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Info On Kentucky’s Closed Scrimmage with Transylvania

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Due to COVID-19, Kentucky’s game against South Carolina last night was canceled. Kentucky tried to schedule multiple games, but all plans fell through. John Calipari instead chose to scrimmage Transylvania at Rupp Arena.

I spoke to a source last night close to the scrimmage and this is what they said.

Kentucky won by 20-25

The source that I spoke to said that Kentucky and Transy scrimmaged for 40 minutes and then did “situational stuff.” From what I was told, Kentucky won by 20-25 in a “weird format with lots of stoppages in play.”

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However, Transy was missing their two best players.

Dontaie Allen hit 7-8 three’s but was a liability on defense

Fans, including myself, have been begging for Dontaie Allen to get playing time. Cal said last Monday night on his call-in-show that he had talked to Dontaie and told him he was going to get his chance. Last night he did, and the source told me that Allen “hit 7-8 three’s.”

But, the source also told me that Allen “is a major liability on defense and that’s why he doesn’t play.”

Kentucky doesn’t have a leader and isn’t very coachable

A great team needs a great leader and the source I spoke to said “Kentucky doesn’t have a real leader.” According to the source, “They played for four hours and no one was leading the team. Cal has to say something five times before they get it and there was a lot of screwing around. They don’t have a true leader and aren’t really coachable.”

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Terrence Clarke didn’t play

It was reported by Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio earlier last week that Terrence Clarke had been in a walking boot and had missed practice for most of the week. However, Cal did try to play him against Louisville, but admitted that “it was a mistake” in his postgame presser.

The source that I spoke to said that Clarke did not play and was in a walking boot the whole time.

Cam’Ron Fletcher

Something happened after the UNC loss and whatever it was, it wasn’t good. The whole ordeal ended in Cam’Ron Fletcher going home and then Cal taking a shot at him in his Louisville postgame presser.

According to the source, “Fletcher played, but didn’t play much” and had an “okay” attitude.

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BJ Boston is close

The most disappointing thing about this season so far is the lack of production from BJ Boston. A superstar coming into the year hasn’t performed close to the level Kentucky needs him to. According to the source, “Boston played good and is getting close. He was money from mid-range.”

This is uncharted territory for John Calipari

The source that I spoke with said that they talked to Calipari for around 10-15 minutes and it was obvious he wasn’t sure what to do.

“Cal has never been 1-6 before” the source said. “This is uncharted territory for Cal and it seemed like he wasn’t sure what to do.”

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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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