LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Kentucky didn't waste time on Day 1 with too many drills during practice. Even the best newcomer on this team already knew what to do.

Jules Camara just played like the rest of the Wildcats. He blocked a shot. He altered a few others. He finished with a dunk or a layup. He ran the floor like few 6-foot-11, 225-pound centers can in college basketball.

	Kentucky fans were reminded of Jules Camara's athleticism during Midnight Madness.

And, for the first time in over a year, he's no longer being ostracized for being suspended from competing in games for the 2000-01 season after violating the University of Kentucky's policy on a student-athlete receiving a drinking and driving violation.

"This is the best first day I've ever been a part of," Kentucky coach Tubby Smith said after starting his fifth season of practices at Memorial Coliseum. "And we're only going to get better."

That's in part because of Camara.

Regardless of whether or not he starts, Camara -- who fits the updated definition of a newcomer in an age when rosters change frequently from season to season -- will have a dramatic affect on the game when he's on the court. Kentucky didn't have an inside player who could do that last season. They had the bruiser and finisher inside, Jason Parker, but he's gone for the season with a torn ACL. Marvin Stone and Marquis Estill are similar to Parker, just not as talented.

"Last year, we didn't have someone who could block shots or get the offensive or defensive rebounds," Kentucky power forward Tayshaun Prince said. "We would send everyone in there, but he gives us so much help with those long arms in the paint. If you get beat, he'll be right there to help."

Camara played behind Jamaal Magloire his first two seasons and he still had 75 blocks, including 50 in 31 games as a sophomore. Sitting out last season might have actually helped him mature as a player, let alone a person. Camara was allowed to practice, which essentially kept him in school. He kept his scholarship, something Smith said he had to fight for with the administration. But he also studied the game. Instead of trying to guess which shots to go after, his mentality is now to attack every shot, albeit without committing a foul.

"I will go after everything and block shots," said Camara, a native of the Senegal. "I'll go after every offensive rebound. When I was here with Jamaal, he was expected to do that. This year I'm the one player on the team who can do that."

Camara has added some muscle, too. He also got needed game experience this summer playing for the Senegalese National Team in August in the African Games. He was a hit with NBA scouts by averaging 16 points and seven rebounds in 14 minutes a game. His shot selection improved and he's got range from 15 feet.

"There's no telling how good we would have been with him last season," Smith said of the Wildcats who lost to USC in the Sweet 16. "Don't get me wrong, we were still good, but with him we would have had a real presence. He's blocking more shots now, his offense got stronger and he's making good decisions away from the ball. He's as skilled a 6-11 guy as I've ever coached. He's as athletic as anybody on the court, has the speed and agility and mobility. He's the total package."

Last year, the Wildcats had to go with two players who were new to Division I in Parker and Estill. Stone had all of one season of experience.

"That's why losing Jules was such a tough blow," Smith said.

Camara could have easily bolted for the NBA in the spring, or gone overseas last season when he wasn't allowed to play. The soft-spoken Camara said he took the criticism hard, especially when he would hear television analysts tell audiences why he wasn't on the team last season. Teammates like seniors Prince and J.P. Blevins marveled at his patience to come back after being painted such a bad light.

"I don't know if anyone would have done that," Prince said.

But Camara admits he made a mistake, has paid his dues and is anxious to get back in games. He said the games in Africa made him realize that getting back to game shape isn't so easy.

"I look at what happened as a positive thing," Camara said. "The coaching staff helped me stick it out. The easy thing would have been to run away. The hardest thing was to stay here and deal with it. It made me a better person."

No one on the team or staff is naïve enough to think Camara will stay for his senior season, his fifth year in school. He could have gone to the NBA last season. He'll leave this spring, but not until making a major impact around the rim at both ends of the court.

Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.