As if you needed another reason to be giddy about John Wall, Coach Cal spoke with Andy Katz about the freshman soon-to-be phenom:

I can't wait 'til I can start using pictures of Wall in UK blue instead of Word of God purple

Kentucky coach John Calipari has already seen freshman guard John Wall being tabbed as a possible national player of the year. But he’s not certain Wall will put up the numbers on a balanced team to command that honor. Obviously, Wall could fail to win national player of the year and still be the top pick in the 2010 draft.

When was the last time that happened? Two years ago, when Calipari’s most recent elite point guard, Derrick Rose, was the top pick in the draft but wasn’t the player of the year.

The comparison to Calipari’s past two freshmen lead guards is hard to ignore. Calipari coached Rose and Tyreke Evans for one season at Memphis before they both became lottery picks. Rose led the Tigers to the national title game while Evans led them to another Conference USA title and a berth in the Sweet 16.

“He’s way beyond both Tyreke and Derrick in being outgoing,” Calipari said of Wall. Calipari said Evans practically lived in the practice facility, watching television, doing school work and lounging in the offices before spending time making free throws.

Calipari said Wall will do some of the same things, like shooting at 11 p.m., but will also hang with the players in social settings. With that, he can already feel comfortable enough to tell a player to do the right thing on the court without any hesitation. The respect is already in place for Wall among his teammates.

“He has a chance to be like the other two and may be a little further ahead with the dribble-drive,” Calipari said. “We need to see if he’ll be where they were at the end of the season. We won’t know that yet.”