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Men's Basketball

Antonio Reeves Joins the Record Books and More Things to Know Following Kentucky’s Win vs. Howard

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UK Athletics

On Monday night, the Kentucky Wildcats kicked off their season against the Howard Bison.

For the first game of the season you would hope to be full strength, but that simply was not the case as the Wildcats entered Monday’s contest with just eight scholarship players available. Yet, that did not hold them back.

To start the game, Kentucky got off to a slow start, scoring just six points through the first five minutes. With the help of Cason Wallace who scored six quick points, the offense finally started to gain its rhythm and by the end of the half, it was all systems go with a 50-26 lead.

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The second half was more of the same, as the Wildcats never looked back. CJ Fredrick and Antonio Reeves continued to amount more points, with Reeves making a debut record SIX threes, doubling the previous record of three.

The Wildcats ultimately won by a score of 95-63.

Let’s take a close look at Kentucky’s performance and try not to overreact after one impressive game (i.e. Morehead State in 2020).

Cason Wallace is this team’s most talented player

Coming to Kentucky as the Wildcat’s highest-ranked freshman, there are going to be high expectations. As a freshman in his first college regular season game (note: on his birthday), Cason Wallace delivered.

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With Sahvir Wheeler out with a knee injury, Wallace received point guard duties and he started the game hot. Scoring 6 quick points in the opening minutes, Wallace ignited a slow Kentucky offense at the start.

Wallace also made his impact on the defensive end with 2 steals and 8 rebounds, showing that he can make an impact on both ends.

At the end of the night, Wallace was +32 in the plus/minus column and had a near triple-double with 15 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds. While he didn’t quite get the triple-double he is confident that “the opportunity will present itself” as he said in the press conference.

Ugonna get your shot blocked

In the offseason, most expected Ugonna Onyenso – a reclassified (2023) freshman – not to contribute and it was unsure if he would even play, but due to depth concerns he is getting the opportunity and he is contributing.

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Fans got to see some glimpses in limited action in both of Kentucky’s preseason exhibition games, but that was against Division II competition. Would it carry over?

Simply put, YES.

While still playing against lesser competition, Howard was the biggest team that Onyenso has played in his short time at Kentucky and he may have delivered his most impressive performance yet.

Coming in at the 15-minute mark, Onyenso immediately got his first block on his first defensive possession of the night. Onyenso didn’t let up, giving Howard fits all night at the rim finishing with 4 blocks.

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Onyenso also put a cherry on top with his offense, scoring 6 on 3-4 shooting, including a mid-range jumper.

When Tshiebwe and Collins return, frontcourt minutes will be scarce and Onyenso is already proving that he can handle it.

Two-Headed Offensive Monster

CJ Fredrick and Antonio Reeves are going to be a problem for a lot of opposing defenses and they showed why tonight.

While they are shooting specialists – hitting a total of eight threes between them – they also showed the ability to score in other ways. Both were able to hit spot-up mid-range jumpers and added in some runners.

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In the first half alone, the pair were Kentucky’s two leading scorers and combined for 24 points, and they finished in the same order with 22 and 20 points respectively.

This goes without saying that Jacob Toppin had his first career double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds and Cason Wallace previously mentioned near triple-double.

In addition to the even distribution of points, the Wildcats had five different players make three and went 11-24 on the game. When Calipari was asked in the post-game, he said that this is a team that will shoot “24-25” threes per game, and could even shoot upwards of 30 if “they are hitting”.

Again, this was just one game but when Kentucky is back to full strength, I would expect the offense to take another step up.

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Kentucky looked good against Howard, who is ranked 239th in the KenPom rankings, but will have a bit tougher contest against Duquesne on Friday, who is ranked 134th in KenPom.

However, the first real test will come against Michigan State in next Tuesday’s Champion’s Classic, and the team should be at full strength.

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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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