Michael Kidd-Gilchrist returns to Lexington

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Charlotte Hornets forward and 2012 Kentucky National Champion Michael Kidd-Gilchrist returned to Lexington this weekend to host his UK SkillZ and DrillZ Camp and give an update on his progression as an NBA player.

“I always like coming back here and being around everybody,” Kidd-Gilchrist said. “I got a national championship here, so (Kentucky) is always going to be a home for me.”

The SkillZ and DrillZ camp kicked off on its first session on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and the second session begins at 1:30 p.m. and ends at 5 p.m. The camp is open to both boys and girls ages 7-17, and is comprised of skills work, competitions and pickup games.

The NBA forward is heading into his fifth season in the league, and expects it to be one of his most productive years yet. Kidd-Gilchrist played just seven games during the 2015-16 season, suffering a dislocated shoulder and torn right labrum during the preseason, and after a few months of rehab he was back on the court – only to retear his right labrum in February, causing him to miss the remainder of the year.

“I’m all healthy now,” Kidd-Gilchrist told the local media on Saturday. “I’m 200 percent.”

In the seven games he played, Kidd-Gilchrist was on pace to have one of his best seasons, averaging 12.7 points on 54.1 percent shooting and 6.4 rebounds. Those numbers, expect for rebounding, were all career-high averages.

Joining Kidd-Gilchrist in Charlotte was fellow Kentucky star Aaron Harrison. The rookie averaged 4.4 minutes and shot 41.7 percent last season, but was good enough in the NBA Summer League to earn his way into the rotation in 2016.

“I showed him the ropes a little bit,” Kidd-Gilchrist said. “He was my rook.”

Despite the Kentucky connection, Kidd-Gilchrist didn’t allow Harrison any freebies when it came to rookie duty. The rookie had to do Kidd-Gilchrist’s laundry and get his lunch.

Now it’s Charlotte’s turn to go get its own lunch per say, as the Hornets were bounced from the playoffs in round one against the Miami heat last year. It was just the second time the organization has made the playoffs since the 2010-11 season.

But with Kidd-Gilchrist and the rest of his teammates healthy, he believes the team can keep the momentum going in the right direction. It also doesn’t hurt that his jump shot has improved.

“It’s well,” Kidd-Gilchrist said with a smile on his face. “You’ll see this season.”