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

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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.

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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.

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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.

Elliott Hess | UK Athletics

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.”

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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.”

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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.

Men's Basketball

Kentucky Transfer Jaland Lowe Withdraws From 2025 NBA Draft

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Jaland Lowe
UK Athletics

Jaland Lowe, the presumed starting point guard for Mark Pope’s 2025-26 squad, has officially withdrawn his name from the 2025 NBA Draft and will suit up for the Wildcats in his junior season.

Lowe announced his decision on social media on Thursday, May 22, stating that he “Can’t miss this opportunity” to continue the legacy of great Kentucky guards.

The former Pittsburgh Panther is coming off of a dominant sophomore season, averaging 16.8 points per game to go along with 5.5 assists per game. He took on the load of Pittsburgh’s offense, resulting in low shooting percentages from both the field and from deep.

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However, Mark Pope, in a recent interview with KSR, stated he wants to make things easier for Lowe.

“Jaland Lowe was elite level, in terms of the raw stats, points, assists, everything else he did in the game was really good, but he wasn’t a super efficient player last year,” Pope said. “Not dissimilar in some ways from Lamont Butler…with a little bit of study, and a little bit of humility and curiosity, we can transform your efficiency like crazy.”

Lowe can do a little bit of everything on the court, and adds another layer of balance and depth to a deep Kentucky squad. He’s athletic, can play defense, and as promised by Pope, will be way more efficient on the offensive side of the ball.

Now that things are officially official, Lowe will look to capitalize on having less pressure on his shoulders at Kentucky and lead the team to that desperate No. 9 championship.

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Men's Basketball

Making History: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Named NBA’s 2024-2025 MVP

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Former Wildcat and current Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander becomes the first Kentucky player to win the NBA's MVP award.
Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai GilgeousAlexander becomes the first former Wildcat to win the NBA’s MVP award.

After leading his team to a league-best 68-14 record, clinching the number one seed in the Western Conference for the second consecutive season. GilgeousAlexander led the NBA with 32.7 points per game. 

A proven three-level scorer, the recently crowned MVP had the most 20-, 30-, 40- and 50-point games this season. On an efficient 51.9% from the field.

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The last MVP-winning guard to shoot above 50% in a season was unanimous victor Stephen Curry in the 2015-2016 season.

GilgeousAlexander is known for being able to score from anywhere on the floor. In addition to having a knack for drawing fouls, he led the NBA with 7.9 free-throw attempts per game. 

His tendency to draw fouls has been a topic of debate amongst fans. However, it’s undeniable that GilgeousAlexander is one of the best from the line, shooting at a near 90% clip in the regular season.

Defensively, the Thunder guard was a standout, averaging a block, one of five guards to do so, and 1.7 steals per game.

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GilgeousAlexander beat out Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

In recent years, the MVP battle has favored big men, as the former Wildcat becomes the first guard to win MVP since former Houston Rocket James Harden accomplished the feat in the 2017-18 season.

Jokic has been on a historic run by winning three of the last four MVP awards. In 2024, Jokic edged out GilgeousAlexander, who finished in second place last year. 

Meanwhile, the 6-foot-11 Antetokounmpo won back-to-back MVP awards in 2019 and 2020.

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Joining a class of his own, GilgeousAlexander is the first of 137 NBA-bound former Kentucky players to win the NBA’s MVP award. His journey to the top is a unique one.

Hailing from Ontario, Canada, GilgeousAlexander chose to play for the 2016 Canadian national team rather than taking the traditional AAU circuit. This meant he would be missing the Nike, Under Armour, and Adidas circuits, where athletes often show off their skills for scouts.

Nevertheless, GilgeousAlexander was named a consensus four-star prospect.

Originally, GilgeousAlexander committed to the University of Florida as a senior in high school. Ultimately, the coveted prospect reopened his recruitment process and later opted for Kentucky over Florida, Syracuse, UNLV, NC State, Texas and Kansas.

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Joining a stacked 2017 recruiting class curated by head coach John Calipari that featured future NBA players Jarred Vanderbilt, Hamidou Diallo, Nick Richards, Kevin Knox and PJ Washington.

In his lone season in Lexington, GilgeousAlexander led Kentucky in scoring with 21 points per game on 55.3% shooting from the field to pair with 6.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. The Wildcats went 26-11 in the regular season. 

GilgeousAlexander and the Cats trekked through the SEC Tournament, beating Georgia and Alabama handily in the opening rounds. The Wildcats went on to beat their border state rival, Tennessee, in the SEC Championship game; GilgeousAlexander went off for a collegiate career-high 29 points in the 77-72 victory. 

It stands today as Kentucky’s most recent SEC Championship. 

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Unfortunately for the Wildcats, their season would come to an end in the Sweet Sixteen. Kentucky lost narrowly, 61-58, against the Wildcats of Kansas State. 

Despite Kentucky’s shortcomings, it was a successful individual season for GilgeousAlexander, as he was named to the All-SEC Second Team and the SEC All-Freshman Team. 

The Canadian native declared for the 2018 NBA Draft after a promising second half of the season. 

GilgeousAlexander was drafted No. 11 by the Charlotte Hornets but was immediately traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in a pick swap. Charlotte received the No. 12 selection, which became Miles Bridges from Michigan State, and two future second-round picks. 

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According to Bleacher Report, the freshly drafted prospect was comparable to the likes of NBA veterans Shaun Livingston and Alfred Payton due to his 6-foot-6 frame and almost 7-foot wingspan. 

In the eyes of scouts, he lacked a quick twitch and a reliable jump shot despite being a lottery pick.

GilgeousAlexander spent his rookie season in Los Angeles, starting 73 games for the Clippers while averaging 10.3 points, 3.3 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game. The Clippers guard finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting and was named to the All-Rookie Second Team.

Los Angeles snuck into the playoffs as an No. 8 seed to face off against the back-to-back champion Golden State Warriors. The Clippers lost in a competitive six-game series.

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On July 10, 2019, GilgeousAlexander was traded for the second time in his career. In blockbuster fashion, Oklahoma City traded star Paul George to the Clippers in exchange for Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, five first-round draft picks and the rights to swap two other first-round picks. 

Since arriving in Oklahoma City, Gilgeous-Alexander’s career has blossomed.

Over the previous three seasons, the Thunder have steadily improved in parallel to Gilgeous-Alexander as a player. For the third straight season, the Thunder superstar has been named an All-Star and finished top-5 in MVP voting.

Additionally, this will be Gilgeous-Alexander’s third straight All-NBA First Team nod.

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Gilgeous-Alexander becomes the third Thunder player to win MVP in franchise history, following in the footsteps of Oklahoma City legends and future Hall of Famers Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. 

Currently, the Thunder are in pursuit of an NBA Championship led by Gilgeous-Alexander. 

Oklahoma City beat the Memphis Grizzlies in a 4-0 sweep in round one. The Thunder beat the Jokic-led Denver Nuggets in the second round in seven games to punch a ticket to the Western Conference Finals.

This week, Oklahoma City faces off against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Thus far, Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder hold a 1-0 lead in the series.

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The winner will place a bid in the 2025 NBA Finals.

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Men's Basketball

Four Star Freshman Forward Commits to Kentucky

Boom! Mark Pope lands his latest in a long line of impressive commitments ahead of the 2025-26 basketball season.

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Braydon Hawthorne commits to Kentucky.
UK Athletics

Another domino falls for Kentucky’s 2025-26′ roster, this time in the form of four star freshman guard Braydon Hawthorne’s commitment.

Hawthorne, a former WVU commit before the program’s coaching change, has slowly but surely risen on recruiting ranks nationwide, going from completely unranked to in the Top 100 across the board. On3 ranks him as the 48th-best of class recruit for 2025.

He chose Kentucky over a multitude of schools, from mid-majors to power four programs, with West Virginia appearing to have been the opposite frontrunner. Hawthorne’s commitment comes shortly after his official visit to Kentucky on Thursday, April 17, as well as after a trip to Virginia Tech, which took place the following day.

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The 6’8″, 175 small forward will bring versatile wing play to a Kentucky team that has already loaded up on athleticism and size. His 7-foot-3 wingspan alone is enough to raise eyebrows, but beyond the numbers, Hawthorne is a pure scorer with an invisible ceiling.

Heading into Lexington as a true freshman, too, the Big Blue Nation might get used to seeing him around for a while. While the Mark Pope era thus far has been predominately focused on veteran talent, it’s important going forward to sprinkle in some future-proofing players too, and Hawthorne fits that bill and then some.

BBN can show their support to the newest Wildcat on X (@BraydonH20) and Instragram (@braydonhawthorne). With yet another highly-ranked recruit down, Pope has put together one of the most dangerous rosters in the country. Fall can’t come soon enough.

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