“Too Good to Keep on the Bench?” — Kentucky’s Summer Practices Are Already Creating a ‘Good’ Problem for Mark Pope

Mark Pope wanted competition this summer — and he’s got it. Every position is a battle. Every drill feels like March. And every day, someone new makes a case for a starting role.

That’s the good news.
The bad news? There might be too many guys worthy of one.

Here’s what we’re hearing out of summer practice — and why Pope and his staff might be facing the best kind of dilemma this offseason.

The Returnees: Leadership, Toughness, and a Whole New Motor

Otega Oweh looks like a different player.
After finishing last season strong, he’s stepped into the gym like it’s his team now. Vocal. Relentless. Explosive. Coaches say he’s setting the tone for everyone else — and proving he’s more than just a slasher. He’s shooting with confidence, guarding multiple positions, and demanding to be on the floor.

And Brandon Garrison?
The Oklahoma State transfer is anchoring the paint. He’s not just big — he’s active. Rebounding everything in sight, defending without fouling, and showing some pick-and-pop range that wasn’t fully tapped last year.

The Freshmen: Not Just Holding Their Own… Dominating

They’re young, but you wouldn’t know it.
Jayden Quintance, the 18-year-old phenom, has come in and immediately looked like one of the best players on the floor. Coaches are raving about his defense — switchable, instinctive, and physical — but it’s his offensive motor that’s turning heads. He runs like a wing, finishes like a forward, and isn’t afraid of the moment.

Then there’s Denzel Aberdeen.
Every team needs a floor general, and Aberdeen has taken that challenge personally. He’s controlling tempo, getting guys in the right spots, and creating offense without forcing anything. Multiple teammates have said, “He doesn’t play like a freshman,” and the staff agrees — he’s mature, locked in, and making smart decisions every possession.

Trent Noah, the Kentucky native, continues to impress with his feel. Always in the right place. Always ready to shoot. The word “glue guy” is getting thrown around — but don’t be surprised if he forces his way into the rotation with that high-IQ game.

The Breakout Name: Andrija Jelavic

The surprise of the summer might be Andrija Jelavic.
At 6’8” with a versatile European skillset, Jelavic has quietly become a matchup nightmare. He stretches the floor, makes the extra pass, and competes on the glass. His IQ is off the charts, and teammates love playing alongside him.

One coach called him “a connector” — someone who doesn’t need the ball to change the game.
Now, he’s pushing for a starting role.

The Rotation Headache — Or Dream?

So… what do you do when everyone looks like a starter?

That’s the question Mark Pope has to answer.
He’s got high-motor returnees, multi-skilled transfers, and fearless freshmen — all fighting for minutes. Some insiders are already saying this summer group is deeper than last year’s team, and more balanced too.

The pace is fast. The defense is aggressive. The culture? As competitive as ever.

But the big question remains:
Who starts? And more importantly… who sits?

Predict Your Starting Five

Here’s what the staff might be leaning toward — for now:

PG: Denzel Aberdeen

SG: Otega Oweh

SF: Andrija Jelavic

PF: Jayden Quintance

C: Brandon Garrison

That still leaves key guys like Trent Noah, Lamont Butler, and others coming off the bench.

Too deep? Maybe.
Too talented? Definitely.
Too good to keep on the bench? We’ll find out soon enough.