Mark Pope just made one of his boldest early-season moves — and it could change the long-term outlook of Kentucky basketball. Two promising freshmen, Reece Potter and Braydon Hawthorne, might not see the court this year, but there’s a bigger plan in play behind Pope’s decision. Let’s break down what’s really happening and why it could pay off in a big way.
The Kentucky Wildcats tipped off their 2025–26 campaign with a convincing 77–51 win over Nicholls on Tuesday night — but two of the program’s young faces, Reece Potter and Braydon Hawthorne, remained on the sideline.
Now, it looks like fans may have to wait a bit longer to see them in action.
During his pre-Valparaiso press conference on Thursday, head coach Mark Pope shed light on the situation, confirming that Potter is officially redshirting this season, while Hawthorne’s status remains under discussion.
> “Reece is committed right now to a redshirt, so we’re expecting to redshirt Reece unless something changes — which always can happen,” Pope explained. “With BH, we’re still trying to feel the waters a little bit. I’ll be cautious about him. I’m not gonna burn it… we’re having conversations regularly now about how we feel about that and what’s best for him, but it’s an ongoing conversation.”
Given Kentucky’s deep rotation and veteran depth, Pope’s decision makes sense. The Wildcats have plenty of experience and talent to work with, allowing the staff to prioritize long-term development for younger players instead of rushing them into limited roles.
If the plan holds, Potter and potentially Hawthorne will spend the year practicing, growing, and preparing to contribute to what should again be a loaded roster in 2026–27.
Kentucky fans got their first glimpse of Pope’s revamped squad Tuesday, and the early signs point to a group that can defend, share the ball, and run opponents off the floor. Still, Pope’s willingness to think long-term shows a coach building more than just for this season — he’s setting a foundation for sustained success.
The Wildcats return to Rupp Arena on Friday night for their matchup against Valparaiso, with tipoff set for 7 PM ET on SECN+.
