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Former UK Basketball Manager Returns as Head Coach, Gives Emotional Message

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Twitter/UK MBB Managers

On Sunday night, Will Martin returned to Rupp Arena for the first time since 2012, when he was a team manager for the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team.

However, this time he returned as the head coach for Missouri Western State.

Starting as a team manager in 2009, under coach Billy Gillispie, Martin saw the highs and lows of Kentucky basketball.

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In his first year, Martin was part of a team that ended a streak of 19 consecutive tournament appearances as they went on to the NIT, but followed it up with three Elite Eights, two Final Fours, and a national title in his final three years at UK under Calipari.

Following his time at Kentucky, Martin had several coaching stops for each at various levels of basketball, but was named Missouri State Western head coach in 2020 and brought on two familiar names – former Wildcats – with him to be assistant coaches, Jon Hood and Perry Stevenson.

Martin worked hard to get where he is and has a significant amount of appreciation for his time at Kentucky, but also thanks Coach Calipari for showing him how to be a players-first coach.

Prior to the game, Martin talked about this with Jack Pilgrim of Kentucky Sports Radio.

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“I wish people knew on the inside just how real and authentic that is. I’ve never been around a human being that really seeks to serve at a higher level and on a deeper level than Coach Cal. He instilled that in all of us. He instilled a servant leadership attitude, to put yourself second or to put yourself last and put others first. That’s how I tried to lead with this program.”

Following the game on Sunday night, Martin gave even more praise and the ultimate recruiting pitch for Kentucky.

“I’m beyond words what this game meant for me and my staff… Everything I am as a man and as a coach is because of Coach Cal. If you are a top-100 player or transfer, you are crazy if you don’t come here and play for Coach Cal.”

Watch the rest here.

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Men's Basketball

Three Wildcats Heading to NBA Draft Combine

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Jayden Quaintance, Otega Oweh, and Malachi Moreno are all heading to the 2026 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. Here's what's at stake for each Kentucky Wildcat — and what Big Blue Nation should be watching for.
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Kentucky Basketball is sending a trio to the 2026 NBA Draft Combine.

The NBA officially announced 73 participants for the 2026 Combine, with Jayden Quaintance, Malachi Moreno, and Otega Oweh all representing Kentucky.

Interestingly, the pool to select combine participants is growing smaller. Just 71 college players entered their name in the NBA Draft this year, down from 106 last year and a peak of 363 in 2021. That’s the lowest early-entrant total since 2003.

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For Kentucky, Quaintance is still the headliner. Once viewed as a lottery lock before playing just four games for Kentucky last season due to lingering issues from an ACL tear, his stock has fallen and currently ranges from mid-late first round, 18th in ESPN‘s latest projections.

Still, NBA teams draft on potential, and a big man with his footwork, passing ability, and rim protection at just 18 is a unicorn. The medicals at the Combine will be crucial, and Chicago is where that process begins in earnest.

Oweh tested the draft waters in 2025, returned to Lexington, and made the most of it. The senior guard was Kentucky’s leading scorer in back-to-back seasons, averaging 18.2 points per game this past year. He currently sits at No. 76 (ESPN) in draft rankings, on the bubble, but the Combine is exactly where a player like Oweh can make a leap.

Then there’s Moreno, the wildcard. ESPN‘s latest mock draft projects Moreno at No. 44 to the Brooklyn Nets in the second round, though he’s still widely expected to return to Lexington for his sophomore season and a be a centerpiece for the Wildcats after an All-SEC freshman season. Moreno has first round potential.

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The Combine is set to take place at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago from May 10th-17th, and will be televised on ESPN2 and NBA TV.

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Football

UK Moves Forward with Plans for Entertainment District Near Kroger Field

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The University of Kentucky is moving forward with a new entertainment district near Kroger Field, selecting the “Cooper Connector” proposal ahead of construction.
UK Athletics

Last year, Champions Blue LLC, the LLC created for UK Athletics, announced the plan to build an entertainment district near Kroger Field to create a new revenue stream. Earlier this week, the school made the next step before the district’s construction, choosing one of four proposals.

On Tuesday, Kevin Locke, UK’s Associate Vice President of planning, design and construction, informed the Champions Blue Board of Governors that the school is moving forward with the “Cooper Connector” plan. This proposal is based on similar districts created near arenas for Ohio State University, Arizona State University, the Green Bay Packers, and the Atlanta Braves.

As an effect of this plan, Bluegrass Community and Technical College will vacate from the school’s original home on Cooper Drive by the end of 2026, a spokesperson told the Lexington Herald-Leader.

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Despite BCTC still holding classes, Kentucky originally took control over the property with an agreement in 2008, after BCTC built a new campus at the former site of Eastern State Hospital, which moved to land owned by UK on the Coldstream Research campus.

The “Cooper Connector” plan includes retail and a hotel conference center, but dining will serve as the anchor, as Locke explained to the board on Tuesday.

“Food and beverage, that would serve as the anchor use for this scheme,” Locke said. “This location needs genuine energy, with multiple retail spots creating critical mass, rather than an isolated, one-off destination. And with the right mix of food, entertainment, and access, this corridor will come alive and attract private investors as well as become an asset for the university, staff, and surrounding community.”

With the plan, there are still some final decisions to be made over the coming weeks, including the precise location for the hotel conference center.

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Perhaps the biggest decision will be whether to include a multi-use facility that would include a new basketball practice facility into the Kroger Field entertainment district or as part of a district to be built near Historic Memorial Coliseum that will include retail, housing, and parking. A conversation study is needed, set to be complete this summer.

Also posted on A Sea of Blue.

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BB Recruiting

Mark Pope Flying to Israel to Visit “Up and Coming” Brazilian Basketball Player Marcio Santos, in “Advanced Talks”

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Kentucky basketball is targeting Brazilian prospect Marcio Santos as Mark Pope expands recruiting globally. Latest updates on UK’s pursuit and fit.
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Mark Pope is on an international search to help fill Kentucky’s roster. Already singing Senegalese prospect Ousmane N’Diaye last week, a new target has emerged.

On Tuesday night, following a visit with the top ranked prospect prospect in the 2027 class, CJ Rosser, Pope caught a flight to JFK airport in New York City, and from there to Tel Aviv, Israel to visit 23-year-old Brazilian prospect Marcio Santos. Note, he would be 24 years old at the start of next season.

Santos currently plays for Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club, a club that plays in the Israeli Premier League and internationally in the EuroLeague. Having won six EuroLeague titles, and sending a number of players to the NBA Draft, including Deni Avdija and Omri Casspi, the club is considered to be one of the best in all of Europe.

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In his first season with the club, Santos is averaging 6.9 points, 1.6 boards and 0.6 steals on 40% shooting from deep.

Prior to playing with Maccabi, Santos spent a season with German club Ratiopharm Ulm, averaging 8.4 points, 3.7 boards and 0.8 steals in the German League, helping them reach to the playoff finals.

Santos started his career with Franca in his native Brazil, helping secure three straight Brazilian League crowns. In 2022-23 was part of the side that won the FIBA Intercontinental Cup and BCL Americas titles.

With a 6-8, 250-pound frame, Santos plays currently as a four or a five, being undersized for the latter with taller matchups, leading to rebounding and interior defense struggles. That said, his coach, Oded Katash, loves his versatility.

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“He can finish plays near the rim and step outside to shoot,” Katash said. “He plays with passion and enthusiasm, and knows how to show toughness and defensive aggressiveness. He’s a smart physical player who helps the team in many areas of the game. He’s a solid playmaking big man with sharp passing instincts.”

Pope flying to visit Santos shows very real interest, and according to sources, Kentucky has made an offer and are in “advanced talks” with Santos. Signed to a three year deal with Maccabi, earning $600k annually, part of the NIL agreement would be a buyout of his current contract.

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