Walk-on departs, Harris hobbled

Walk-on Jarvis Walker, a younger brother of former Kentucky player Antoine Walker, has left the team, UK Coach Billy Gillispie said at a Friday news conference.

Walker faced a difficult challenge maintaining his academic eligibility and fell short, Gillispie said. Walker hopes to continue playing, probably at a NAIA school.

Back spasms put in doubt the status of Ramon Harris on Friday. Harris had to be helped off the court and couldn’t complete practice, Gillispie said. The spasms were unrelated to the injury Harris sustained in a head-to-head collision with teammate Michael Porter during the Lamar game, Gillispie said.

Kentucky plays Florida Atlantic on Saturday.

Gillispie spoke of how well the players returned to the task at hand after the Christmas break. “Probably better than any team that has come back, as far as intensity,” he said.

Gillispie noted how UK must improve, particularly in executing a half-court offense.