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Wildcat Coaches Impress Chapman Family
Rex Ends Suspense; Picks Big Blue
By Nick Nicholas
BASKETBALL HOTBED, KY - The
speculation is over and the answer is clear. . .Rex Chapman has decided to don the blue and white of the University Of Kentucky.
In a press conference last Saturday morning at the Owensboro Executive-Inn Rivermont before close to 200 viewers on hand, Chapman narrowed his choice to one fortunate institution. But before announcing his intentions, the 6-foot-4'A,All-State guard from Apollo High School had these words to say:
"Some people thought it was down to two or three schools. But I can say that all six schools were greatly considered up until yesterday when I made my decision. However, one school seemed to have everything that I was looking for  the whole packagae. That's why I decided to further my academics and athletics at the University of Kentucky"
When the words "University of Kentucky" echoed from Chapman's mouth, the crowd in. . .get this, the Kentucky room, let out a cheer that was probably heard throughout Lexington.
As well as the local media, represenatives from Lexington, Louisville, Evansville and Bowling Green were in attendance to cover the event. Most of the crowd packed into the room were family, friends and fans of the popular Apollo phenom.
Thus, Rex Everett Chapman becomes the first Owensboro area player signed by UK since his father, former Daviess County All-State performer Wayne Chapman, took his talents to Lexington in 1963.
For Chapman, who averaged 27.5 points per game last season and is considered the top candidate for Kentucky's Mr. Basketball, the announcement ends a long, difficult process which heated up last March. A politeful person and a cool competitor, the youngster had previously narrowed his selection to six. And up until Friday Louisville, Kentucky Wesleyan, Western Kentucky, North Carolina and Georgia Tech, along with Kentucky, were still in the running.
And if Chapman rated the finish of this wild race for his commitment it would have been closer than most people predicted.
Said Chapman, "They were all really close; like one or two points separated them."
For all six schools. Rex?
"Yes."
Much to the delight of Wildcat fans, however, Eddie Sutton and Co. won the services of whom many consider one of Kentucky's great all-time prepsters.
"I feel that Coach Sutton and his staff are really great people," said Chapman. "Just in the short time that I've known them I've really grown to like them a lot. The team members on Kentucky's team are really great people. .I'm just happy that I can make this decision
"I don't know of any three people  Coach Sutton, Coach (Leonard) Hamilton and Coach (James) Dickey  that are so loyal. Through all of this (recruiting process) they kept their word and haven't bothered me as much as some It's great to know that you're going to a school that has the great tradition and people who care about you.
"1 believe any kind of problems that I have, I can go to any of the three coaches; and no mat ter what it is they'll help me out with it."
Chapman's family and high school coach also had enormous praise for the new Wildcat boss.
"I was very impressed," said Apollo coach John Whitmer about Sutton. "He seemed to be a gentleman. He was concerned about Rex, his program and his family. He seemed to be a down-to-earth type person.
"I didn't notice him telling me anything that I felt was untrue. He made some commitments and kept them."
"He's a tremendous individual," said Wayne Chapman. "He's forthright, honest, and down
to-earth. I look forward to my son playing under him."
When asked about Sutton's reaction to the announcement. Rex stated, "He was excited."
Playing either the 'one' or 'two' guard for Kentucky is not of high priority for the prep senior. Devoting hard work for his freshman campaign was more on his mind.
"Hopefully I can go in next fall and really work hard to where I can sec some playing time my freshman year." indicated Chapman.
people has a lot to do with it. As a guard that's what you're kind of looking for."
UK's second commitment of the season can do it all  score, handle the ball, exceptional jumping ability, good defensive skills and more. You name it he can do it.
"I'm not showing any favoritism but I think he's about the best high school player I've ever seen," said Apollo backcourt mate Greg Baughn, who recently signed with Kentucky Wesleyan.
Rex Chapman
Asked if he liked UK's three-guard offense against the Czechoslovakia team, Chapman replied, "That was appealing."
Sutton's work with past Arkansas guards was also an intluencial factor in his decision. UK's first-year coach is known for teaching guards to play the tough man-to-man "D'.
"He's got four or five guards in the NBA." Chapman noted. "The way he's worked with them and developed them defensively and as
Baughn should recognize talent when he sees it. Last season his Eagle team faced Louisville Seneca, which featured all-staters Tony Kimbro and Keith Williams, both of whom are freshmen on the UofL basketball team. Baughn was also a member of the state's junior all-star team that toured Europe.
"He does everything; he handles the ball, he shoots the ball and rebounds," Baughn said. "All-American is the word for him."
The Apollo head mentor feels Chapman will fit into Sutton's plans nicely.
The fact that Coach Sutton started three guards the other night gives you an idea that he ikes to run," Whitmer said. "And Rex likes to run because it helps his offense and helps his defense. He's got quick hands but he's also got quick feet. "He can cover a lot of the floor." Rumors had circulated throughout the state that Apollo's boywonder might takes his talents elsewhere because of the recent Lexington Herald-Leader allegations toward UK's program. Chapman, though, believes that the NCAA, due to when the alleged wrongdoings took place, will not issue a probation sentence to his future ball club.
"I don't really know a whole lot about what's really going on," Chapman said. "I just know that it doesn't have anything to do with the present UK coaching staff or the present team. It doesn't seem that anything can really happen."
His mother, Laura Chapman was a little more worried about the chances of Kentucky being put on probation. She, however, seems confident that everything will be alright.
"It was probably more of a consideration for Wayne and myself," said Laura Chapman." (However, Rex) talked with Coach Sutton, Coach Dickey and Coach Hamilton about this, extensively.
"We just really sort of came to the conclusion that we're going to put our faith in them (the coaching staff). We have, hopefully, great faith in the fairness of the NCAA. We felt like it (the H-L's allegations) was history. No one can perceive what is going to happen, but I think the pros of their situation far outweigh the cons.
"Basically, he felt like he would be happy in Lexington. With his grandmother (Mayme Hamby) there, he's looking forward to home cooked meals."
With Chapman's verbal commitment, Kentucky now has corralled two players for the 1986-87 season. Pulaski County's 6-7 forward Reggie Hanson has officially signed a letter of intent to attend UK. Hanson, who's only 17 years old, and Chapman are already good friends. Both also toured Europe with the Kentucky junior all-star team this past summer. And Chapman has nothing but praise for his future teammate.
"Reggie is really a great player," commented Chapman. "In my opinion I think he can be in the top 15 or 20 (players) in the nation."
"I talked to Reggie last night and told him that I was going to come. He was really happy. . I think we're going to have a great career at Kentucky."
"He's crazy about Reggie," said Laura Chapman. "I don't know if they should be roommates, though. They've talked about that.
"They would be like the odd couple because. . .he (Hanson) is the neatest (person) and Rex is a slob," laughed his mother.
Hanson was not the only player Chapman called. Former Kentucky Mr. Basketball, Winston Bennett, was suddenly contacted Friday night by the Owensboro native.
"He called Winston last night (Friday)," noted Rex's mother. "Winston howled and he said, 'Well, we're going to have to wake up the ole parents.' This was about 2 (a.m.) in the morning. He (Bennett) said, 'I'm just so excited.'"
Attending and graduating from a state school, such as Kentucky, can benefit anyone who plans to earn an income in that state. Planning for the years to come is exactly what this young man has in mind.
"I hope after four years I'll be prepared to play in the NBA," Chapman said. If I can't, I hope to work hard during the time I'm in school, to be prepared for 'after college.'
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