IN PHOTOS: New Kentucky HC Mark Pope executes his first coaching practice with Wildcats ahead of 2024 season
The Kentucky Wildcats had their first practice session under new head coach Mark Pope. All 12 Wildcats players, including transfer Amari Williams, who arrived Saturday morning, participated in Monday’s workout.
Kentucky Sports Radio gave Wildcats fans a glimpse of the Pope's first practice through a series of photos posted on its Instagram page.
"Mark Pope has coached his first practice at Kentucky 😻💙 (Also, peep the denim 👀) 📸 @ukathletics," the post read.
Mark Pope’s coaching stint with the Wildcats marks a full-circle moment. He is an English graduate from Kentucky and was part of their 1996 championship team. He began his NBA journey with the Indiana Pacers and played with the Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, and Milwaukee Bucks.
Prior to his return to Kentucky, Pope's head coaching career began with Utah Valley University (2015-19) and BYU Cougars (2019-2024). He spearheaded UVU to three straight postseason appearances and improved the BYU roster significantly each year. Steadily, he became the fastest coach in program history to reach 60 wins and only missed the NCAA Tournament once during his time.
Mark Pope plans to maintain a Kentucky tradition
In the 15 years John Calipari was with the Kentucky Wildcats, the coach produced 49 players who saw the NBA hardwood. This includes players like Anthony Davis, Devin Booker and Jamal Murray. Calipari had a knack for eyeing talent.
Mark Pope says he plans to maintain the University’s tradition of generating NBA-caliber talents. (Start at 5:17)
“This brilliant relationship between Kentucky basketball and the NBA is something that’s been really really long-standing and I think it’s vital and important part. I think actually for us it is a manifestation of success that we have here,” Pope said in a recent interview.
Pope has lost a considerable amount of talent to the NBA in his first season at Kentucky, with Reed Sheppard, Rob Dillingham, and Justin Edwards declaring for the draft. Meanwhile, a number of their top prospects from their original 2024 recruiting class joined John Calipari at Arkansas.
So for this season, Pope has stocked up on transfers like Jaxson Robinson and Brandon Garrison to lead the Wildcats. Perhaps next season will see the start of Pope's ability to recruit NBA-level talent.