Author: successsport360
L-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr., one of the most coveted prospects in the nation, has officially rescheduled his visit to Lexington. According to his father, Rippey will now make the trip on October 6–8, a huge opportunity for Mark Pope and his staff to continue building their case for why Rippey should wear Kentucky blue. Why Rippey Matters for Kentucky At 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, Rippey has already established himself as one of the most dynamic guards in the high school ranks. He is ranked No. 13 overall in the class of 2026 and the second-best point guard nationally by…
If you’re tracking Duke basketball, something’s changed in the practice gym — and insiders are whispering about a dark horse starter nobody expected to see in the opening lineup. The Vibe in the Gym Has Turned Sources close to the program describe recent practices as more intense, more physical, and higher stakes than before. The scrimmages aren’t casual drills — they’re full-speed battles, with every possession contested hard. One staffer put it simply: “It feels like minutes are up for grabs.” That shift isn’t just energy — it’s purpose. Coaches are pushing the roster harder, and a few walk-ons aren’t…
Sometimes it doesn’t take a full highlight reel or even a full scrimmage to get a fanbase buzzing. For Kentucky basketball, it took just one practice clip — and suddenly Big Blue Nation is convinced this team might be special. The Viral Spark The clip, only a few seconds long, showed exactly what fans have been waiting to see under new head coach Mark Pope: intensity, hustle, and chemistry that looks months ahead of schedule. Whether it was a perfectly executed fast break, a no-look dime in traffic, or the type of defensive stop that turns practice into chaos, that…
When Kentucky brought in Denzel Aberdeen, the transfer guard from Florida, most expected him to provide steady depth, energy off the bench, and a reliable presence in practice. What no one saw coming, however, was just how quickly he would make his mark — and now the Wildcats’ summer practices are buzzing with his name at the center of it all. From Role Player to Standout Aberdeen arrived in Lexington without the fanfare of Kentucky’s five-star freshmen or the spotlight that comes with being a returning starter. But early reports out of practice suggest he’s been one of the most…
There’s always a moment in preseason when things change. A player steps up, the energy shifts, and suddenly the conversations in the gym are different. For Kentucky, that moment might have already happened — and it’s created real buzz around a dark horse candidate to earn a starting spot. Early expectations were that guys like Jayden Quaintance, Brandon Garrison, and Otega Oweh (once fully healthy) would headline the lineup. But insiders say practices have revealed another story: players such as Malachi Moreno, Reece Potter, and Kam Williams are making serious noise, to the point where the coaching staff can’t ignore…
When you talk about Kentucky basketball, you expect five-star freshmen to shine — but very few come in as ready, as tough, and as relentless as Jayden Quaintance. At just 18 years old, the five-star phenom is already making waves in Lexington, and according to multiple reports, he’s been one of the most dominant players in practice. Teammates are buzzing, coaches are praising his motor, and insiders are whispering that he could force Mark Pope’s hand when it comes to the starting lineup. Jayden’s Energy Is Changing Practice Mark Pope has spent all offseason preaching intensity and toughness, and Jayden…
Kentucky basketball is known for its stars, but sometimes it’s not talent alone that shapes the rotation — it’s the player willing to outwork everyone else. During Mark Pope’s first Kentucky practice, one Wildcat turned heads not with flash, but with relentless effort. That work ethic could be the deciding factor in who earns a starting role this season. Setting the Tone with Effort From the jump, Mo Dioubate made it clear that no drill was too small. He sprinted through conditioning, fought for every rebound, and brought energy to every defensive possession. While teammates like Jayden Quaintance and Denzel…
“Mark Pope Made Me a Believer” — One National Analyst Says THIS Team Is Built to Win it All College basketball fans, buckle up — because the Wildcats are coming. Just over a year after the departure of legendary coach John Calipari, Kentucky fans were bracing for a rebuild. Instead, under head coach Mark Pope, they’ve become a national title threat — and people are finally starting to notice. In a stunning turn of events, SB Nation’s Ricky O’Donnell just named Kentucky one of only nine teams with a legitimate shot at winning the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, ranking…
Comments (All New) HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: JUL 17 adidas 3SSB Earn Your Stripes Invitational Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Taylen Kinney, a 5-star recruit in the 2026 class, committed to the Kansas Jayhawks on Sunday afternoon. Kinney, who was down to Indiana, Arkansas, Oregon, Louisville, Kentucky, and Kansas, will play for Bill Self in Lawrence in 2026. A native of Newport (KY), Kinney will not play college basketball in his home state. The No. 13-ranked recruit and No.1 overall point guard strongly considered the Wildcats and the Cardinals. He took an official visit to Lexington in June as one of…
Chapter 1: The 7-Foot Dreamer Who Refuses to Be Average Malachi Moreno isn’t just another tall kid from Kentucky — he’s a once-in-a-generation big man who’s ready to redefine what it means to wear blue and white. The former Great Crossing star, named Kentucky’s Mr. Basketball after a dominant senior season, is now facing a whole new world of pressure and potential. The 7-footer dominated high school competition, but college is different — especially when your new teammates are just as tall and a whole lot stronger. “It’s been a learning experience — a humbling one,” Moreno admits after a…