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Big Blue Madness 2023 Recap and Takeaways

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Kentucky Wildcats forward Zvonimir Ivisic (44) celebrates with guard Joey Hart (20) during the dunk contest during Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center.
© Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

There was a lot of hype surrounding this year’s edition of Big Blue Madness. Let’s be real, it has been very underwhelming in the last few years, but there was an element of anticipation that gave #BBM23 some life. Whether it was the debut of Zvonimir Ivisic or the hope of a surprise, big-name guest, the air was full of excitement in Rupp Arena.

Following the shows that the women’s basketball team, the cheer team, and the dance team put on for the BBN, it was finally time for some men’s basketball. The lights in the arena shut off, and the blue light sticks came out. A long list of recruits were in the house, and it’s safe to say that they had a lot to take in from the event.

Big Z is Finally Here and in a Kentucky Uniform

While his night ended after warmups, Zvonimir Ivisic finally got his first look of what it is like to be a Kentucky Wildcat, performing in front of the BBN. His night began with a warm welcome during the introductions. Then, in warmups, Ivisic was the spectacle everyone wanted to see. Towering over all of his teammates, he wasn’t hard to find, either.

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Big Z put on his own mini-dunk contest for the fans as he was throwing down monstrous two-handed flushes and even a windmill during warmups. While we didn’t get to see him in a scrimmage setting, it is a big, big sigh of relief to see him in blue and white. However, John Calipari announced that Ivisic will see his first game-like action at the Blue-White game at NKU on October 21st.

Joey Hart Can be a Contributor

It has been a big week for three-star freshman Joey Hart. The Linton, Indiana native really got things going at UK Pro Day. Unfortunately, Adou Thiero (who was held out of BBM, by the way) went down with an ankle injury. For Joey Hart, however, that meant an opportunity for him to step up. And step up he did.

At Pro Day, Hart made made three after three, and at the end, Calipari even mentioned how NBA scouts were asking, “Who’s number 20?” Well, as confirmed at Big Blue Madness, number 20 is one of the more fun players on this team. With some prime Vince Carter-like dunks, Hart won the dunk contest.

In the scrimmage, Hart had some good moments on defense as well, causing disruption and forcing misses. Over the course of three days, Hart proved that he will be a much-needed component of the 2023-24 team, especially early on as Kentucky is dealing with a few injuries.

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Flamethrower. Money. Automatic. Antonio Reeves.

In case it wasn’t obvious, the return of Antonio Reeves is going to be a tremendous get for Cal and this team. Reeves’ night began in the three-point contest where he was absolutely on fire. In round one, Reeves put up 26 points, the most of the entire competition. In the finals, he scored 20 points to Reed Sheppard’s 18 to win the event.

Reeves has now won back-to-back Big Blue Madness three-point contests, but perhaps his biggest moments came during the scrimmage. Reeves was all over the court. On defense, sharing the rock, even throwing down a big dunk. Of course, he was still knocking down triples.

Scoring 14.4 points per game and shooting 39.8% from three last season was definitely a big positive, and it looks like we’ll see similar production this season. Don’t be surprised if he is the team’s scoring leader, averaging around 18 points per game and shooting around 42% or so from three. He had a great season last year, but he’s looking even better. Watch out, college basketball.


The 2023 edition of Big Blue Madness was… something. While it was nice to see DeMarcus Cousins in Lexington once again, UK missed out on some big-time guests. Musical artists Lil Wayne and Lil Durk were rumored to make an appearance, but a rumor is all it was. And once again, the scrimmage was a recreation of what happens in your local YMCA at times. There were still some good things to take away from the event, however. The BBN should be excited for this upcoming season.

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BB Recruiting

Multiple Transfers Meet With Kentucky on Wednesday

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The transfer portal is active, and Zoom stock is going up as college coaches are video chatting around the clock to build their rosters, including Kentucky.

On Wednesday, Mark Pope and the Kentucky staff added three more names to the Zoom list.

Alex Wilkins (Guard, Furman), 4⭐️, 46th-ranked transfer

Class: Sophomore
Physicals: 6-5, 175 lbs
Last season averages: 17.8 PPG, 4.7 APG, 46% FG, 32.8% 3P

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An underrated prospect coming out of high school, Wilkins splashed on the scene this year at Furman. As a freshman, he led his team to the NCAA Tournament, averaging 17.8 points and 4.7 assists and earning second team All-SoCon honors.

There were few players as critical to their team’s success as Wilkins, leading the SoCon in possession usage (34.4%) and shot usage (31.7%). That does lend some explanation to his poor shooting splits and turnover concerns (3.8 turnovers per game).

A quick, wirey guard, Wilkins is a capable scorer at all three levels, and can create for his teammates. However, he needs to add some muscle for power conference competition, and needs to have more consistent effort on the defensive end.

A freshman, those are both correctable things.

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Isaac Celiscar (Forward, Yale), 4⭐️, 84th-ranked transfer

Class: Junior
Physicals: 6-6, 210 lbs
Last season averages: 13.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.2 APG, 57.3% FG, 40.7% 3P

Isaac Celiscar is one of the most efficient, versatile players in the transfer portal.

The first takeaway, averaging 13.2 point per game with 57.3 percent shooting, he is extremely efficient on limited opportunities. Shooting nearly 41 percent from deep, he is a threat from deep as well. That efficiency carries over to his passing, as he averages more than three assists per game, on just 1.3 turnovers per game.

Celiscar grades out as a glue-guy with great offensive skills and good feel for the game, but he does have limitations in terms of his athleticism and shot creation.

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Jalen Cox (Guard, Colgate), 3⭐️ , 149th-ranked transfer

Class: Senior
Physicals: 6-3, 180 lbs
Last season averages: 17.9 PPG, 5.3 APG, 5.0 RPG, 52.1% FG, 36.5% 3P

Jalen Cox is the lowest ranked player Kentucky has reached out to, but the Wildcats need depth and Cox is a experienced guard with proven production.

Averaging 17.9 points and 5.3 assists (2.0+ assist-to-turnover ratio) per game on 52 percent shooting from the field, Cox is a versatile and efficient offensive player. He has also multiple conference All-Defense selections too, making him a two way player.

The biggest concern with Cox is his athletic ceiling and how that translates to power conference competition. However an experienced two way player is a great rotation piece.

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Top Five Transfer Paulius Murauskas Moves Up Call, Talks With Kentucky on Wednesday

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Kentucky met with Saint Mary's transfer Paulius Muruaskas, one of the top forwards in the transfer portal, on Wednesday and is looking to schedule a visit for him to come to Lexington.
Saint Mary's Athletics

Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats are as busy as anyone in the transfer portal. On Wednesday, they met with their biggest fish of this transfer portal cycle so far, Paulius Murauskas.

Originally scheduled for Thursday, the Wildcats met with Murauskas via Zoom video call on Wednesday, per source.

Currently ranked 4th overall in 247Sports transfer rankings, the top-ranked forward, Murauskas is the prototypical modern basketball player. Good size at 6-foot-8, 235 pounds, with the ability to create for himself and others, has a good handle, and overall good feel for the game.

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Murauskas started his collegiate career at Arizona after some professional experience in Lithuania. Playing just five minutes per game with the Wildcats as a freshman, Murauskas transferred to Saint Mary’s, where he has flourished and earned All-Conference honors the last two seasons.

This past season, Murauskas averaged 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds, on 48.2 percent shooting from the field and 33.3 percent from deep. As for his weaknesses, he is not super athletic, and he does need to be more consistent with his shot.

Originally thought to follow former Saint Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett to Arizona State, Murauskas is exploring all options. Following the Zoom, Kentucky is trying to get him on campus for a visit in the near future.

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Top 20 Transfer Donnie Freeman Meets With Kentucky on Wednesday

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The Kentucky basketball staff is meeting with Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman on Wednesday, a top 20 player in the transfer portal.
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The transfer portal has been open for less than 48 hours, but one name that has been consistently linked to Kentucky has been Syracuse forward Donnie Freeman, even going back before the portal officially opened.

Currently ranked 16th overall in this year’s portal class, the fifth-ranked forward, Freeman had a Zoom video call with Kentucky on Wednesday afternoon.

Playing for the Bahamas National Team in the 2024 Olympic Qualifying tournament, Freeman also has a connection to Kentucky assistant coach Mikhail McLean, who was an associate head coach for the team.

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One of the bigger names in the portal and for good reason, a top-15 player, McDonald’s All-American coming out of high school, Freeman has been a big impact player through two seasons with the Orange. This past season, he averaged 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds, on 47.4 percent shooting from the field and 30.2 percent shooting from deep.

Freeman will have NBA eyes on him wherever he goes. Physically, he has the size and athleticism. That allows him to be versatile on defense, capable of defending multiple positions; having the speed to defend smaller players, and length to affect shots in the paint.

Offensively, his physical tools help him excel in transition and as a slasher, having good touch around the rim. Shooting 30+ percent from deep through two seasons, enough to keep defenses honest, his shot is inconsistent and has a slight hitch in mechanics. Though the biggest area of concern is his struggle with turnovers, having a negative assist-to-turnover ratio in both collegiate seasons.

It’s also worth noting that Freeman has suffered right foot injuries in back-to-back seasons, sidelining him for 28 games total.

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Freeman has the physical tools and skills to be an first round draft pick, but needs some refinement, and Kentucky is interested.

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