Connect with us

Men's Basketball

De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk Explode in Record-Setting Performance, Lead Kings to First Playoff Win Since 2006

Published

on

© Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

One of the biggest storylines of the entire 2022-23 NBA season has been the historic season that the Sacramento Kings have had.

Entering the season tied for the worst odds to win the NBA Championship (+50000) and with a projected win total of 34.5, the Kings far exceeded expectations. Finishing the regular season with a 48-34 record, the Kings not only earned the three seed in the Western Conference, but also won the Pacific Division for just the sixth time in 75 seasons.

A large part of that success is due to the play of former Wildcats De’Aaron Fox, Malik Monk, and Trey Lyles, who have been vital in reviving a franchise that has not made the NBA Playoffs since 2006.

Advertisement

In Game One of their opening series against the defending champion Golden State Warriors, the former Wildcats proved their value on the biggest stage, as the trio combined for 86 points in a 126-123 win over the Warriors.

For Fox and Monk, this is their first season as teammates since their time at Kentucky, but Saturday was was also each of their NBA Playoff debuts. Just as they did during their time at Kentucky, they played their best when the lights were the brightest, combining for 70 points.

Fox scored 38 points to tie him for second all-time for an NBA Playoff debut, with Monk adding 32 points helped will the Kings past a very dangerous Steph Curry-led Warriors team. The performance is just the second time college teammates had combined for 70 points in a playoff game, joining Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler.

In the fourth quarter alone, Fox and Monk had every answer against the Warrior duo of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, scoring a combined 28 points in the final quarter to secure the win.

Advertisement

It has been that kind of season for the former Wildcats. Fox has had one of the best seasons of his career as a pro, earning his first All-Star game selection earlier this season and currently leads the NBA in clutch points. While Monk and Lyles have re-sparked their careers in their, becoming big contributors off the bench.

The Kings will game 2 against the Warriors on Monday night at 9:00 EST on TNT.

Advertisement

Men's Basketball

Otega Oweh Declares for NBA Draft, Maintains College Eligibility

Arguably the centerpiece of last year’s team, Otega Oweh has declared for the NBA Draft… but that doesn’t mean he’s officially gone.

Published

on

Otega Oweh declares for the NBA Draft whilst maintaining his college eligibility.
Chet White | UK Athletics

Few players have taken the Big Blue Nation by storm like Otega Oweh did with his arrival this past season. A lot was new in Lexington last year, but #00 stuck out for a number of reasons; namely, his infectious energy on the court and the high odds that he was going to put an opponent on a poster on any given night.

Now, Oweh has declared for the NBA Draft. He made the announcement on social media, calling Kentucky fans the “best fans in the world.”

While this may seem dire for folks keeping tabs on next year’s roster, that last line in Oweh’s announcement is crucial: “…while maintaining my NCAA eligibility.” Essentially, Otega’s time in Lexington is far from over, at least for the time being.

Advertisement

Whether or not “Tegatron” returns to Rupp will likely depend on what he hears during the draft process, and where exactly he wants to land. In the modern college basketball landscape, it’s become common practice for players to “test the waters” in the draft, just to get an idea as to where they stand with the league, before returning to college for another year of development.

Take, for example, Jaxson Robinson just last season. Before his eventual transfer to Kentucky, Robinson declared for the draft out of BYU, maintaining his eligibility, before pulling from the process in order to spend his senior year at Kentucky. It happens all the time.

While that doesn’t necessarily set Oweh’s return in stone, it at least gives the Big Blue Nation to take a breather and keep calm, as his departure is far from official. Either way, #00 is a Lexington legend whose first go-around in Kentucky blue was as memorable as anyone’s could be. The “Oweh, Oweh, Oweh” chants will go on regardless.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Men's Basketball

Four Star Forward Visiting Kentucky Amidst Recruitment Rumors

Mark Pope is looking to close out a strong sophomore effort in the transfer portal, and this freshman guard may be the final piece.

Published

on

Four star guard Braydon Hawthorne is on a visit to Kentucky.
Braydon Hawthorne | WVU Athletics

As the transfer portal trucks on (and the NCAA races to find ways to regulate it), Mark Pope is looking to tie a bow on his already highly-ranked 2025-26′ roster. The latest potential addition becomes in the form of a freshman who, after pulling his commitment from West Virginia, will be on an official visit to Kentucky today, Wednesday, April 16.

Braydon Hawthorne, the 6’8″ forward at hand, is a lengthy, scoring wing with high upside on the offensive end. His 7’3″ wingspan opens opportunities for development on the defensive end, too – he’s an investment opportunity of the highest order. On3 currently has him at 48th on their ranking of 2025 recruits.

In addition to Kentucky and West Virginia (where Hawthorne is from), schools such as Virginia Tech, Arizona State, Marquette, Dayton, Old Dominion, Mount St. Mary’s, and more have thrown their hats into the ring, although the general consensus seems to be that Kentucky has the strongest pull/interest in the prospect for the time being.

Advertisement

Whether or not that actually means he’ll be in blue and white is unfortunately unsure – as that’s how the transfer portal operates – but an in-person visit is a good indicator of mutual interest. Plus, with Kentucky “losing out” on Lamar Wilkerson, who committed to Indiana, a scoring spot in the back court remains open… and Hawthorne is a compelling candidate to fill it.

While Wildcats fans wait patiently for a potential commitment, all eyes are on Coach Cody Fueger’s X account for a trademark “boom” post.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Men's Basketball

Brandon Garrison Announces Return To Kentucky For The 2025-26 Season

Published

on

Chet White | UK Athletics

Brandon Garrison isn’t going anywhere. 

The 6-foot-10 forward will be returning to the Kentucky Wildcats for his junior season in the 2025-26 campaign. 

Garrison took to social media first, posting a story on his personal Instagram that showed a simple graphic reading the words “I’m back.”

Advertisement

Speculation and rumors have swirled around the Oklahoma native all offseason, and with the addition of Andrija Jelavic, Big Blue Nation worried that Garrison would be hitting the portal sooner than later. 

Now, with his returning announcement public, Garrison will look to assert himself in the offseason as a dominant force that deserves the starting role.

Last season, he backed up Amari Williams, coming off of the bench and averaging 5.9 points per game and 3.9 rebounds per game in just 17.3 minutes a night. 

It’s unclear if he’s guaranteed anything in regards to a starting spot. However, having played a year already in Mark Pope’s system, Garrison may get a nod for the role over one of the transfer pickups. 

Advertisement

Pope and the coaching staff have been publicly confident in the development of “BG” and see him as a vocal leader on and off the court. 

With a full offseason ahead where he’ll be harnessing his skill set and bettering his game in any way possible, Kentucky fans will be glad that Garrison chose to stick around another year. 

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending