Men's Basketball

Aaron Bradshaw and His Off-Court Development, “He’s Taking Responsibility”

Published

1 year ago

March 6, 2024

A playful character off the court, Aaron Bradshaw has become one of Kentucky's most mature players.

Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

Coming to Kentucky as a former No. 1 recruit is a lot of pressure, expected to be a star freshman and ultimately a one-and-done player going to the NBA. That pressure can be made worse when those expectations aren’t met, which could allow for some resentment and selfishness.

Not for Aaron Bradshaw.

Once ranked as the No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class, Bradshaw came to Kentucky with those same expectations. A playful character off the court, Bradshaw has grown to be one of the most mature players on this Kentucky team, despite things not going to plan.

First, he suffered an offseason foot injury that sidelined him for six months, including missing GLOBL Jam in the summer and the first month of the regular season. Amidst that, had to endure unfair rumors about if he would ever play for Kentucky. Rumors he showed frustration toward and called “BS” at Kentucky media day.

Upon returning to the court in December, Bradshaw put up a double-double in just his second game, then followed it up with some game-winning plays over North Carolina. It looked as if he was going to live up to that ranking. Then came the struggles, in large part due to the physicality of the SEC.

After averaging 21 minutes in his first eleven games, he has averaged just 10 minutes in the eleven games since. That includes playing single-digit minutes in four of the last five games and looks to be the third big man in Kentucky’s rotation.

His decreasing playing time has coincided with his dropping draft stock. Before the season he projected as a top-10 pick. In December/January, a first-round pick. Now, Bradshaw is not listed on nearly any draft board.

Bradshaw has reason to be upset, but if you look on the bench you will struggle to find anyone happier. Cheering for his teammate’s success and the team’s success.

Just look at this photo. A jubilant smile on Bradshaw’s face as Kentucky beat a Top 15 Auburn team on the road, as double-digit underdogs. By his expression, you wouldn’t know that he had only played three minutes, his lowest minute total of the season.

This started back in the offseason. Unable to play improve on the court, Bradshaw examined for ways to improve off the court. “My main focus is becoming a better teammate,” he told me at Kentucky media day. “It’s not going to be every day I am going to step on the court and play the whole time. There are times I am going to be on the bench.”

A “great teammate” he has been, throughout interviews this season, nearly every player, unprompted has attributed such to Bradshaw. That joy and encouragement toward his teammates even holds for the two players he battles against for playing time, Zvonimir Ivisic and Ugonna Onyenso, who also may be his two closest friends on the team. “The Seven Footers” they call themselves.

“If they’re playing better than me, it’s not their fault, it’s my fault,” Bradshaw said. “Him or Ugo playing better than me, it’s not a bad thing. That’s selfish. If they got it going, they got it going… We all love each other.”

That love has helped each of them lean on one another and overcome hardships this season. Bradshaw and Onyenso with injuries, and Ivisic with his eligibility case. “Aaron is my guy. We’re together every day, on/off the court,” Ivisic said. “He’s helped me a lot. School, practices. Everything that I needed him for, he’s been there for me. He’s my guy, my brother.”

Through the challenges, Bradshaw has also trusted his Hall of Fame coach, John Calipari, who he says is the reason he came to Kentucky.

“Coach Cal really knows what he is doing. He’s doing it on purpose,” Bradshaw said. “I was never a person on the bench. Now that I am, I gotta figure out other ways to impact the game.”

Against Arkansas, Bradshaw found ways to impact the game and he played his best game of 2024, putting up 15 points and 5 rebounds, in just 12 minutes. Calipari, who has since been told of Bradshaw’s comments, applauds his attitude. “Instead of blaming or doing any of that, he’s taking responsibility and he’s playing better.”

For Bradshaw, he has not had the on-court production he hoped for, but it hasn’t stopped him from getting better. Becoming a better man, teammate, and friend off the court.

Related Topics:Aaron Bradshaw John Calipar Kentucky Basketball

Men's Basketball

Kentucky Basketball’s Practice Facility Sees Major Makeover

The Joe Craft Center, after years of casual criticism from Wildcats fans, has finally been given an upgrade.

Published

9 hours ago

June 21, 2025

Lane Mills

UK Athletics

Maybe the weirdest qualm of many that plagued John Calipari’s tenure at Kentucky were the consistent complaints about the team’s practice facility, the Joe Craft Center.

From exaggerated rumors about leaks in the ceiling to general observations made about the court and facilities, fans, especially towards the end of that era, pointed to the Craft Center’s age as one of many signs of the times. Even in spite of occasional, supposed changes now and again.

In only his second year, Mark Pope has seemingly already addressed that complaint — at least to an extent.

The official Kentucky men’s basketball account recently posted a video across all social media platforms of the team during summer practice, featuring and obviously removed Craft Center court.

The court itself has been redone, in addition to the graphics and banners on the wall. Alongside the hanging threads celebrating the program’s eight national championships, a ninth one has been tacked onto the end.

It simply reads: “#9 – The Assignment.” If fans weren’t already excited enough for Coach Pope’s sophomore season, a ninth title banner being fixed in the renovation’s spotlight should send folks through the roof.

It may seem like a small thing, but given the program’s track record in the last few years, it’s the small things that feel the biggest. Mark Pope not only understands the assignment, but he’s making sure his team does, too.

Men's Basketball

Jasper Johnson Makes Final U19 USA Roster Under Coach Mark Pope

Jasper Johnson has advanced in the U19 USA camp for the second time alongside the nation’s best recruits, and under Mark Pope’s wing.

Published

1 day ago

June 20, 2025

Lane Mills

Instagram: @bruhjasperj (UK Athletics)

In a surprisingly relevant development smack dab in the middle of the offseason, Jasper Johnson has yet again advanced in the pool of players participating in the USA U19 camp.

The program, which could be a described as a sort of extension of the Team USA that just took home the gold in 2024, is comprised of some of the nation’s most anticipated talents set to take collegiate courts in the next couple of seasons.

Blue Gets In

Among them is Kentucky native and commit Johnson, and was also incoming Cat Malachi Moreno, before the latter was cut as a result of a mild injury he obtained throughout the camp’s course. Despite Moreno’s exit, his future teammate continues to impress.

Under the wing of Coach Mark Pope, who’s helmed the team in the camp up to this point, Johnson has now made the final cut after multiple roster slashes – he and only 11 other players remain in the minority that will go forward to actually compete for the team in the 2025 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup, which will take place June 28 through July 6 in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The pre-competition camp serves not only as a trial of play before these athletes disperse to their own respective rosters this fall and next, but for Johnson, as a preview of what it’s like to play under Coach Pope. If his current success is any indicator, Kentucky fans may be in for something special when the pair tackle opposing teams together for the blue and white.

In similar noteworthy news, also attending the event are Taylen Kinney and Tyran Stokes, two Kentucky-born athletes with ties to Kentucky that the program is heavily recruiting. Jasper’s strong performance, combined with Coach Pope’s presence, can only help the Wildcats’ chances on that front, too.

To say the least, Mark Pope has found a way to facilitate Kentucky’s influence far beyond the boundaries of Lexington. He and Johnson, for the time being, will continue to press turn heads on the national stage, and it’s very likely that fans aren’t the only ones paying attention.

Men's Basketball

Archie Goodwin and Kahlil Whitney Set to Join La Familia This Summer

La Familia continues to add more firepower to the 2025 roster.

Published

2 days ago

June 19, 2025

Kai McClelland

James Crisp (Left), Adam Hunger (Right) | Associated Press

As the start of the 2025 TBT Tournament inches closer, La Familia has been slowly but surely adding star Wildcats to the roster.

Usually, we see announcements for new additions to the squad roll out on social media in some form, whether it be a post from La Familia’s official accounts or in form of Ansley Almonor’s announcement, which took place on BBN Tonight.

However, this time, Archie Goodwin and Kahlil “The Dragon” Whitney were added to the roster on the TBT website without any announcement, surprising Big Blue Nation as the news leaked and began to circulate.

They were removed from the website afterwards, but as of Thursday, June 19, appear on the website as listed members of the roster.

Goodwin has been an active member for years, highlighted by his semifinals appearance last year where he averaged 13.8 points per game en route.

Whitney is a name that may cause some to shed a tear, with so much potential surrounding the former five-star leading up to his debut. Ultimately, he left the program after appearing in just 18 games for Kentucky.

La Familia is competitive as all get out, shown by chippy play with guys who have nothing to lose but everything to win for the place they call home. Goodwin and Whitney, now added to that list of guys, will look to redeem themselves with one goal in mind. Win.

The official La Familia roster as of June 19:

– Willie Cauley-Stein (2012-15)

– Doron Lamb (2010-12)

– DeAndre Liggins (2008-11)

– Aaron Harrison (2013-15)

– Andrew Harrison (2013-15)

– Ansley Almonor (2024-25)

– Archie Goodwin (2012-13)

– Kahlil Whitney (2019-20)