Good morning, BBN!

It has been an offseason to remember for this Kentucky Basketball team, but one thing will always reign true, this place is a dream for every kid who grows up watching College Basketball.

On Thursday, Ansley Almonor officially committed to the Cats. The 6-foot-7, 220-pound wing averaged 16.4 PPG and 5.1 RPG on 43.6% shooting last season and 39% from deep.

Here’s what he had to say about his dream coming true:

“It was always a dream of mine,” Almonor told ZAGSBLOG. “Growing up, I had a picture of the [Kentucky] logo in front of my bed as a goal. It’s just crazy to think that I’ve achieved that goal, but the job definitely isn’t finished. I have many more goals to accomplish, but achieving a big one like this means a lot. I will bring my shooting ability, toughness, willingness to work, and winning attitude to this program, just to name a few.”

We’ve heard these stories a bunch, but knowing that Mark Pope is really dialing in on kids who want to be here and have wanted to be here for a long time is great.

This entire process has felt like a refreshed perspective on Kentucky Basketball that all of us have missed.

Tweet of the Day

Congrats, Tyrese!

Headlines

Sixers’ Tyrese Maxey wins NBA’s Sportsmanship Award for 2023-24 season – NBC Sports Philadelphia

Tyrese Maxey received the Joe Dumars Trophy as the NBA’s 2023-24 Sportsmanship Award winner.

Kentucky Concludes Season in NCAA Quarterfinals – UK Athletics
No. 5 Kentucky fell to No. 4 TCU in the NCAA quarterfinals on Thursday. The Cats end the season with an overall record of 27-3, marking the fewest losses in a season since 1970.

One big way that Mark Pope’s coaching will differ from John Calipari’s – The Herald Leader

Great write up on utilizing the depth of the roster.

College basketball transfer portal team rankings: Indiana fights for No. 1, Duke rises in latest top 25 update – 247

Too high, too low, or just right for the Cats?

Film Room: Ansley Almonor – KSR

Mark Pope has brought in 11 guys who fit together very well.

Kentucky Volleyball Ready to Explore Japanese Sights, Experience Culture – UK Athletics

What an awesome experience.

29 Wildcats Qualify for NCAA East First Rounds – UK Athletics

Track and Field making some noise!

‘College Football 25’ cover will feature Travis Hunter, Quinn Ewers and Donovan Edwards in return on July 19 – Yahoo Sports

If this doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what will!

Tiger Woods off to best major start in over two years, still well back at PGA – NBC Sports

Despite still being way behind, this is great to see.

Inside Bronny James’ 2024 NBA Draft Combine, and why he could follow path of another Hall of Famer’s son – CBS Sports

One of the most intriguing storylines of the Draft, for obvious reasons.

Inter Miami’s Messi tops MLS highest-paid list at $20.4m – ESPN

Worth every penny.

2024 NFL schedule: Teams with easiest road to playoffs based on schedule; Kirk Cousins’ Falcons set up best – CBS Sports

Never too early to talk NFL, even when there’s no data to prove these points!

Atlanta Dream moving two games vs. Caitlin Clark-led Fever to NBA arena – NBC Sports

Caitlin Clark continues to push the game forward.