The standard for the future has been set at Kentucky.
Lamont Butler, Koby Brea, Jaxson Robinson and Andrew Carr, all graduate seniors, will be remembered as key components of Wildcats coach Mark Pope’s first upper senior class at Kentucky.
The four experienced players, along with senior Ansley Almonor, helped set the tone for what’s to come as Pope and his staff prepare for their second season at Kentucky.
The Wildcats finished 24-12 and reached the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. Kentucky had gotten past the first round just once in the past five years.
“I think it's really cool we were able to set the culture for Pope's first year,” Butler said. “People have to come in and the bar going to be set high for the next people who come under Pope. It's gonna be fun to watch for sure."
Pope said his elite upperclassmen have “had an incredible impact” building a foundation for future teams to follow.
“They've gone out of their way to have an incredible impact on BBN and the state of Kentucky and the community around them, whether it's been their regular hospital visits or Ronald McDonald House visits, or meeting with fans before or after games, finding other ways to serve, and serving each other,” Pope said. “I think this group was brought together to serve best they can.
“These guys did it in an incredible fashion. We didn't finish the job, which is a real thing. But short of that, you couldn't ask one more thing from these guys in how they serve, the standard they set, and how much of
themselves they have given to this jersey and this community.”
Following the team’s 78-65 loss to Tennessee last Friday night in Indianapolis, Pope said the players stayed up most of the night tor eminence about the season. the Kentucky coach said he had never “seen that on a team before.”
“It was exactly the right kind of last night for those guys. … I think it was a beautiful relationship. That’s what it’s supposed to be,” Pope said. “That’s what’s supposed to be in Kentucky, and our guys understood that. They took it really seriously. They cared, they care, they will always care.”
“It was fun to hear the guys’ comments postgame about refusing to give back their jersey, refusing to take off their shoes. There’s some realness to that, it was a special group.
Pope and his staff have spent the past week assembling a roster for next season, one that is likely to include returnees Otega Oweh, Brandon Garrison, Collin Chandler, Trent Noah and Travis Perry.
After the loss to the Volunteers, Carr offered words of recommendation for veterans who are currently in the transfer portal.
“If you're in the transfer portal and looking for a place to go, go to Kentucky — I'll tell you that much," he said. "Go to Kentucky.”
“For sure,” Butler added.
Kentucky's sideline prior to the start of the Tennessee game in the Midwest Region semifinals in Milwaukee last week. (Photo by Les Nicholson)
