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Jaxson Robinson Remains Hot as Kentucky Topples Texas A&M in SEC Showdown

Kentucky extends their conference winning streak to two straight with a convincing home win over the Texas A&M Aggies.

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Kentucky guard Jaxson Robinson celebrates after a hitting a three against Texas A&M.
Elliott Hess | UK Athletics

Fresh off their ranked road win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs, Kentucky found themselves back in Rupp Arena for another in-conference matchup against the Texas A&M Aggies.

The Aggies, who entered the game slotted at #11 in the AP poll, were without their longtime scoring leader Wade Taylor IV, and coming off a loss at home against Alabama. Their luck didn’t renew in Lexington.

Early Struggles

Although early on, it appeared that it might. A&M led for the majority of the first half, holding Kentucky to 1/11 from downtown at one point and staving off any potential runs with timely three-pointers of their own.

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Lamont Butler suffered a scary fall and sat for a stretch, whilst Amari Williams and Andrew Carr joined him on the bench with foul trouble. For a moment, things looked bleak.

That is, until Jaxson Robinson picked up where he left off in Starkville.

Action Jaxson

Robinson ended the half with a triple, reclaiming a lead for Kentucky at 35-32 (their first since 11-8) and moving his first-period total to 15 points. He had four threes in the opening 20 minutes alone.

Kentucky’s lead only grew from the beginning of the second half onward. Robinson wasted no time tallying another three out of the break, soon to be accompanied by an Otega Oweh slam for the ages. That dunk, in addition to dominating social medias across the board, felt like a premature dagger in a game where Kentucky unfailingly controlled the momentum when it mattered.

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After two more buckets from Robinson, two threes from Perry, and one from Koby Brea (who has made a three in every contest this season, and in 32 games in a row,) A&M found themselves unable to get any closer than arms length.

Board Games

In the postgame press conference, on top of commending Robinson’s ability to overcome a slow start, Mark Pope praised his extensive effort on defense and, more specifically, the glass, “It’s fun to see growth… he’s been consistently great on the defensive end.”

“And for him to be in this game, this particular game, and do what he did on the glass is massive.”

Robinson led the team in scoring with 22 points and grabbed eight total rebounds, including one on the offensive end. Kentucky as a whole out-rebounded A&M, who ranks eighth in the nation in rebounds, 40-30.

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In regard to UK’s impressive showing on the boards, Robinson said, “It was huge. That was the big emphasis before the game, we knew that they were the best offensive rebounding team in the country.”

It was a matter of staying focused, he said, and it’s clear that the Wildcats accomplished that and then some.

As the team prepares for the Alabama Crimson Tide this Saturday, Jan. 19th, their newfound success on the glass and looming physical presence bode well for their chances. Not only in that game, but in any SEC bout going forward.

At 3-1 in the conference and 14-3 overall, Kentucky is building one of the best resumes in college basketball and, according to Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams, are “good enough to win the national championship.”

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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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