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Can This REALLY Be Cal’s Best Shooting Team?

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Really? Really?

Over the last few seasons, it has been said repetitively by Calipari that, “this is the best shooting team I have had here”. With that being said, it hasn’t quite translated to anywhere besides the Joe Craft Center.

Cal’s two best shooting teams and only teams to rank in the top 50 nationally were the 2010-11 team that featured Brandon Knight (39.7% 3P) and the 2011-2012 title team (37.8%).

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In addition to great shooting, what do these teams have in common? Winning, as each went to a Final Four including one national title.

In the years since those teams, shooting has become more and more valuable and practically being a required skill to anyone other than freak athletes.

Fear no more, this team has the potential to be a 36-37% long-range shooting team and this is in large part to the lack of frontcourt depth, which will cause Calipari to adjust and play in a more modern way than we have been accustomed to.

In a press conference on Monday, Calipari went through player by player to discuss their shooting capabilities.

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I like the fact that Immanuel (Quickley) is shooting it way better. Tyrese (Maxey) can really shoot the ball. Johnny (Juzang) can really shoot the ball.

The other wings we have, Keion (Brooks Jr.) and Kahlil (Whitney) can shoot it. Not as good as those guys (Quickley, Maxey and Juzang), but they shoot it.

When asked about the comparison of Tyrese Maxey to former UK star De’Aaron Fox, Caliari went on to say that Fox was faster, but Maxey shoots better.

Calipari also noted Ashton Hagans’ improved shooting. “Now it becomes, is he spending enough time in the gym that he’s comfortable shooting the ball?” the UK coach said.

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With shooting being such a required skill in today’s style of play, and even if still needs to be seen to be believed, it is promising to hear Cal compliment this year’s squad on their shooting.

One thing to keep in mind, the college three-point line was extended from 20 feet, 9 inches to 22 feet, 1 3/4 inches.

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Men's Basketball

Kentucky Commit Jasper Johnson Excels at Iverson Classic

Jasper Johnson showed out at the Iverson Classic, shining light on his own potential and bringing more excitement to the ‘Cats incoming class.

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Chet White | UK Athletics

Amidst the excitement of Kentucky’s exceptional incoming transfer class, many have forgotten about (arguably) Mark Pope’s most exciting freshman: Jasper Johnson.

While Johnson, ranked 18th among freshman by ESPN, is a Kentucky kid at heart, his recruitment was easily the most widespread and heavily contested of any of the first-year Wildcats on the 2025-26 team. For a while, he was heavily favored to land with Nate Oats in Alabama, before the Pope regime swooped in behind the scenes and, clearly, pulled every necessary string. He officially announced his commitment to the ‘Cats in September of last year.

Now, Johnson is traveling across the country for various all-star-level competitions leading up to his first year of collegiate play. The latest in that string came in the form of the Iverson Classic, put on and named by the NBA legend Allen Iverson – as he has been just about everywhere else, the Kentucky commit made a real splash.

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Walking Highlight Reel

In the game, which took place last weekend, Johnson tallied 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists, stuffing the stat sheet in an all-around performance with highlights across the board. In addition to a couple of effortless slams and automatic triples, a video of Iverson and Johnson meeting at mid-court prior to the match took off across Overtime Elite’s social media, followed by a portion of his tape.

Johnson is only just scratching the surface of his ability as a player and, given the high likelihood that he’ll come off the bench during his first season in Lexington, it only speaks to the team’s incredible depth and high ceiling.

However and whenever he plays, the freshman guard will surely make an immediate impact. With November and the beginning of the season still six months down the line, however, ‘Cats fans will have to rely on videos like the one above to hold them over before they get to see their own battling for the blue and white in Rupp Arena.

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Jayden Quaintance Speaks On Why He Chose Kentucky: “I felt like Kentucky was the perfect spot”

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Jayden Quaintance
UK Athletics

At just 17 years old, Jayden Quaintance has already made his presence known in the college basketball landscape.

After suffering an ACL injury toward the end of his freshman season at Arizona State, the 6-foot-10 forward is headed to Kentucky with something to prove.

“I felt like Kentucky was that perfect spot,” Quaintance said recently on the Aaron Torres Sports Podcast. “I feel like I have a lot more confidence, you know, knowing where my baseline is. It’s really only up from here.”

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Despite the setback, he confirmed he expects to be on the floor when the Wildcats tip off their season against Louisville on Nov. 11.

Quaintance’s decision to commit to Kentucky — not once, but twice — has been one of the more compelling storylines of the Wildcats’ offseason.

Originally part of John Calipari’s final recruiting class in Lexington, the North Carolina native entered the transfer portal following Calipari’s departure, only to return under new head coach Mark Pope, who made clear that he saw Quaintance as more than just a traditional big man.

“It felt like they really wanted me here,” Quaintance said of Pope and his staff. “The sales pitch was kind of more getting to show off what I could do a little bit more offensively, you know, have a real chance to win next year. I feel like that was also a big part of it.”

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That promise of versatility has been central to Quaintance’s decision-making. Known in high school for his rim protection and physical tools, he’s eager to prove there’s much more to his game.

“I feel like I didn’t really scratch the surface of all that I can do,” he said of his time at Arizona State. “I didn’t feel like I got to show off how good I am as a passer, how good I am in transition, how good I am actually handling the ball.”

Now in Lexington, Quaintance joins a retooled Kentucky roster with a fresh identity and plenty of opportunity. His youth may stand out on paper, but his approach and awareness suggest a player far beyond his years — and NBA scouts have taken notice.

Quaintance remains a projected top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. His combination of size, mobility and upside fits the modern pro game, and his age only adds to his appeal.

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With a projected full return by September and a system ready to showcase his complete skill set, Quaintance’s next chapter is taking shape in the Bluegrass.

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Men's Basketball

Kentucky Set To Kick Off Regular Season Against Rival Louisville Cardinals

Mark Pope and Pat Kelsey will start the 2025-26 season with a bang, squaring off in Louisville on Nov. 11.

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The rivalry.
Chet White | UK Athletics

Usually, we see the Wildcats and the Cardinals face off in December, but this time around we’ll see one of the biggest college basketball rivalries kick off both teams’ regular seasons.

The game is set for Nov. 11 and will be played at the KFC Yum! Center, marking the earliest meeting between both these squads in history.

Both head coaches Mark Pope and Pat Kelsey are entering their second seasons with their respective programs, making historic jumps and rallying fan bases back together.

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Kentucky boasted a 24-12 record last season, tying the 1978-79 Duke Blue Devils and the 1992-93 Indiana Hoosiers for the most top-15 victories in a single season. It was also the most in Kentucky basketball history. Louisville finished second in the ACC with a 27-8 record in the 2024-25 season and appeared in the conference championship for the first time in history.

The Wildcats won last season’s matchup on Dec. 14 by a score of 93-85 inside of Rupp Arena. Lamont Butler scored a career-high 33 points, shooting perfect from the field.

With a 40-17 all-time record against Louisville, the Cats will look to charge into enemy territory and start their second season of the Pope era with a bang.

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