John Wall, who John Calipari essentially credits with catalyzing the one-and-done era as we know it, recently spoke with Sports Illustrated's Andrew Sharp, and he quickly hit on a defining difference between college and the pros. Mainly, Washington Wizards fans don't come close to offering the kind of community or support Kentucky's did.

This is no shock, really. Kentucky's fan base is insanely supportive and has become college basketball's most fervent fan base 10 times over ever since Calipari arrived in 2009. Wall described UK's fan as 'amazing' and shared the distinction between what he and his Washington teammates are enduring now compared to what he experienced during his one and only year at Kentucky, in 2009-10.

"Well, it's been tough. Kentucky, they showed me what loyalty is to the game of basketball. Their fans are amazing. They don't have no other sports down there. You love horses, you love basketball. And here? My ultimate goal is to bring a championship here, I don't want to go nowhere. I'm one of those guys that likes to lead, not follow. So when we get to that 50-win point, they'll be happy all over again. I think our fans... They have their ups and downs. And it's tough, because it's like a curse that's been going around with playoff teams. The Nationals lost in the first round, the Redskins will go and they'll lose, we'll make it to the second round and lose. I just want to bring the sense of urgency back. Get us to the Eastern Conference finals, get a chance to make the Finals, see what can happen."

As Wall continues to play at a fairly high level in the NBA, his "legacy" -- if you want to even call it that -- as a Wildcat continues to grow. He's one of the most beloved Kentucky players ever, which is especially impressive given he didn't go to a Final Four and he was only on campus for one season.

But it was Calipari's first season as well. This was after the two-year failed experiment of Billy Gillispie. So Wall represents the promise, success and flamboyance of the Calipari epoch. He is the changing of the guard.

"People think they have to stay four years to have a relationship with the program, the coach," Calipari told CSN Mid-Atlantic a few weeks back. "If they know you love them, if they know you care about them. If they know the city and this university was all about them when they were here, this is home. This is about these kids and that's why they know."

Once you put on a UK uniform, they're going to embrace you for life. It's why Wall is still as connected to Kentucky as he is to Washington. The Big Blue Nation affinity and identity is that strong.