Men's Basketball

Kentucky’s Homegrown Talents Travis Perry, Trent Noah Giving “10,000 Percent Work Ethic Every Day”

Published

10 months ago

September 5, 2024

Tristan Pharis

Kentucky natives Travis Perry and Trent Noah are impressing their coaches and teammates with their work ethic, "giving 10,000 percent work ethic every day."

Chet White | UK Athletics

“These young men that grow up in Kentucky, they bring a spirit to the tram that cannot be fabricated or replaced.”

That is what Mark Pope said at his introductory press conference, back in April, talking about the importance of having in-state talent on the roster. As he said that, his eyes were directed at 2024 Mr. Kentucky Basketball Travis Perry, who was in attendance. Fast forward to today, not only is Travis Perry on the Wildcat roster, but also Harlan County’s Trent Noah, a three-star prospect who decommitted from South Carolina and committed to Kentucky this summer.

Through thirty-two (limited) summer practices, the coaching staff has gotten a good look at this team, specifically the in-state talents. What has stood out the most? Their work ethic.

“Both of them are great young men. That probably sounds cliche but they work,” Kentucky assistant coach Jason Hart said on the Sources Say podcast last week. “They work, they work, they work. They work good days, bad days. They have a mindset to try and get better and they have to live up to the great Kentucky local players. The Reed Sheppards, and the guys that came in before them. They understand that and that’s why they’re coming in with 10,000 percent work ethic every day.“

Through summer practices, one of the main talking points has been Perry’s shooting ability, which his teammates and coaches have raved about. He has even confirmed reports that he shot 100-100 on free throws and made 59 straight three-pointers in a drill this summer.

“(Perry) had a great summer in shooting. His skill development. He shot the ball extremely well,” Hart said. With any player with an impressive offseason, the key will be to carry it over to the season. “We’re just ready for that to carry over. Like every freshman, it’s a learning curve. You’ve got to learn and with that comes some patience and stuff but he’s doing really well.”

Veteran transfer guard Kerr Krissa, who has played with Arizona, West Virginia, and internationally, told the media that Perry is one of the best shooters he’s played with. “I’ve had some pretty good shooters around me, but he’s definitely up there,” Kerr said.

Why does he think that is? Again, it’s because Perry is putting in the work. “He works hard, man. He really does.”

While Perry has been receiving the headlines, Noah has been working hard in practice too. “He has been really, really great,” Dayton transfer Koby Brea said. With so many veterans on the roster, Noah’s playing time will likely be limited, but he understands that and knows he is taking the tougher route to play for his home school.

“We’re at the University of Kentucky. Pressure is a privilege,” Noah said. “It’s amazing to be here, super grateful to be here. That’s why we don’t take it for granted. We come in every day and work and it really is an honor to put on the jersey.”

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

1 hour 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)

Men's Basketball

Former Kentucky Star, 10-year NBA Veteran Eric Bledsoe Arrested and Charged with Felony Domestic Violence

Published

6 hours ago

June 19, 2025

Tristan Pharis

Former Kentucky guard Eric Bledsoe has been arrested and charged with felony domestic violence.

Scott Utterback | Courier Journal

Eric Bledsoe, a key part of the 2009-10 Kentucky team that reinvigorated the Big Blue Nation following the Billy Gillispie era, was arrested on Wednesday morning.

According to reports, the California Highway Patrol investigated a report of domestic violence. The investigators were led to a gas station on a Los Angeles-area freeway where they discovered Bledsoe with a woman who was suffering from “bruising and swelling” to her face, and who said that Bledsoe allegedly hit her. Bledsoe was booked on a felony domestic violence charge and held on $55,000 bail.

Bledsoe was previously arrested on a similar charge back in 2022, but that case was later dropped when prosecutors said the alleged victim gave “inconsistent statements about whether there was a physical altercation.”

Bledsoe was part of Kentucky’s La Familia team last year in the TBT, and was announced to return again this season.

Men's Basketball

Zach Tow Returns For Second Season As Kentucky Walk-On

Madisonville native Zach Tow reappears in team photos as UK begins summer workouts

Published

22 hours ago

June 18, 2025

Ali Cetinok

Elliott Hess | UK Athletics

Zach Tow, a walk-on from last season’s team, appeared to have his status for this year confirmed after being spotted in UK Athletics’ photos from the first day of summer workouts.

The clock has started 🕰️ pic.twitter.com/Mx2UlixakY— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) June 17, 2025

The Madisonville native (No. 20 in blue pictured above) returns to the program for his second season under head coach Mark Pope, having joined the Wildcats following on-campus tryouts last year. The 6-foot-5 senior was an All-District and All-Region selection at Madisonville North Hopkins, where he averaged 12.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game as a senior during the 2021-22 season. As a junior, he averaged 11 points and 11 rebounds. He helped lead the team to the Sweet 16 in 2019.

Tow saw playing time in a blowout win during the regular-season home finale against LSU and again in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against Troy–Pope’s first NCAA Tournament win as a head coach.

He is the second walk-on from last season’s roster to return, following Walker Horn. Both Horn and Grant Darbyshire entered the transfer portal after the season; Horn would go on to decide to come back, while Darbyshire transferred to his hometown team of Cincinnati.