It’s Not Attitude or Talent… It’s THIS That Instantly Gets You Cut from Kentucky’s Radar
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope isn’t afraid to tell it like it is — especially when it comes to recruiting.
Speaking at a recent basketball camp, Pope gave a candid look into what he values most in a prospect, and more importantly, what will make him pass on even the most athletic player. It’s not about attitude, effort, or statistics. It’s something more fundamental.
> “If a kid has broken mechanics, I won’t touch him,” Pope said.
That might sound harsh, but for Pope, it’s simple math. By the time a player reaches college, they’ve likely taken tens of thousands of shots with the same form. Trying to fix that at this stage, he said, just isn’t realistic.
He made it clear — he’s not talking about players who simply miss shots. If the form is clean and repeatable, that’s what matters. Even if the shots aren’t falling yet, he’s willing to work with them. But if the mechanics are broken? That’s a deal-breaker.
He pointed out one major red flag: when a player shoots and immediately starts running back before the ball hits the rim.
> “They’re subconsciously running away from their shot,” Pope explained.
What he wants to see is discipline — players who follow through, hold their form, and trust their shot. He referenced a clip of Jaylen Wells, praising the way Wells leaves his follow-through up until the ball drops. That kind of body language, Pope believes, reveals confidence and mental toughness.
In today’s game where spacing and shooting define success, Pope isn’t willing to compromise. He’s not recruiting based on raw athleticism or flashy stats — he’s recruiting players who can shoot the right way and think the right way.
So no matter how explosive or productive a prospect is, if their jumper is flawed?
They won’t be wearing Kentucky blue.
