On Friday afternoon, a preliminary injunction granted by a U.S. District Court judge in Colorado gave athletes from the 2022 high school class a fifth season of eligibility, potentially creating another transfer portal opportunity late into the offseason.

This is something the Kentucky basketball staff has been monitoring through the offseason, potentially using it as an avenue to add the 15th and final player to the roster. One name that the staff has communicated with is fifth-year Auburn transfer Keyshawn Hall. According to a source, Kentucky conducted a Zoom call with Hall on Monday.

Hall is a well-traveled athlete, playing for four schools in four seasons. Starting his career at UNLV, he has since played for George Mason, UCF, and Auburn last season.

While at Auburn, Hall averaged 19.3 PPG and 7.1 RPG on 45/38/86 shooting clips, with a 60.6 true shooting percentage. The 6-7 wing could bring versatility and shot creation at the four spot, potentially playing the three in big lineups. However, there are some concerns. On the court, Hall struggles with defensive consistency. Off the court, Hall was suspended for a game last season, with Auburn coach Steven Pearl citing that he “did not live up to the standards of our program this week.”

Mark Pope said that the last piece of the roster would be one that fit. Hall is certainly talented, and if Pope and Co. are pursuing him, they are confident that he is a good fit and that they can handle the concerns.

It is worth noting that the NCAA filed an emergency motion in hopes that a federal judge will stay a nationwide injunction, stating that in the injuction is sustained it would destabilize program rosters and impair the NCAA’s ability to self-governwould destabilize rosters and impair the NCAA’s ability to self-govern.

The speed at which the appeal will be reviewed will be seen, but as it stands, Hall is eligible for another season of college basketball, and Kentucky is interested.

Also published on A Sea of Blue.

It’s not every day that a team affiliated with Kentucky is playing for a national championship. Well, maybe at one point in time there was, but that’s not from my generation. Nonetheless, La Familia’s run to the 2026 TBT Championship was something special.

Unfortunately, the Kentucky alumni were defeated on Sunday, Aug. 2 by Davis Steel, losing by a score of 67-59 inside of Historic Memorial Coliseum.

HMC was packed to the very last seat, causing a nightmare parking situation, but also a deafening environment to play in for the Las Vegas bracket winners. The Big Blue Nation showed out, because they knew the importance of this game.

Sure, $2 million was on the line and a nice, big trophy as well, but it was more than that. Davis Steel was formerly known as Eberlein Drive, which was not only Archie Goodwin’s former team but the team that eliminated the Wildcats from the tournament in 2025.

Matter of fact, coming into this matchup, they were the only team to ever defeat La Familia on their home court.

KY Insider had boots on ground and was ready for the championship matchup, which started rather slow for a team that had just won three straight games.

Whether there was lid on the basket or not, nothing could fall for La Familia. They shot an abysmal clip from the field in the first quarter, only making four out of 18 shots. Goodwin was the only starter to score, resulting in an early eight-point deficit for Kentucky.

Trailing 17-9, the start of the second quarter wasn’t much to brag about either. Davis Steel went on a quick 7-1 run to go up 24-10, but a fading Sean McNeil three and some defensive stops would get the crowd back into the game.

La Familia ended the half on a 16-8 run, giving hope to the fans (and media) in attendance.

The second half doesn’t have much of a story to it. Kentucky had its chances to go on a huge run, but couldn’t muster any string of possessions to throw off Davis Steel. “Refs you suck” chants rang throughout Lexington, and although they weren’t wrong, the alumni shot themselves in the foot more than once during the final half.

They couldn’t get offensive rebounds, the shots weren’t falling in any form and Davis Steel just had the edge in terms of bounce and conditioning.

We can certainly get technical, and playing the “what if” game is never fun, but what if Kentucky didn’t miss 14 free throws as a team? I think any basketball fan would agree that this game would’ve gone a little differently.

This is one you sigh about. Making it this far just to lose the big dance is frustrating, but there is optimism in the air. La Familia is only three years young, and they’ve beat the odds time and time again.

With football season around the corner, we say goodbye to the Kentucky alumni for now, but there’s so much to wonder about. Will Willie Cauley-Stein and Andrew Harrison hang it up? Will Sean Hood return as the team’s head coach? Who will Twanny Beckham ring up for next year?

So many questions will be asked between this summer and the next, but time will tell if La Familia can use this loss as fuel to the fire for next year’s run.

Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins are expected to be Kentucky’s starting backcourt, but backing them up is senior guard Jerone Morton.

Morton grew up in Winchester, less than an hour from Lexington, dreaming of one day being a Kentucky Wildcat. In fact, before he even started playing basketball, he says there was a Kentucky basketball in his living room. So when the Wildcat staff came calling after he entered the transfer portal, it was an easy decision.

“Coming in here and being able to put on the jersey and practice every day is just a blessing,” Morton said on Thursday’s media availability. “Playing for my dream school, it’s just a blessing.”

Growing up as part of Big Blue Nation, Morton is well-versed in the program’s storied history and high expectations that come along with playing in Lexington.

“When you put a Kentucky jersey on, it’s just another level of expectations,” Morton said. “Playing for BBN is just different.”

Playing in 92 career games, including 51 career starts, the most of any guard on the roster, Morton brings experience and a veteran approach to Kentucky’s backcourt. With experience comes confidence, which Morton has no shortage of.

“I always have confidence in myself no matter what I’m doing,” Morton said. “I don’t care who it is; they have to put their shoes on just like I put my shoes on.”

With so many offensive creators and in pursuit of more playing time, Morton expressed his willingness to make an impact of defense and be a steady presence on offense.

“I don’t really try to force anything, but defense is definitely one of my calling cards,” Morton said. “I can make shots — I really can do everything I feel like, but defense is definitely one of my strong suits.”

Living his dream, Morton is appreciative of the opportunity to play for Kentucky and make an impact for the program he grew up cheering for.

“I think about it every day. That I’m playing at Kentucky. I thank God so much for this position.”

Also published on A Sea of Blue.