Mark Pope in red? Now that’s a headline Kentucky fans never thought they’d read.
Known for his strong aversion to the color — so much so that he once handed a kid fresh white socks at camp to avoid looking at red — Pope shocked Big Blue Nation by donning a red polo during team picture day at the USA Basketball U19 National Team Training Camp in Colorado Springs.
But this time, the red wasn’t about rivalry. It was about representing the stars and stripes.
> “Wearing USA across your chest is a rare honor,” Pope told KSR in an exclusive interview. “It’s really special. You’re around the best players in the country — hopefully the world — and you’re representing this country. There’s nothing like it.”
For Pope, it was a full-circle moment. After years of selling top recruits on what it means to wear Kentucky across your chest, he finally got to experience the power of wearing USA. And he wasn’t alone — two of Kentucky’s own, Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno, were right there with him.
Both freshmen — and both Bluegrass natives — were selected to compete at the elite camp, giving Pope a front-row seat (and coaching clipboard) to witness the future of Kentucky basketball in action.
> “It was awesome because it was the first time I’ve been allowed to coach them,” Pope said. “That was the best part. It’s like a sneak peek into what’s going to be. Both those guys — man, what a show they put on. They were both incredible. I mean, like jaw-dropping great.”
Pope was blown away by their poise, energy, and competitiveness — especially when they were going head-to-head with the best young players in the country.
> “I loved getting to see their competitiveness come out, their fearlessness come out, their hearts come out — that’s what happens when you play in elite-level basketball.”
Coaching… and Recruiting?
Make no mistake — this wasn’t just a feel-good week for Pope and his players. With nine of Kentucky’s top 2026 targets in the gym, Pope’s coaching stint doubled as a silent recruiting showcase.
> “You kind of put down the gloves here with specific recruiting,” Pope explained. “But you build relationships. You coach, teach, challenge — that’s what grows trust. That’s what grows a team.”
Multiple uncommitted players walked away from the event buzzing about Pope’s presence, approach, and energy — a quiet win for Kentucky’s recruiting pitch without needing to say a word.
Everyone’s Watching Kentucky
When the camp ended Monday and coaches returned to their respective programs, Pope wasn’t just proud — he was eager. Because while USA Basketball was special, he knows something equally special is waiting for him in Lexington.
> “As great as USA Basketball is, man, and there’s nothing like it, but to think you get to go back to Lexington?” Pope said. “Everybody talks about Kentucky. Everybody thinks about Kentucky. Everybody asks questions about Kentucky.”
> “So the fact that we get to go back home there? Come on.”
