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Recap And Takeaways From Kentucky’s Loss To Kansas In Champions Classic

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The Kentucky Wildcats fall to the No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks in the Champions Classic.
Tristan Pharis/KY Insider

Kentucky got their first big test on Tuesday night, facing the No. 1 team in the country, Kansas. Kentucky showed a lot of fight and impressed by playing a close game until the final seconds, falling 89-84 in a high scoring game. Kentucky was up by as much as 14, but Kansas went on a run, and stuck around from then on.

Kentucky had four players in double-figures: Antonio Reeves (24 points), Rob Dillingham (18) points), Adou Thiero (16 points), and Reed Sheppard (13 points). Outside of those four, the contributions didn’t jump off the stat sheet. DJ Wagner and Justin Edwards had a rough night, struggling to get into rhythm.

Let’s dive in to the takeaways after the close loss. There is a lot of positive takeaways, though.

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Adou Thiero Helps Fill Front Court Void

With Kentucky’s three bigs currently out, Tre Mitchell needed his teammates to step up and help him out down low. Adou Thiero was up for that challenge, the ultimate glue guy. He finished with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 1 assist.

His double-double on Tuesday night made him the first Kentucky player this season to have a double-double, while also notching a career-high in points and rebounds.

Solid Bench Contribution Again

One player who was one of the best on the floor for Kentucky on Tuesday night, Rob Dillingham showed what he’s made of on a big stage. Making big plays after big plays, he was on fire during the first half, scoring 16 points in the half.

Dillingham only played 6 minutes in the second half, leading many to question the decision to limit him in the half. Nonetheless, he finished with 18 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists, fouling out in the final few minutes of the game.

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Another player who had a solid game off the bench was once again Reed Sheppard, who is emerging as an instant impact player. He can come in and give you energy on defense and give you a spark when needed, but tonight he provided much needed buckets on offense too. Sheppard finished with 13 points and 1 assist.

Justin Edwards And DJ Wagner Struggle

Despite other players having solid nights, DJ Wagner and Justin Edwards could not find their rhythm. Wagner finished with 4 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist, while going 1-12 from the field. Edwards had 1 point, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists, shooting 0-6 from the field.

Both had very rough nights, but their teammates stepped up and took Kansas to the wire, and as a pair of Kentucky’s top freshman, their performances are not worrisome.

There is a lot to like about this Kentucky team after a great performance against the best team in the country, but they just weren’t able to finish the game strong.

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Kentucky returns to action at Rupp Arena on Friday night against Stonehill.

Box Score

Men's Basketball

Jaxson Robinson Still Pursuing NBA Opportunity After Going Undrafted

A late-season wrist injury derailed Robinson’s draft hopes, but the former Kentucky guard could still carve out a professional path.

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Chet White | UK Athletics

Injuries suck.

Nearly three days after the conclusion of the 2025 NBA Draft, former Kentucky Wildcat Jaxson Robinson remains an undrafted free agent.

Robinson followed Mark Pope from BYU to Kentucky, but his 2024-25 season ended prematurely after he sustained a wrist injury that ultimately required surgery in early March.

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The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for both Robinson and the Wildcats. In 24 games, he averaged 13.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 28.1 minutes per game. He shot 46.2% from the field and 45.7% from 3-point range in SEC play.

Simply put, he was hooping.

Big Blue Nation will always wonder “what if” when it comes to Robinson’s health entering the NCAA Tournament — and what Kentucky missed in his absence. The same goes for Robinson. What if he had been able to play a key role in a deep March run? What would that have done for his draft stock? Could he have become a star?

We’ll never know. But one thing is certain: injuries suck.

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Whoever decides to take a chance on Robinson will be getting a high-level shooter with a 7-foot wingspan and solid athleticism. He first earned attention from NBA scouts as the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year at BYU. That season, he also received honorable mention All-Big 12 honors, averaging 14.2 points per game off the bench and helping BYU reach the NCAA Tournament.

Before transferring to BYU in 2022, Robinson began his college career at Texas A&M, where he played in 14 games as a true freshman and averaged 2.6 points. He then transferred to Arkansas, appearing in 16 games with four starts and averaging 3.4 points per game.

Despite his experience and talent, the veteran guard remains on the market. He won’t be joining Koby Brea and Amari Williams as Kentucky’s selections in the 2025 NBA Draft, but he could still find his place in the league, possibly joining fellow undrafted teammates Lamont Butler (Atlanta Hawks) and Andrew Carr (Portland Trail Blazers), who have already signed deals.

Had it not been for his late-season wrist injury, it’s likely Robinson would have heard his name called on draft night.

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But life works in mysterious ways. And who knows — maybe this is a blessing in disguise for the beginning of Robinson’s professional career.

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Men's Basketball

Amari Williams Selected No. 46 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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Koby Brea Selected No. 41 by the Phoenix Suns 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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