be honest with you. I'm not going to have any influence on that. I'm going to let Malik make that decision. Whatever happens with his career, he's responsible for, not me, so I'm going to stay out of that.

Are you a proud Mississippi State alum? Do you love your alma mater?

Yeah, I am, but Malik didn't go to Mississippi State so that don't have any bearing on Malik. Malik is going to make his own decision, and I hope he makes the right decision. We'll take it from there.

What's the draw of Ole Miss?

I think he likes Coach (Andy) Kennedy's style of play. He also likes Coach (Rick) Ray's style of play (at Mississippi State). Both of them are up-and-coming programs.

He's visited both Mississippi schools and Kentucky? Any other unofficials?

No, he hasn't.

When is he going to do his official visits?

We may do some here soon like over the Christmas break. We may take a couple. … None are set right now.

Is there any fear that there might be too many guards at Kentucky? Is that a factor at all, with Isaiah Briscoe and Devin Booker and Tyler Ulis?

No, I don't think that has any bearing on Malik. At the end of the day, wherever he goes, he's going to have to play.

Is there a plan about coming to a decision or a timeframe?

He's signing late. That's all he told me. My wife asked me as late as last night, 'Where do you think he's going?' I said, 'I have no idea.' We're not even talking about it.

How often does he talk about recruiting?

He doesn't at all.

A year or two years ago, he said he never even watched college basketball. Is that still the case?

He has started watching it now. Back then he wasn't, but as it's closer, he'll start watching and paying attention to style of play, you know, Kansas, Kentucky, Connecticut, N.C. State, everybody.

What does Malik like about Kansas?

Everything. I mean, again, that's Kansas basketball. … He likes Kansas.

What has Calipari said to you guys about Malik?

We don't have enough time to talk about what Cal's saying. (Laughing.) Cal's a great guy. He really is. Cal don't really recruit. His program speaks for itself, so he doesn't really need to say much. I talk to Kenny Payne almost every day of my life. That's my guy.

What do you remember it being like playing in Rupp Arena and playing against Kentucky?

It was tough. That was a tough place to play in. It was a tough place for anybody to get a win in. Now they say it's even worse.

What was your record against Kentucky?

We never won; you know that. (laughing.) We never won any SEC games. We were 15-0 until SEC play. We may have won one or two. I can't say I ever went into Rupp and won a game.