Category: Kentucky wildcats

Brandon Garrison, a standout player for the Wildcat team, shared an inspiring message reflecting on his career achievements, marking a significant milestone in his athletic journey. The player, who has worked tirelessly through his career, expressed how reaching this level feels like a dream come true. With his determination unwavering, Garrison made it clear that he is not ready to give up anytime soon.

In a recent interview, Garrison remarked, “Been here is a career dream come so I won’t give up,” acknowledging how far he has come in his professional journey. These words resonated deeply with fans and teammates, who have seen the dedication and resilience Garrison has shown on and off the field. His journey to success was not an easy one, but it’s his tireless work ethic that has allowed him to overcome obstacles and excel.

Garrison’s journey to becoming a key player for the Wildcats has been marked by years of discipline, hard work, and commitment to his sport. His impressive skills and leadership qualities have made him a fan favorite and a driving force within the team.

The athlete’s message also highlights his dedication to always improve, pushing himself to be the best version of himself in every game and training session. For Garrison, his career is more than just an achievement—it’s about the journey and staying motivated through the ups and downs.

As the Wildcats continue to compete, Brandon Garrison’s words serve as a reminder that with hard work and passion, dreams are possible. Fans and teammates alike are eager to see where his relentless determination will take him next.

The University of Kentucky Wildcats have made a major move to enhance their championship aspirations with the addition of highly touted recruit, Walker Horn. The 6’9” forward, known for his versatility and scoring ability, has committed to the Wildcats, sending shockwaves through the college basketball world.

Horn, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, was heavily pursued by several top-tier programs but ultimately chose to stay in his home state. His decision is seen as a significant boost for Kentucky’s already impressive roster, which aims to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. With his size and skill set, Horn is expected to provide an immediate impact, particularly on both ends of the court. Known for his sharp shooting and ability to guard multiple positions, Horn brings a level of versatility that Kentucky head coach John Calipari will look to leverage in the coming season.

Horn’s recruitment was highly competitive, with top programs like Duke, Kansas, and North Carolina in the mix. His decision to join Kentucky strengthens the Wildcats’ chances of competing for an NCAA title. The forward has drawn comparisons to some of college basketball’s recent stars, with scouts praising his basketball IQ and all-around game. His arrival gives Kentucky an extra dimension of depth and talent, making them one of the most dangerous teams in the country.

The Wildcats, who are already a perennial powerhouse, now enter the season with even higher expectations. Fans are buzzing with excitement, as the addition of Walker Horn could be the final piece to Kentucky’s quest for another national championship. The road to March Madness just got a little more thrilling for Wildcats supporters.

In a recent statement that shocked fans and the sports community, Lamont Butler, a key player for the San Diego State University men’s basketball team, announced that he will be stepping away from the game indefinitely due to personal reasons. Butler, who has been an integral part of the team’s success, made the decision to take time off to focus on his well-being, though he did not provide further details on the exact nature of his absence.

Butler, a senior guard, has been a cornerstone for the Aztecs. Known for his exceptional defense and leadership on the court, his presence has been vital to San Diego State’s competitive edge in the NCAA tournament and in Mountain West Conference play. Over the years, he has become a fan favorite, regularly contributing crucial plays in high-stakes moments.

The timing of the announcement raises concerns as the team navigates an important stretch of the season. Butler’s absence will undoubtedly have an impact on both the offense and defense, as his ability to control the pace of the game and lock down opposing players is unmatched. The coaching staff, led by Brian Dutcher, expressed support for Butler’s decision and stated that the priority is his health and well-being, with hopes for his eventual return.

While details surrounding his return remain unclear, the basketball community has rallied around Butler, offering well wishes and support. His teammates are expected to step up in his absence, with other players taking on expanded roles as the team works to adjust. Fans, however, are eagerly awaiting news on his recovery and hoping to see the talented guard back on the court soon.

Late in Kentucky’s 74-69 loss at Vanderbilt last month, UK coach Mark Pope had lightly used freshman Trent Noah on the floor in a key moment in the game.

Vandy guard AJ Hoggard, a veteran with four years of experience at Michigan State before relocating to Nashville, promptly matched up one-on-one on Noah, drove to the basket and successfully penetrated directly to the rim.

In recent months, the spotlight has been shining brighter on Trent Noah, a rising basketball star whose transformation has been nothing short of impressive. While Noah’s natural talent has always been evident, it’s his development under the guidance of Kentucky’s head coach, Mark Pope, that has propelled him to new heights.

Pope, known for his ability to refine and elevate his players, has played a key role in shaping Noah’s game. When the two first connected, Noah was a highly touted recruit with raw potential but still in need of fine-tuning in areas such as shooting consistency, court awareness, and leadership. With Pope’s strategic coaching methods, Noah quickly adjusted to the demands of a high-level program like Kentucky’s.

Pope’s focus on developing Noah’s basketball IQ and footwork has made a noticeable impact. Under Pope’s mentorship, Noah has not only become a more efficient scorer but has also developed a keen sense of timing and decision-making. His ability to read the defense, make smart passes, and maintain composure in pressure situations has given him the edge in tight games.

What stands out most about the collaboration between Pope and Noah is the trust they have in one another. Pope has cultivated an environment where Noah can thrive, constantly encouraging him to push his limits while providing constructive feedback. As a result, Noah’s growth on both ends of the floor has been exponential.

Now, with NBA scouts taking notice and fans buzzing about his potential, Trent Noah’s rise is a testament to Mark Pope’s exceptional ability to nurture talent and bring out the best in his players. Noah’s journey continues, but with Pope in his corner, the sky is the limit.

With Jaxson Robinson already out, the Kentucky Wildcats were hit with another significant injury in their 75-64 win over the Tennessee Volunteers.

Lamont Butler, who previously hurt his shoulder and missed three games, injured it again after diving for a loose ball on Tuesday night against the Vols. The fifth-year senior guard went down with an injury with 7:56 remaining in the second half.

Butler, who had been contributing across the board, left the game after logging 22 minutes, finishing with six points, four assists, three rebounds, and three steals. His efforts helped Kentucky lead for virtually the entire game until he went out, allowing the Vols to briefly take a three-point lead before the Cats closed the game on a 20-6 run.

This latest setback continues a season filled with injury struggles for Butler. His troubles began in the Clemson game, where he initially suffered an ankle injury that forced him to miss two straight games.

After making a return, Butler once again found himself sidelined, missing three more games against Tennessee, Arkansas, and Ole Miss. Despite his efforts to regain form, injuries have continuously derailed his momentum, limiting his impact on the court.

Making matters worse is Robinson is now out with a wrist injury suffered in practice last week and reaggravated in the win over South Carolina. It’s unclear how long Robinson will be out, but based on comments from head coach Mark Pope, it could be an extended absence.

After Tuesday’s win, head coach Mark Pope gave a brief update on the status of Butler and Robinson. The real quote was saying Robinson is probably not coming back anytime soon.

Pope did add that he is “hoping” and “praying” that Robinson does return soon.

The good news is Pope expects both to play again this season.

”I have trust we’ll find a way to get those guys healthy,” said Pope.

Before his latest injury, Butler had been a key contributor to his team, averaging 12.9 points, 4.7 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game. His ability to create plays and defend at a high level has been crucial, and his absence has been felt whenever he’s been off the floor. His defensive tenacity, highlighted by his three steals in limited action, underscores the value he brings to the team.

With yet another injury, questions now arise about Butler’s availability moving forward. The team will certainly be hoping for a quick recovery, but given his history this season, his status will likely be monitored closely.

Whether he can return to full strength and stay healthy remains uncertain, but his resilience will undoubtedly be tested as he looks to bounce back once again.

And with Robinson also out, Kentucky will be relying heavily on Koby Brea and Travis Perry to run the point, as well as Amari Williams to bring the ball up the court.

Just get healthy for March. This team clearly has the firepower for a deep run if everyone is healthy.

For the first time this season, Kentucky men’s basketball is set to take on a repeat opponent.

Tuesday night’s highly anticipated SEC matchup between No. 15 Kentucky (16-7 overall, 5-5 SEC) and No. 5 Tennessee (20-4, 7-4) will offer the Volunteers a chance for revenge in Rupp Arena.

That’s because just two weeks ago UK rolled into Knoxville and knocked off Tennessee 78-73.

Mark Pope’s Kentucky team won that game without point guard Lamont Butler and effectively without forward Andrew Carr, who played less than 90 seconds. Butler and Carr are now both back in the UK rotation, and played significant minutes in Saturday’s bounce-back home win over South Carolina. But, Kentucky now has another injury issue. Fifth-year guard Jaxson Robinson won’t play for UK on Tuesday due to a right wrist injury.

The current injury news for both the Wildcats and Volunteers was revealed Monday night, when the SEC injury report was released for both UK and Tennessee ahead of the marquee conference showdown.

The injury report will be updated again Tuesday evening, prior to tipoff.

The probable designation means Butler has a 75% chance to play. Robinson — the fifth-year guard who is in his third season playing for Pope — suffered a right wrist injury during UK’s practice Friday. On Saturday, Pope described the practice collision that caused Robinson’s injury as “scary,” although X-ray imaging done on Robinson’s right wrist came back clean for UK. Despite initially being listed as questionable for the South Carolina game, Robinson started as normal and played 20 minutes against the Gamecocks. Robinson had six points, five rebounds and four assists.

On his weekly radio show Monday night, Pope addressed the subject of Robinson’s injury several times. First, Pope indicated that it’s unlikely that Robinson will play against Tennessee. “Looks like we’re not going to have Jaxson Robinson, but we’ll kind of see how things pan out tomorrow (at) game time,” Pope said. Then, Pope circled back and clarified, to an extent, his previous comments about Robinson, who has started all 23 of UK’s games so far this season.

“Jax and Lamont are just a patchwork every single day,” Pope said. “We’re seeing how good a tape job we can give them and how much treatment and therapy we can give them, and roll them out there and see where we get… I think there’s a solid chance, at least, I’m hopeful, that we’ll see Lamont again tomorrow.

I think there’s equally… A chance to get Jax on the floor, but I also believe in miracles. So we’ll see how it goes with Jax. It’s going to be touch and go with those guys for the next few weeks.”

For Tuesday at least, Robinson — who is averaging 13.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game this season — won’t be able to go for the Wildcats. Butler — the fifth-year guard who previously played four seasons at San Diego State — was included on Kentucky’s injury report Monday, but signs appear good that he will play against the Volunteers.

Butler returned from a three-game injury absence to start for UK on Saturday against South Carolina.

Butler injured his left shoulder during a Jan. 14 home win against Texas A&M. He played in UK’s next two games following that injury, before then missing three straight contests, prior to returning Saturday.

“It’s feeling all right,” Butler said Monday when asked about his shoulder. “I’m ready to go for this game tomorrow, but it’s feeling all right.” Butler logged 23 minutes in Saturday’s game, scoring eight points and recording three assists and turnovers each, while also providing important on-ball defense for the Wildcats.

“I just want to be a defender like him,” UK freshman Trent Noah said of Butler. “Whenever he’s guarding you, you might as well just give it up because he’ll probably take your ball.

Whenever he’s guarding the ball, the rim protection, you don’t even really need it because he can guard one-on-one with anybody. He’s really one of the best defenders I’ve seen.”

On the season, Butler is averaging 12.9 points and 4.7 assists per game, while shooting 40% from 3-point range. With Butler back in his role as Kentucky’s key defensive difference-maker, the Wildcats surrendered their second-lowest scoring total of the season to South Carolina.

Kriisa — the fifth-year guard who previously played at Arizona and West Virginia — remains sidelined for the Wildcats. He hasn’t played for UK since early December.

Kriisa injured his foot during the second half of Kentucky’s overtime win over Gonzaga in Seattle on Dec. 7. The 6-foot-3 guard from Estonia had surgery on his foot a few days after that game. Last week, Pope provided an extensive injury update on Kriisa. “He’s not doing anything active on the court yet,” Pope said of Kriisa.

“But he’s doing much more active stuff in the weight room and in the training room, and so the next step is just to see what that response is like. It’s a matter of how quickly and if you can get over the soreness in that step.”

“He’s still limited to the training room and the weight room,” Pope added. “And at some point, when he meets those pain-threshold benchmarks, he’ll move onto the court and start a light process there.” On his radio show Monday night, Pope said Kriisa “is still a ways away” from returning to practice for UK.

In nine games played for Kentucky this season, Kriisa has averaged 3.8 assists.

Two players are on the Tennessee injury report. Sophomore forward J.P. Estrella is out and junior forward Felix Okpara is probable to play. That probable designation means Okpara has a 75% chance of playing against the Wildcats.

Estrella is out for the season for Tennessee after undergoing foot surgery in November. The second-year forward — who was a four-star recruit in the 2023 high school class — only played in three games this season before having surgery.

Okpara has started all 24 games for Tennessee this season, with per-game averages of 7.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks. Estrella was the only player on Tennessee’s injury report two weeks ago ahead of the Volunteers’ first game against Kentucky.

But during that contest, standout senior guard Zakai Zeigler suffered a knee injury.

Zeigler then missed Tennessee’s next game, a surprise home win over then-No. 5 Florida on Feb. 1.

Zeigler has been back to full action for Tennessee’s two most recent games, a home win over then-No. 15 Missouri and Saturday’s dominant road win at Oklahoma.

“He’s a really good guard … great playmaker,” Butler said of Zeigler, who averages more than two steals per game for Tennessee. “He’s been really good for them all year.”

Kentucky men’s basketball is back in the win column. The Wildcats — now 16-7 overall and 5-5 in SEC play — rolled over South Carolina, 80-57, inside Rupp Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Gamecocks remain the only SEC team without a victory in conference play.

Defense was the story for the Cats in this one, with the Gamecocks shooting 32.8% from the field and 18.2% on 3-pointers.

South Carolina recorded more turnovers (nine) than assists (seven), and a major part of this statistical story was the return of UK fifth-year guard Lamont Butler.

VERSAILLES — Mark Pope and his first-year Kentucky basketball coaching staff are 2 for 2 keeping the best 2025 prospects the Bluegrass has to offer from leaving the state’s borders.

Jasper Johnson, the top-ranked player in the state in the 2025 class, committed to UK on Thursday. He picked Kentucky over his four other finalists: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisville and North Carolina. Johnson announced his commitment to the Wildcats during a Thursday afternoon ceremony at the Woodford County High School gym.

Versailles

The scene that unfolded Sunday night at the new Woodford County High School gym in Versailles was emblematic, in all ways, of what high-level prep basketball has become, with a specific Kentucky twist.

First, the details.

For the second-straight year, class of 2025 Kentucky basketball signee guard Jasper Johnson was the star attraction surrounding a homecoming game in Versailles, the Central Kentucky city located about 13 miles west of Lexington.

Johnson — a five-star recruit who is ranked by the 247Sports Composite as the No. 18 player in the 2025 recruiting class — scored 31 points and was named the game MVP as his RWE team, part of the Atlanta-based Overtime Elite program, took down Huntington Prep (West Virginia) 71-70 in a competitive contest.

Johnson’s high-scoring effort came in front of several notable Kentucky basketball figures. UK head coach Mark Pope took in the game alongside his wife, Lee Anne, and another class of 2025 UK signee, Great Crossing High School (Georgetown) center Malachi Moreno.

Current UK freshman guard Travis Perry was also on hand for the contest, and posed postgame for a photo with Johnson.

Sunday’s game was also a homecoming for another highly ranked college basketball recruit from the commonwealth. Taylen Kinney — a five-star guard in the class of 2026 — scored 13 points for RWE in the win. Kinney began his prep career at Newport High School in Northern Kentucky.

Johnson, Kinney and Moreno were all at Rupp Arena on Saturday night for Kentucky’s home loss to Arkansas, which marked the return of ex-UK coach John Calipari to Lexington.

Once the win was secured for RWE, the real show began.

Last year’s homecoming for Johnson also came with a level of pomp and circumstance. In January 2024, Johnson was still a highly sought after college basketball recruit when he returned to Versailles to play a game at the old Woodford County High School gym, affectionately known as “The Hive.”

After losing a frustrating game on the road against Van7derbilt and down several key players, there weren’t many folks giving the Kentucky Wildcats a shot at beating the 8th-ranked Tennessee Vols in Knoxville on Tuesday night.

In fact, the spread pegged Kentucky as double-digit underdogs.

But miraculously, without Lamont Butler and receiving just two minutes of play from Andrew Carr, Kentucky still found a way to beat Tennessee inside Thompson Bowling Arena.

On Mark Pope’s weekly radio show, the Big Blue Nation was treated to a behind-the-scenes look at exactly what transpired after the Cats were upset by Vandy.

Pope went into detail praising Jaxson Robinson who inserted himself in a leadership role and clearly inspired his teammates.

“Jaxson’s story has got so many beginnings and endings, but the beginning of this particular story was not the first 10 minutes at Tennessee where he was so incredible. It was 72 hours earlier. At the end of a really disappointing loss at Vanderbilt…when we finish games, we’ll leave the court, and the team will have a few minutes together while we meet as a staff.

“By the time we got into the locker room, Jaxson Robinson was still going and going, talking about what this team was supposed to be and what our mission was, how we fit together, how we had to count on each other, what the expectation in terms of our standard as a team was. It wasn’t berating his teammates. It was just reaffirming the standard we’re trying to hold ourselves to. It was done really forcefully and positively and seriously.

“If you could tell a mini-story about Jaxson Robinson’s performance last night, it started three nights earlier in a really sad locker room,” Pope said Wednesday evening.

It’s refreshing to hear how Robinson was able to transform a potentially catastrophic situation into something positive for himself and his teammates.

Clearly, whatever he said, it worked.

Not only did Kentucky beat the Volunteers as double-digit underdogs, they were in control for nearly the entire game, leading 35:20 of a possible 40 minutes.

It’s a good feeling to know that this team made up of veterans can find a way to redirect when needed.

Is it March yet?