When Tubby Smith talks about elite athletes, it means something. The Hall of Fame coach led Kentucky through some of its most memorable years, coaching future NBA champions, All-Americans, and program legends. But ask him who stood out the most — who was the best pure athlete he ever coached — and he doesn’t hesitate.
“There’s not a better athlete than Rajon Rondo,” Smith told KSR in a recent interview. “Pound for pound — it’s kind of like being a boxer. He could move up a weight class, move down a weight class, and still be the best athlete.”
Now, two decades later, Mark Pope might be chasing his own version of Rondo — a generational in-state talent who could redefine what it means to wear the Kentucky jersey. That player is Tyran Stokes, the No. 1 overall recruit in the country, and his decision could determine the early trajectory of Pope’s era in Lexington.
Rondo: The Original Kentucky Steal
Before he was a two-time NBA champion and four-time All-Star, Rondo was a kid from Louisville who shocked the basketball world by turning down his hometown Cardinals to play for Smith at Kentucky.
“It’s just that we had a need,” Smith recalled. “We needed a point guard — and Rajon had been great at Oak Hill, at Eastern, and in AAU basketball. He had a great reputation for being very smart and very competitive. He proved that here, and he proved it in the NBA.”
Rondo’s decision wasn’t about rivalry — it was about opportunity. And the impact was immediate. He helped lead Kentucky to another Elite Eight appearance, bringing Smith one of his most dynamic floor generals during his tenure in Lexington.
“It was a great recruit,” Smith said. “Very gratifying and very satisfying. He helped us get to the Elite Eight again with that team. What more can I say?”
A Hall of Fame List — and One That Still Starts With Rondo
Smith’s time in Lexington produced a who’s who of Kentucky legends — Tayshaun Prince, Jodie Meeks, Chuck Hayes, Jeff Sheppard, Allen Edwards — but Rondo stands apart.
“I had some great players here,” Smith said. “Tayshaun Prince, who just went into the Hall of Fame, Jodie Meeks, Chuck Hayes — just great athletes. I could go on and on. Every one of them was special. I love all of them. They all meant so much to me, my career, and my family.”
Still, when pressed, Rondo is the one name he puts at the top. The only thing Smith wishes had gone differently? That Rondo — and others like Prince — could’ve won an NCAA championship.
“The one thing I regret is that Rajon didn’t get an NCAA championship and Tayshaun didn’t get one,” Smith said with a laugh. “Those great players deserved one. Maybe if they’d had a better coach, they might’ve had a chance.”
Could Tyran Stokes Be Mark Pope’s Rondo?
Fast forward to 2025, and Pope is chasing his own Louisville-born star in Tyran Stokes — a powerful, athletic forward with the same rare blend of explosiveness and intelligence that once defined Rondo’s game.
If Pope can land him, the ripple effect could be enormous. Just as Rondo validated Smith’s recruiting era, Stokes could anchor Pope’s.
Smith knows better than most — talent like that changes everything. “It was a big win for us,” Smith said of Rondo’s commitment. “And it was worth every ounce of effort.”
Rondo’s Message to Today’s Wildcats
Before the 2025–26 season tipped off, Rondo spoke to the current Kentucky team, reminding them what it means to represent the blue and white.
“I’m from Louisville — right up the street,” he said. “For me to wear this jersey, it was everything. I had a decision to make between Louisville and Kentucky, but playing for Tubby was undeniable.
“I love being here, and I guarantee you guys will appreciate — when you’re my age — what this university means to you and your family. Embrace it. Understand what it means to wear this jersey every night.”
Those words, coming from one of Kentucky’s fiercest competitors, echo louder than ever as Pope fights to land the next local legend.
Because as Tubby Smith can attest — once you find your Rajon Rondo, everything changes.
