There’s a new buzz around Kentucky’s summer practices — and it’s not about flashy dunks or trash talk. It’s about one drill. A single, focused sequence that’s quickly becoming a defining piece of Mark Pope’s approach.
At first glance, it looks simple. Controlled. Repetitive, even. But according to players and staff, this one drill is producing massive breakthroughs — especially for younger players.
The goal? Discipline, decision-making, and dominance.
Sources close to the program say Pope has been obsessively drilling live-action decision scenarios — a blend of short-clock offense, help-side rotations, and rapid transition defense. And the results? Wildly impressive.
Players are reacting faster. Executing cleaner. And most of all… one name keeps rising to the top every time this drill starts.
Jayden Quintance.
The 18-year-old freshman has become the poster child for the drill’s effectiveness. While others scramble under pressure, Quintance stays calm — protecting the rim, rotating at NBA speed, and making smart passes out of the post.
“He doesn’t just survive the drill,” one insider said. “He owns it. He’s playing like a guy who’s been here for two years.”
Even returnees like Otega Oweh and Brandon Garrison are taking notice — adjusting their tempo and toughness to keep pace with the freshman’s consistency.
What started as a new wrinkle in Pope’s summer system is quickly turning into a signature weapon. And if the early returns are any sign?
Kentucky’s not just building chemistry… they’re building a monster.
