But it wasn’t a freshman. It was Denzel Aberdeen — and he looks like a different player.
It’s only summer. No lights. No fans. No TV cameras. Just an early practice in Lexington. But it didn’t stay “just practice” for long — not once Denzel Aberdeen took the floor.
He’s not new to college basketball. He’s not a freshman. But the way he’s moving? You’d think he hit some kind of offseason cheat code.
The chatter before the summer was all about the freshmen. The size. The athleticism. The hype. But guess who’s silencing all that with just reps?
Denzel. Aberdeen.
“Wait… That’s Aberdeen?”
That’s the vibe right now around the program. He’s leaner. Sharper. More explosive. And most importantly — confident.
During one sequence in practice, Aberdeen blew past a top freshman defender like he wasn’t even there, pulled up for a cold-blooded three, and then turned around and locked up on the other end.
It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t flashy. But it was commanding. Coaches took notice. Teammates followed his energy. The whole tone of practice shifted.
One Insider Put It Like This:
> “He’s not here to ease in. He’s here to win a spot — and he’s playing like it.”
From Role Player… to Rotation Lock?
Last year, Aberdeen was a name you might’ve missed. This year? He might be the glue this team didn’t realize it needed.
Ball security. Tough defense. Veteran poise. And now — an offensive edge that wasn’t there before.
If this is how he’s playing in July… what’s coming in November could change everything.
Don’t sleep on Aberdeen. Don’t blink. Because while everyone’s watching the new faces — he’s becoming the backbone.
