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Kentucky Basketball to Launch New NIL Collective to Make Kentucky the “Top NIL Destination in College Basketball”

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Kentucky basketball is set to announce a new NIL collective.
Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

“Name, image, likeness,” aka NIL, has taken over college athletics. Love it or hate it, you can’t be competitive without it. Kentucky basketball is doing its part to stay on the forefront.

Earlier this week, KY Insider received word that there would be some positive news on Kentucky basketball’s NIL. On Wednesday, that was confirmed. KSR’s Matt Jones reported that Kentucky basketball will be launching a new NIL fund on Thursday, with both John Calipari and Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart heavily involved in the launch.

“Hearing an official Kentucky Basketball NIL Fund will be officially launched tomorrow for the purpose of making UK Basketball the top NIL destination in College Basketball. [John] Calipari and others part of the launch,” Jones said. “As part of the new Kentucky Basketball NIL Fund, fans will be able to participate in ways that include donations but also being active in non-financial ways.”

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Last summer, John Calipari was able to collect a significant amount of money via boosters and former players for the 2023-24 season for a rumored $7 million in NIL, among the elite in college basketball. This collective will help keep the Wildcats at that level and maybe even higher.

It is notable that this collective is being supported by Barnhart, who has been criticized for being behind in his views of NIL. Those views seem to changing. Even last week, Barnhart put out a video promoting Kentucky’s current NIL activities.

Barnhart did work with Calipari to make this happen, with Trilly Donavan even suggesting Barnhart got “nervous” about Calipari potentially leaving. While those two may not have the best personal relationship, it is not as bad as some suggest. This news is proof they still work together and want what is best for the program. It also suggests that John Calipari intends to continue coaching at Kentucky for the near future.

It will be interesting to see how Big Blue Nation will be able to participate, even in non-financial ways as Jones pointed out. That said, this is a promising development for the future of Kentucky Basketball.

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Q & A With Newest Kentucky Basketball Commit Reece Potter

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Kentucky basketball commit and Miami (OH) transfer Reece Potter
Miami (OH) Athletics

The week is off to a great start for the Kentucky Wildcats as they added 7-foot-2 Reece Potter to the roster on Monday.

Potter, a Lexington native, played two seasons at Miami (OH) before entering the transfer portal this offseason. He elected to fulfill a childhood dream to be a Kentucky Wildcat, choosing Kentucky over the likes of Dayton, North Carolina, Washington, and Wisconsin.

In his own words, “They didn’t really have to sell me on anything,” Potter said to Kentucky Insider shortly after making it official with Mark Pope on Sunday night. “I have always known what the blue and white means, being a Kentucky kid, so it’s kind of hard to say no.”

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Potter spoke with Kentucky Insider about his recruiting process, commitment to Kentucky, and more!

Q: You entered the transfer portal in late March. When did playing for Kentucky start to become a possibility?

Potter: It was definitely later. So, I had a bunch of colleges reach out to me in the beginning, and then Kentucky. Coach Fueger messaged me like a month ago or so, with the opportunity to talk to me and to start to get to know me. I was trying to get towards the end of my recruitment, but as soon as Kentucky contacted me, I was like, ‘Oh, well, that’s where I’m going.’

Q: What other schools were involved in your recruitment?

Potter: I talked to Dayton a lot. I went on a visit there. I was talking to Wisconsin a lot. I was talking to Washington a lot, and then North Carolina was probably the one leading. You know, I talked to Coach (Hubert) Davis, you know, you know, every week for a while.

Q: What was Kentucky’s most consistent message to you through your recruitment?

Potter: They didn’t have to sell me on much. You know, growing up as a Lexington kid, the Kentucky jersey is something you dream about. I got told by Reed, Travis, Trent, like, it’s a dream come true once you put on that jersey and walk into Rupp Arena and people are cheering you. That’s kind of what they were selling me on.

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Then, just like the parts of developing. Every player last year. They mentioned the fifth-year guys last year, you know, Amari Williams, kind of the older players that had played a couple years of college basketball. Last year at Kentucky, they had bigger roles and kind of bigger minutes in the SEC, probably the best conference that’s ever been assembled last year, they all had better years last year, kind of as older players. It was just kind of crazy to me. You know, Lamont Butler had his most efficient year last year. Amari Williams came from a lower mid-major and had a better year. So that’s kind of what they sold me on, the developmental piece, and they’ve proven it.

Q: You still have two more years of eligibility. What is your goal for developing in that time? Will you finish your career out at Kentucky?

Potter: Yeah, I got a couple more years. I definitely got time to develop and kind of, you know, mold me into the player they can and they see. That’s the big thing I want to finish out my years at Kentucky. It’s home for me, like I grew up there. No place better to finish out my college career than at home.

Q: Now that you are committed, what part of playing at Kentucky excites you the most?

Potter: I grew up here, so I kind of knew a little bit about it. I knew Big Blue Nation was crazy, but I didn’t realize they were this crazy. This is kind of a surreal moment. It’s kind of like your dreams are coming true. I didn’t realize it last night when I told Coach Pope, now it’s hitting me. Just all the people reaching out, all the fans. It just, it’s kind of wild. It’s surreal.

Q: Mark Pope’s offense really fits big men that can shoot and pass. How do you feel like you can fit into that system?

Potter: It’s a get up a lot of threes, quick pace offense. More of an NBA style offense, which really intrigued me because the NBA’s kind of gone towards big men who can pass and shoot. That’s what they sold me on, and that’s what they do. Back to his (Pope) time at BYU and his other schools, that’s what they did. They had big men who could do multiple things. That’s kind of something I think I can get into and lean into.

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Q: Who do you model your game after or study on film?

Potter: I would like to say (Nikola) Jokic. He’s awesome. The way he’s able to do stuff is just insane. He’s not the most athletic dude out there, but nobody can stop him. That’s kind of who I look at, and try to do similar things he does. You know, obviously, I wish I could do it at the same level he does.

Q: What are your greatest weaknesses?

Potter: Weaknesses, everybody points it out, it’s probably getting bigger and stronger. Being able to rebound in traffic and finishing through traffic. That’s definitely something I’m looking forward to improving next year.

Q: Most underrated part of your game?

Potter: Most underrated, I’d say my passing ability. Being able to make some tight passes for guards and wings cutting and stuff. That’s something I look at, being able to be a little bit more of being able to be a little bit more of a playmaker sometimes out there to help relieve the pressure from the guards that are always just getting hounded all game.

Q: You told me this staff “knows what it takes to win and how to develop players.” You could see that last season. Watching from afar, how impressed were you with Mark Pope’s first season?

Potter: It was extremely impressive. It was a group of people who weren’t the highly, most recruited people. Obviously, they should have been. Some people missed on that. You know, they got it done last year. The way Coach Pope and the staff were able to just gel that team together was very impressive to watch from an outsider. I know that took lots of practices, lots of communication, and then they were able to get it done. They had many top wins last year, just every time you think they would lose, they got it done on the court. So that’s just it’s how Coach Pope does it.

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Q: I’ve talked to multiple players about how different Coach Pope is compared to coaches they’ve had in the past.

Potter: Coach Pope is definitely a different type of coach that I’ve ever had before. Usually, a lot more anger, a lot different type of word choice than he probably uses. That definitely stands out to me the most, just how positive a guy he is. He’s just always trying to make his players feel good because that translates onto the court. He instills confidence in his players, which is really important to me.

Q: You mentioned talking with some friends, former and current Kentucky alums. What did you talk about?

Potter: I talked to a couple of them. So, I’m friends with Malachi, and then I’m friends with Travis and Trent and them. So, I talked to them a little bit throughout the years, just what it meant to them and how fun it was to play in that atmosphere, and how fun it was to put on that jersey. They were able to ‘hook’ me with that stuff.

Q: Are you ready to battle against Malachi?

Potter: We used to go at each other back in high school. So those were fun days. He’s a great athlete. I mean, he’s 7’1″. He blocks everything. So, it’s definitely fun to go against him. He’s a top talent. I mean, they’re considering him a lottery pick. So obviously, it’s going to be fun to go against that type of talent every day with him and then all the rest of the bigs.

Q: Two years into college basketball, what have you learned on and off the court that has made you better as a player coming to Kentucky?

Potter: Consistency. You’ve got to be an everyday guy in college. Whether it’s stretching, doing rehab, getting shots up. I mean, if you don’t — everybody’s a top talent. In high school, you can get away with it, but in college, everybody is trying to work hard to get to the next level and get to their dreams. So just being consistent, working every day, because you have to at this level.

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Q: How was your quiet visit to Kentucky?

Potter: I didn’t really do a visit. I mean, I’m from Lexington, so it was kind of like, I could have shown them around, honestly.

Q: Being around Kentucky and playing at Miami, there are big differences between the programs. Can you talk about that?

Potter: Miami was great. It was a great place, a great mid-major. They compete for MAAC championships every year. I’d probably say that’s probably the biggest difference. At Miami, we were competing for MAAC championships to try to upset teams. At Kentucky, you’re competing for national championships, and you’re the one teams try to upset.

Q: You mentioned being a Kentucky kid, growing up, I assume you were a Kentucky fan. What are some of your favorite Kentucky basketball moments/memories?

Potter: I definitely grew up a Kentucky fan.

I’d probably say the team that won it all with Anthony Davis. That was just how talented that group was. I feel like the whole team got drafted in the first round, so probably that.

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Q: Who is your favorite Kentucky player?

Potter: I feel like I have to say Daniel Orton. I trained with him my whole high school career, so I feel like I have to say him or he’ll get mad. Otherwise, I’d probably have to say his leading man, Demarcus Cousins, just how dominant he was in college. He’ll probably get a laugh out of that, I think.

Q: What are your biggest interests outside of basketball?

Potter: Definitely just hanging out with my teammates and friends. Those are your guys. Those have become some of your best friends. I’m just hanging out with them, watching movies, going to play golf, just stuff like that. Just being around them as much as possible because that’s what builds a team. That’s what influences winning.

Q: You were a talented pitcher in HS. What made you strictly focus on basketball?

Potter: Yeah, it’s actually kind of a funny story. I never played AAU other than when I was very young. I always played basketball in the winter and baseball in the summer. Going into my junior year, I tore my elbow again for the second time, and I had to get surgery again. One of the AAU teams reached out to me, and I had nothing to do. My elbow was torn. I couldn’t go play baseball. So, I was like, ‘I might as well just go play basketball this weekend.’ I ended up playing against a top five-star prospect and had a pretty good game. I got reached out to by Xavier and a couple of other big schools. I was like, oh, well, I might want to keep doing this.

After that, I just kept playing the rest of the summer, still thinking I wanted to play baseball. Then I had quite a few top offers and I was like, ‘Ah, I should probably pursue this.’ That’s when I started taking things really seriously. It took off from there.

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Q: What’s something unique about you that people may not know, on or off the court?

Potter: I have a great driver. I would probably say that. I’m terrible at golf. I’m probably like a plus 12 (handicap) or something. I’m horrible. But I’m a great driver and I’m terrible at everything else. I swing like it’s a baseball bat, and somehow I hit it straight.

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Men's Basketball

Lexington Native Transfer Center Commits to Kentucky: “I have always known what the blue and white means”

After a brief period of silence, Mark Pope stokes the transfer portal flames once more with the commitment of center Reece Potter.

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Reece Potter commits to Kentucky.
Miami Redhawks Athletics

Nobody in the “Bluegrass State” is saying no to a Kentucky kid… especially not if he’s seven-foot-two. Big Blue Nation, meet Reece Potter.

The latest to join Mark Pope’s ever-growing repertoire for the 2025-26 season, Potter is a junior center who spent his first two seasons of collegiate basketball with the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks.

In his sophomore season, the big averaged six points, four boards and one block per game in 17 minutes, shooting a 47/37/60 split. Potter’s sheer size and athletic potential on either end make him an intriguing prospect, especially as he enters a system built for offensively-inclined centers such as himself.

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“They didn’t really have to sell me on anything,” Potter said of Kentucky, to KY Insider, “I have always known what the blue and white means being a Kentucky kid, so it’s kind of hard to say no.”

Although he’s set to join what will potentially be one of the deepest, most varied front court arsenals in the nation, Potter still brings a unique skillset to the team that could emerge to no surprise as the season develops over time. To boot, he takes the title of the tallest player on the roster. You can’t teach 7’2″.

Not including the potential return of Otega Oweh, Potter slots in as the 12th of 15 potential scholarship players on Kentucky’s incoming roster. His being a native to the Commonwealth in tandem with the especial ability he brings to the table is likely to make him a fan-favorite from day one.

You’re a Wildcat, Mr. Potter. Welcome (back) to Lexington.

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Former Kentucky Guard Travis Perry Commits to Ole Miss

Kentucky native and fan-favorite guard Travis Perry has committed to Ole Miss following his surprising entry into the transfer portal.

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Travis Perry has committed to Ole Miss.
Chet White | UK Athletics

Travis Perry, a “hometown hero” for Kentucky fans, as well as the only player who remained on the roster during the transition between the John Calipari and Mark Pope tenures, has officially committed to Ole Miss.

Perry’s surprising entry into the transfer portal came just before the final hour of eligibility, throwing his name in the hat right before the door closed. Despite his fairly active role in the Wildcats’ rotation last season, with the influx of guards incoming on next year’s roster, his departure is sensible from a playing time perspective. Though the loss is still an unfortunate one, as the Big Blue Nation loves their Kentucky kids.

Ole Miss was involved in Perry’s recruitment before his initial commitment to Kentucky prior to last season, gracing his “final five” list as a team with a real chance to land the Lyon County guard. It’s apparent that, the second time around, Rebels’ coach Chris Beard wasn’t ready to lose out on him again.

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“Addicted to Basketball”

Just over one month ago, during March Madness, Beard reflected on his first chase for Travis Perry, saying, “I love Travis. He’s one of those guys that’s addicted to basketball.”

“I enjoyed recruiting him, getting a relationship with his family,” Beard continued. “In recruiting, you don’t get so many more guys than you do get… But I was really happy for him that he found a great fit and played a great role as a freshman for Coach Pope’s team.”

Not even one month later, Perry would enter the transfer portal, and now the rest is history. Now, ‘Cats fans can look forward to a rendezvous with their former point guard in Rupp Arena this season, as Perry and the Rebels are set to make the trip to Lexington during conference play.

When it comes to the portal, you win some, you lose some, and you make sacrifices along the way. Perry’s loss is a harrowing reminder of what college basketball has become, as well as the shifting importance of what it means to a player to “stay home.”

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