Kentucky basketball team's shoe bag allegedly stolen off team bus

Kentucky‘s shoe bag was stolen off the team’s bus during the night before Wednesday’s GLOBL Jam opener versus Team Germany, Wildcats radio broadcaster Tom Leach said Wednesday during the game.

The backup shoe bag was not in the bus, and the team is wearing shoes from that bag for the game.

The game is the first of four Kentucky will be playing in Toronto this week at GLOBL Jam. They also play Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

On radio Tom Leach said the UK team “Shoe Bag” was stolen last night, taking all the game shoes

Apparently they also have a backup shoe bag (which seems like good planning) and is what they are using

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) July 12, 2023

The team was up 39-36 at the half.

“Like us to make a couple more threes,” Calipari said on the Sportsnet broadcast, accessing the first-half performance for the Wildcats. “But the kids are fighting and playing. You have 10 practices. They’re all new. I’m really proud of how they’re find each other. We’re trying to get a group out there that plays together.”

Despite its shoe bag getting stolen, Kentucky won its first game of GLOBL Jam

Kentucky went on to win the game, 81-73, to open its GLOBL Jam experience with a win. Antonio Reeves had a game-high 24 points on 8-for-15 shooting in the win, while West Virginia transfer forward Tre Mitchell had 20 points of his own.

“Made some shots in the second half,” head coach John Calipari said on the Sportsnet broadcast after the win. “Tre came out and made those threes, now you’re playing a nine- point lead and their shots become a little tougher. I think making some shots. I thought Antonio was fabulous. He went on an unbelievable run, and the dude rebounded, like was nutty rebounding the ball,. But it was a good team win. For a team that has practiced 10 times, and don’t know (each other), I’m happy.”

The team plays against Canada tomorrow and Calipari said he believes former Kentucky guard and current NBA All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be in attendance.

“We’re on their court,” Calipari said. “We got a great group of fans here too, but it’s gonna be an overwhelmingly Canadian night. I think Shai is coming home and I bet you he roots for Canada, which will make me mad. I don’t know if Jamal Murray’s dad, I think Roger may come. He’ll probably root for Canada. What are you gonna do?”

Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 14.4 points and 5.1 assists per game during his lone season with Kentucky during the 2017-18 season.