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Men's Basketball

John Calipari Says This Kentucky Team Is the Hardest Working Team He Has Ever Coached

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John Calipari says this Kentucky team is playing with "supreme confidence" and he has never had this many players "live in the gym".
Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

When Kentucky battled then No. 1 Kansas in the Champions Classic back at the beginning of the season, taking them to the wire, most came away from that game with the thought “Kentucky is back”. Despite the loss, the Wildcats displayed a star power and exciting style of play that had been absent in recent seasons under John Calipari.

This doesn’t just happen overnight, this happens because of the hard work and repetitions put in over time, building self-confidence, and collectively a team confidence, to be able to run with anyone as young as they are according to Calipari.

“You have to have so much supreme confidence that no one can take it away,” Calipari said after Kentucky’s win over Arkansas. “The only way you get that way is if you live in the gym.”

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There is no better example of that than Justin Edwards.

Back in early January, Edwards was visibly in a low. Hitting the side of the backboard on a wide-open three against Missouri, Edwards was subbed out and put his head down on the bench. The support system was there from the staff and teammates and he was putting in the work in the gym, but things didn’t immediately get better. Over the next five games, Edwards averaged just 3.6 points on 35 percent shooting. Against Arkansas, he played just nine minutes.

Then a gradual improvement took place. First, it was grabbing four rebounds in a physical Tennessee game. Then it was putting up a career-high against Vanderbilt. Then playing some of his best defense in a loss against Gonzaga.

Now Edwards is playing with supreme self-confidence. Over the month of February, Edwwards averaged 10.9 points and 2.9 rebounds on 58.5 percent shooting from the field and 47.6 percent shooting from beyond the arc. This past Saturday against Arkansas, he was big down the stretch, recording three steals and hitting two straight baskets in just over 90 seconds to seal the win.

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It’s not just Edwards, it’s the whole team.

“I’ve had players live in the gym. I’ve not had this many that live in the gym,” Calipari said.

Over the last few weeks, there have been breakout performances from multiple players (i.e. Edwards, Bradshaw, Burks, Ivisic) and that does not come without hard work. The bottom line is the guys on this team get it, from the star-studded freshman class to the elite veteran transfers. This team puts the work in, and hopefully, that will pay off in a big run in March.

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Men's Basketball

Amari Williams Selected No. 46 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 No. 41 by the Phoenix Suns 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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