Terrence Jones returned to Kentucky because he wanted to become a top five selection in the NBA Draft. If early practices are any indicator he may very well go first overall according to Kentucky coach John Calipari.

Just a week into workouts the sophomore forward has left his coach – and a line of NBA scouts – almost hyperventilating at the improvement he has made since the Cats’ 2011 season ended in Houston.

“If there is a better player in the country right now I’ve got to see him,” Calipari said on Tuesday. “Maybe that guy is in our gym, I don’t know, but if there is somebody better than Terrence I’ve got to see (him).”

Jones burst onto the scene early in his freshman year, scoring at least 20 points four times in the Cats’ first eight games and notching five double-doubles. He was so dominant in three games at the Maui Invitational national pundits began talking about him as a potential player of the year candidate.

The left-hander’s productivity began to slip a bit as Kentucky reached the Southeastern Conference portion of its schedule when opponents figured out Jones was nearly all left-handed off the bounce and had an erratic jumper. When Brandon Knight and Josh Harrellson began to step to the forefront of the Cats’ attack late in the year, Jones became more of a distributor and defender during the postseason run.

After testing the NBA waters and learning he would be a late lottery pick Jones shocked much of college basketball by returning to campus for a second year. At peace with the decision, Jones attacked the weight room and individual workouts through the offseason.

The commitment didn’t go unnoticed.

“(Jones is) first in all the running things. First out on the court. He comes back in the evening and shoots,” Calipari said. “His whole focus is different. I had four scouts in here say his focus on basketball compared to last year is not even close. Now you’re seeing a young man who has changed his habits, changed his body and has a different attitude.

“He and Doron fought (last year) for the last guy to walk into the gym every day and it was 30 seconds before the bell went off every day. I think they were in the hall arguing about who should be first and who should follow. Now (Jones) is out there. It’s totally different than it was a year ago.”

Calipari said one thing is already clear this season – he won’t have to play motivator each and every day.

“I’m not coaching effort, intensity or enthusiasm,” Calipari said. “Occasionally I have to stop them for tough shots but I haven’t said boo to Darius, I haven’t said boo to Terrence. The young kids I get on occasionally but they’re giving everything they have. This is not going to be easy because we’re so young again but I really like my team.”