Good morning, BBN!
With a new regime comes a new process for recruiting, and the folks over at the Herald Leader did a great job breaking down Mark Pope’s mentality when it comes to growing and developing the Kentucky Basketball brand with new talent.
Pope’s focus during this crucial July evaluation period is on scouting skilled players who can shoot well, a shift from the previous emphasis on length and athleticism under John Calipari.
Pope and his staff are traveling extensively to attend major events like Nike’s Peach Jam and various showcases, aiming to fill at least seven spots on the roster due to many players reaching the end of their NCAA eligibility.
While Calipari was known for his “players first” approach, often prioritizing individual success and NBA Draft preparation, Pope emphasizes team success and the pursuit of a ninth national championship. Something BBN is very excited to hear.
Pope has even removed the giant posters of former players now in the NBA from the practice facility, symbolizing a shift towards celebrating team achievements over individual milestones.
In his recruitment pitch, Pope stresses the importance of winning championships and forming strong on-court connections. He seeks players who are committed to the program’s success and can contribute to a fast-paced, 3-point-heavy offense.
This new direction aims to blend individual talents with a collective drive, positioning Kentucky as a contender for future national titles.
This is exactly what the fanbase and media has been seeking for a long time now, however, we’ll see if this approach works out. It’s a new game in 2024, and it’s going to be important to continue adapting.
It’s Reed’s world, and we’re just living in it.
Brennan Canada, Grant Darbyshire Named to NABC Honors Court – UK Athletics
Academics school.
Ryan Nicholson, Trey Pooser Selected on Second Day of MLB Draft – UK Athletics
Congrats to these two Cats!
Very hot take, but it should be a fun CBB year!
How Paul Skenes’ splinker helped propel him to instant MLB dominance – Yahoo Sports
He’s a phenom.
Big time!
Agents for Raiders’ Davante Adams: Trade speculation ‘baseless’ – ESPN
We’ll see in a couple months…
Snyder’s Soapbox: Why MLB has the best All-Star Game experience in professional sports – CBS Sports
Another interesting take here.
Is he leaving or does no one want to sign him?
WR Brandon Aiyuk requests trade from 49ers, sources say – ESPN
Huge news from the NFL.
Caleb Williams signs rookie contract with Bears – NBC Sports
Not surprising here, but a huge rookie deal for the #1 pick.
It is a third title in a row for the US, for whom Jake Williams (26 points) and Steve Serio (24) dominated the scoring.Lee Manning (21), Pratt (17) and Gregg Wa
The Kentucky Wildcats got a massive recruiting win Thursday, adding 5-star talent Jasper Johnson to their list of names coming to Lexington next season. The
Thursday was massive for the Kentucky Wildcats as they landed a commitment from Jasper Johnson, a 5-star in-state combo guard ranked No. 12 in the 2025 recru
Jasper Johnson’s commitment ceremony was a special and unique event for a number of reasons. One that particularly caught the eye of many watching the cer