Scroll to the bottom for the photo gallery | Behind-the-scenes video

Roll out the red carpet – Kentucky’s biggest and brightest basketball stars are in town.

That’s exactly what deSha’s did Sunday night as the popular downtown Lexington restaurant hosted a VIP reception to kick off the “Pros vs. Dominican Republic” two-game series.

Decorating the corner of Main and Broadway with a red carpet and photo backdrop, Sunday’s reception had the small-town feel of a Hollywood movie premiere. Camera bulbs flashed as the who’s who of Lexington and members of both teams posed for pictures.

DeMarcus Cousins, Tayshaun Prince, Keith Bogans and other former UK stars stopped on the red carpet to speak with the media before heading inside to the reception. We’ve got all the quotes from their media availability below, including a photo gallery from Sunday’s festivities.

Two news items that came out of Sunday’s reception: Dominican Republic center Charlie Villanueava is battling an Achilles injury and may not play in the exhibition games. Also, former Morehead State coach Wayne Martin was added to the coaching staff for Monday’s game.

Without further ado, here are the quotes the players and coaches who spoke Sunday night:

John Calipari (Dominican Republic head coach)

John Calipari laughs with former UK head coach and Dominican Republic assistant Joe B. Hall.

On what he was wearing Sunday night …
“Who am I wearing? I’m wearing my Latin clothes. I’m coaching a Latin team wearing Latin clothes.”

On how he feels about the Dominican Republic team heading into Monday’s game …
“Charlie has an Achilles issue so I don’t know if he’s going to play. We’ve got to figure out if he’s out too long, can we have him on the roster or not, so our numbers are down. They’re starting to get a feel for each other. We’re not real good in transition defense, but we’re not real good in pick-and-roll, but we do not share the ball real good either, so other than that we’re doing great. It’s fine. I’m enjoying it. We were going two-a-days and they were 18-hour days. I just said, ‘What am I doing?’ It’s August and I said, ‘You know what guys? We should probably just go once a day.’ So we’ve been going once a day. Look, this is going to be really hard because this team coming in is really talented. They’re really talented. I also believe some of our guys will feel some of the squeeze. (With) 25,000, it’ll be you’re on the road. But it’ll be fun. We’ll see where we’re at.”

On what shape the former UK players are in to give the Dominican team a test …
“They’ll be fine because they knew three weeks ago they were doing this and they were all like, ‘Send us balls. We want the FIBA ball.’ They’ve been talking. They’ve been calling each other now. They wanted to come in a day early to get a practice in. In their mind, they’re not losing this game. (Rajon) Rondo practiced and he’s working out at nights. Tayshaun same deal. It’ll be good. It’s not going to be an all-star game. That’s not what this will be, nor do I want it to be. In other words (there won’t be a lot of) breakaways, don’t touch anybody. They’re trying to win. I know we’re trying to win, I know they’re trying to win. It should be interesting.”

On the atmosphere he’s expecting Monday night in Rupp Arena …
“It’ll be crazy. The only thing I’m saying is I know how they’re going to treat (Joe B. Hall). It was really nice to see Coach Hall get what he deserves, the accolades. I just want everybody to treat Coach (Denny) Crum the same way. And I think our fans will. Be the same for him and treat him with the same respect.”

Joe B. Hall (Pros coach)

Former UK coach Joe B. Hall, right, poses with former UK player and NBA veteran Nazr Mohammed.

On what he was wearing Sunday night …
“Sam’s. I think this is a Kennedy’s Bookstore (shirt).”

On what he expects Monday night …
“The only thing I asked Cal was, if Coach Crum and I were going to coach these all-stars, we would like to have 15 days of practice. And he said, ‘You’ll get 15 minutes of warm-ups.’ That’s about the way it’s going to be. I had 26 offensive sets that I wanted to get in before the game and Denny told me he had five options for each set. We wanted three defenses that we were going to change through each possession. We were going to show a 2-3 zone, switch to 1-3-1 matchup and then go man-to-man the last 10 seconds of the possession. If we work all those things in, I think we might have a chance. But I’ve been over there to practice, and let me tell you these kids can play. They may be from the Dominican Republic, known for baseball, but they are good basketball players. You’ve seen Francisco Garcia, you’ve seen Edgar Sosa, both professionals from Louisville, Al Horford from Florida. They’re all in the pros and they’re going to be hard to beat. They’ve been practicing and they’re in shape and they’re together as a team, but we’ve got Jodie (Meeks) and we’re going to get the ball to him (Meeks was standing to his right). We’re going to set three screens every time down the floor and break him off for a fall-away jumper. He thought he put up many shots against Tennessee; he’s going to double that effort against the Dominican. Can you do that Jodie? Would you like that, three screens and unlimited shooting? That’s what you’ve got. You’ve got a green light.”

Jodie Meeks (Philadelphia 76ers)

On what he thinks the game will be like …
“I’m just excited. I think it will be fun. It’s my first time back in a while. The game should be fun and I’m looking forward to … (Coach Hall cuts him off)

Coach Hall (joking): “Let’s forget that fun business. Just remember, there is pressure on you guys. You’re professionals. You can’t go out there and lose this ballgame. We can’t have individual play. We’ve got to have defense, we’ve got to convert defensively, we’ve got to be serious minded if we’re going to win this game. Are you going to let this bunch beat you? Then forget the fun. We’ll have fun tonight and after the game.

Meeks on how important the game is for them to play well and win …
“You always want to play well when you get out on the court. I’m looking forward to playing with the guys I didn’t get a chance to play with like John, DeMarcus and Eric (Bledsoe). It should be a great experience. I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”

On what type of shape he’s in …
“I’m in great shape. I’ve been working out every day, probably about six times a week with my trainer back in Orlando. I’m working out and I’m in good shape.”

On how concerned he is over the NBA lockout …
“It’s kind of hard to worry about something you don’t have control over. Hopefully there will be a season, but it’s not on my mind right now. Right now I’m just focusing on working out. I don’t think (overseas is an option).”

Francisco Garcia (Dominican Republic guard and former Louisville Cardinal)

On how he is taking this game …
“It’s going to be competitive. We don’t just want to go out there and be friendly with everybody. It’s going to be competitive. We’re trying to get better. That’s what we’re doing right now is getting better every day. It’s going to be a fun game. It’s going to be real competitive. We’re playing to win.”

Edgar Sosa (Dominican Republic guard and former Louisville Cardinal)

On Rondo and Wall being in the same backcourt together …
“I think it’s great. We won’t see a backcourt like that in the whole tournament. Playing against those two guys is going to let us know where we’re at as guards and it’s also going to test us. I think if we do a pretty good job against those two guys, two of the fastest guys in the NBA, then I think we can do a pretty good job against any backcourt in this tournament.”

Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons)

UK legend and current Detroit Piston Tayshaun Prince poses for photographers on the red carpet at Sunday night's VIP reception at deSha's.

On what it’s like being back in Lexington …
“It’s been a while since I’ve played back here. I’ve seen in the past where a couple of former UK players had the opportunity to have a game back here, but unfortunately we didn’t have one. To be able to do this, it’ll be something special. In no way form or fashion am I in any type of good basketball shape, but hopefully I’m in shape enough to where I don’t embarrass myself.”

On why he isn’t in basketball shape …
“Obviously my first six or seven years in the league we went to the playoffs a lot and I really didn’t get done until May or June. I always used to take a couple of months off and then get it back going in the middle of August. Even though we didn’t go to the playoffs the last couple of years, I’ve kind of kept that regimen. Here we are August 14th and I usually get going around the 15th of August. Here we are.”

On how important the game is to him in terms of winning …
“I’m pretty sure some of the younger guys are in better shape than I am because they like to play year around. I’m in a situation where I don’t play all year around anymore. No matter what, when you step on that floor, you’re going to compete and try to win regardless. Whether a guy is in tip-top shape or not, when you step out on that court in front of so many fans, you’re going to be ready to play and you’re going to give it your hardest no matter what type of shape you’re in and try to get a win.”

On his shooting touch despite being out of shape …
“You do need to be in shape for that because when you wear down a bit, those shots get a little short. We’re playing with an international ball, I’m assuming, so that won’t help.”

On shooting from the logo just for old time’s sake …
“Nah, I’m trying to get in the paint.”

On the crowd he’s expecting …
“It’s an away game for them. They’re playing on wrong territory. Cal will have those guys going. I know Charlie is looking forward to it and obviously Francisco too, playing at the University of Louisville. When guys are on the court and play in front of fans, guys will be ready to play on both sides. It should be interesting, it should be fun. I don’t know if it’ll be like an all-star type of game, but they’ll be working on some things from their perspective. I’ll just try to let the young guys do as much as they can.”

On how his team will get on the same page by 7:30 tomorrow …
“We might have a little shoot around or something in the morning. We might try to put a couple of little things in. We don’t have any type of chemistry or nothing yet. Our backs are against the wall, but I plan on helping us out.”

Keith Bogans (Chicago Bulls)

On what type of shape he’s in …
“I’m in shape. I’m probably not in the greatest basketball shape because I had surgery as soon as the season was over on my right knee. Basketball wise, I think we’ll be fine. I think we’ll have a little light practice tomorrow and go over a few things. I think we should be good for the most part.”

On how he’s approaching this game …
“Like I approach any other game. It’s going to be fun. I’m excited. This is my first time playing in Rupp since Senior Night. I never thought I’d play on that floor again, so I’m excited. I know there is going to be a lot of energy in there. I don’t really think it’s about winning or losing. I think it’s just about coming back here and just seeing the fans and feeling the excitement. That’s what it’s more about for me. It’s really not about winning or losing. It will definitely kick in once the game starts going, but right now I’m just happy to be back. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

On when he first heard about the game …
“At first I thought it was a joke. I was like, ‘Go back to Lexington and play a game?’ So I immediately hang the phone up and call Tayshaun. Tayshaun was like, ‘Nah, this is serious. It’s a game.’ So I called DeWayne (Peevy) back and told him to put me down there. If this is a game where everyone is coming, I’m going to be there.”

On why he wanted to be a part of this game …
“To have all the guys who have successfully made it and moved on in their career, to come back and be a part of that group of guys is special. It isn’t something I thought twice about.”

DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings)

On what he expects Monday night …
“It’s going to be a lot of fun. The chance to play in Rupp again and be in front of Kentucky fans again is an opportunity you won’t get a lot of.”

On how competitive this game will be for the pros …
“It’s going to be a competitive game. I know my teammate Francisco Garcia and I know how he is as a teammate. I know he’s ultra competitive. I know he’ll be pushing his teammates.”

On how important winning is to the pros …
“It’s very important. We haven’t lost a game in Rupp and we want to keep it that way.”

On what type of shape he’s in …
“Before Vegas I was good. I don’t really know how I am going to be tomorrow, but we’ll see.”

On how Las Vegas was with former teammates Wall and Bledsoe …
“It was a lot of fun. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

On the home atmosphere on Monday …
“We’re back home. Whoever said (this was a road game for them) made the right statement. This is a home game for us, of course. We’re going to try to make the best of it.”

On how much his competitive juices will be flowing …
“It’ll be a little bit of everything. I’ll be excited and I’ll be nervous. You want to go in and show how much you’ve improved. You want to go in and please the fans. It’ll be a little bit of all of that.”

On how concerned he is of not being back on an NBA court for a while because of the lockout …
“It’s definitely a possibility. Hopefully we can get something resolved and get us back on the court. Sitting at home is not something any of us want to do.”

On playing overseas during the lockout …
“Overseas is definitely a possibility. As of right now, no, but it’s a possibility later. It depends on how long it lasts. Basketball is my love. I want to be on some court playing ball somewhere.”