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Men's Basketball

A Once Considered Kentucky Coaching Candidate Now Facing Serious Allegations

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With John Calipari’s tenure possibly on the home-stretch and his name up for an NBA job every summer, we always have the discussion of who could replace him if he left.

That list has many quality candidates on it and for awhile included current Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall.

His name was most likely cleared after his wife, Lynn Marshall, was in a feud with Kentucky Sports Radio’s Drew Franklin. But, if it wasn’t removed from the list then, it sure is now.

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In an article written by CJ Moore and Dana O’Neil of The Athletic, Marshall is under “investigation for allegations of misconduct” according to the story.

Last spring, the Shockers had six scholarship players and a walk-on transfer. In addition, 2020 commit Ja’Dun Michael asked out of his letter of intent.

There are many allegations against Marshall, perhaps the worst being from the 2015-16 season. According to the article, Shaq Morris attempted to block Zach Johnson’s shot in a practice. Marshall thought it was a dirty play and ran over to Morris. According to the article, he “chewed out Morris for what he deemed a dirty play and then shoved Morris in the back.” This is according to multiple players on that team. According to the article, Marshall proceeded to tell Morris to “get the fuck out of practice” and then followed him, and, before he could exit the gym, Marshall “ran up behind Morris and punched him between the shoulders near his neck.” This according to two players on that team.

In the preseason of that year, an assistant was running a workout session with a group of players. Marshall wasn’t happy with the session, according to the article he “approached the staff member and started berating him, then put one of his hands around his neck.” This is according to two people that were witnesses.

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In 2016, Marshall was approaching his parking spot at Koch Arena, when he discovered an athlete on another team leaving his spot. According to the article, this was nothing “uncommon” as many students often “parked in Marshall’s spot to run in quickly to the tutoring center.” Normally, Marshall would double-park behind the car to block it in, but this time, he didn’t get there quick enough. So what did he do? He followed the car and blocked it at an intersection in the parking lot. According to the article, Marshall then “got out of his car and began yelling at the student, ‘Do you know who the fuck I am?’”

According to the article, the student replied, “I don’t give a fuck who you are.” According to witnesses, Marshall “approached the car and attempted to punch the student through the window.”

According to the article, Marshall wrote a text to The Athletic, “I’m aware the university conducted interviews and I fully participated in the process. I look forward to having it wrapped up as I continue to focus my energy on our team.”

According to the article, one former player spoke anonymously about the situation, saying “This thing’s been going on before I came around and no one warned me. For me, it’s about helping the next kid. I wouldn’t be telling this if I didn’t think it was going to help somebody.”

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To read the full article, click here.

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Men's Basketball

Amari Williams Picked 46th by the Boston Celtics in the 2025 NBA Draft

Amari Williams is the second Kentucky player selected in the 2025 NBA Draft, as Boston takes the big man with their second round pick.

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Amari Williams is drafted by the Boston Celtics.
Wesley Hale | Imagn Images

Fan-favorite big man (and official Weetabix sponsor) Amari Williams has officially made it to the big leagues, taken by the Boston Celtics with the 46th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, via a trade with the Orlando Magic.

The selection makes Williams the second Wildcat to be scooped up from this year’s pool, following Koby Brea being picked by the Phoenix Suns just five picks earlier at the 41st spot. From Mark Pope’s first Kentucky team, two transfer athletes (thus far) in their last year of eligibility have achieved next-level dreams by way of the blue and white.

Williams, who averaged 11 points, nine rebounds, and three assists per game during his lone season in Lexington, will look to aid Boston in filling their recently vacant five-spot, left by the recently traded Kristaps Porzingis.

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As Wildcat fans surely know, not only can Williams battle with the best of them in the paint, but he can run the floor as efficiently as just about any guard, too. His versatility and sizable frame ensure a high ceiling in the NBA and, despite not every draft board seeing him selected, the league champions two years removed made the call when it mattered.

Hailing overseas from Nottingham, England, and spending his first four years of college basketball at the University of Drexel, Williams’ success is a testament not only to Kentucky Basketball’s immaculate tradition, but to his own incredible work ethic and intangible ability.

Cats fans will be sure to follow and support their point-center to the next level, as they always do. Go be great, Amari – all of BBN has your back.

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Men's Basketball

Koby Brea Selected to the Phoenix Suns With the No. 41 Overall Pick in the 2025 NBA Draft

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Tristan Pharis | KY Insider

Koby Brea arrived at Kentucky last season as one of the nation’s deadliest shooters, lived up to the billing, and reaped his rewards on Thursday night at the NBA Draft. The former Kentucky star is heading to the Phoenix Suns with the No. 41 overall pick

As a 6-foot-7 wing, Brea entered the 2025 NBA Draft as one of the most experienced prospects after spending four years at Dayton and a fifth at Kentucky during Mark Pope’s successful first season as head coach, where he became one of the best three-point shooters in all of college basketball.

Last season at Kentucky, the Bronx native averaged 11.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game while shooting 43.5% from beyond the arc on nearly six attempts per game in 36 games, 16 of which were starts, showcasing his scoring ability in transition, off the catch, and via handoffs and screens.

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Not only did Brea achieve his own dreams of playing at the next level, but becomes a piece of history for Pope, becoming the first player drafted out of Kentucky during the Pope era.

Brea joins a rebuilding franchise with a notorious background for drafting Kentucky guards. Eric Bledsoe rings the bell, Tyler Ulis of course, and the Suns’ all-time leading scorer, Devin Booker obviously leads the pack.

Go be great Fuego!

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Men's Basketball

How a Call with Mark Pope Led Denzel Aberdeen to Kentucky

After winning a national title at Florida, Denzel Aberdeen committed to Kentucky without ever visiting campus—thanks to a revealing three-hour call with head coach Mark Pope.

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Chet White | UK Athletics

As a junior, Denzel Aberdeen was a key part of Florida’s national title run. But a certain phone conversation convinced him to leave his home state and head north to Lexington in hopes of experiencing that feeling once again.

He had never set foot in Lexington before deciding to become a Kentucky Wildcat — and he didn’t need to. All it took was one phone call — three hours long, on Easter Sunday — with head coach Mark Pope to convince him that he belonged in blue and white.

“Our phone call lasted about three hours, to be honest,” Aberdeen said, meeting with the media in Lexington for the first time earlier this week. “A lot of it was just getting to know me and getting to know the school, the university, getting to know him (Pope), how their style was, a lot of film. Once I saw that, I was like this looks like a great guy to play for.”

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The two went on to discuss Aberdeen’s role at Kentucky in more depth, including how Pope envisions him fitting into Kentucky’s new system — a system that, according to Aberdeen, is very similar, if not better than the one he just left.

“We had a lot of great players at Florida, especially the tall bigs. Bigs that love to run there, and we have just as much here; our bigs love to run, they play defense, and they play at a fast pace. So I think the things that we’ve got here are just as good, or even better,” Aberdeen said.

Averaging 7.7 points and nearly 20 minutes per game off the bench for the Gators last year, it’s clear to see what Aberdeen brings to the team: experience, versatility, calmness in the backcourt, and championship pedigree. Pope’s phone conversation with Aberdeen wasn’t just impactful on the court — it also speaks volumes to what he is doing off the court in pursuit of the goal he laid out in his introductory press conference: to hang banners.

This phone call wasn’t just about Denzel Aberdeen. It was a glimpse into Pope’s player-first, transparent coaching approach, which could define his era at Kentucky — and potentially make this season a special one, with Aberdeen playing another key role in a deep NCAA Tournament run.

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“I know the goal is to win No. 9,” he said. “I know the fans want that, we want that, all the staff and coaches want that. That pushes us. We know what we gotta do when we come here and put on that Kentucky jersey. Just playing for the University of Kentucky is a big thing. Being here is a blessing, and I can’t look back.”

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