Mark Pope tabs Lamont Butler as the 'best defensive perimeter player in college basketball'

Lamont Butler had a defensive reputation that preceded him upon his transfer to Kentucky. It’s on display already too with what he has done on the court, especially live in the Wildcats’ first exhibition on Wednesday.

Mark Pope praised the play of Butler during postgame after a 123-52 win over Kentucky Wesleyan. He knows he has never had a player like him on the defensive side of the ball, specifically one in the backcourt.

“You know, he’s a special player,” said Pope. “I’ve never coached a guy like him on the defensive end at the point of attack.”

“He’s incredibly special,” Pope said. “I think he’s – you guys have heard me say it a hundred times. I think he’s the best defensive perimeter player in college basketball. Certainly the best defensive point guard.”

In his debut at UK, Butler had 11 points, six rebounds, six assists, six steals, and two blocks.

That’s a lot of production, albeit in an exhibition, from Butler. Again, though, with his distinction as a defender, Pope will anticipate that from him in every game.

“Yeah, so, I mean, I expect him to have six steals every single night,” Pope smiled. “I’ve never seen – Guys, I’m old. I mean, I’m older than everybody in this room, I think…But I’ve never seen this number. So, Lamont Butler had more steals than our whole team had turnovers tonight. I’ve never seen that actually. That’s really incredible.”

As such, Pope also saw Butler’s effect throughout the game. Kennedy Miles, Wesleyan’s top-returning scorer, posted just 10 on 30% shooting overall with four turnovers after he was matched up with Butler. Then, as the game went on, he noted how the game plan shifted to run the offense away from him.

“Listen, I’m telling you. This Kennedy Miles is a terrific basketball player. Kennedy Miles is a terrific basketball player. He’s a championship team-leading point guard. He’s a terrific basketball player. He didn’t have his best night tonight but Lamont Butler had a lot to do with that,” Pope said. “Like, it gets hard.”

“At some point during the game – and it was the right decision. You know, Drew chose to work a lot of four, five ball screens because it’s kind of like you have this Deion Sanders-corner. You’re like, ‘We’re not throwing that side of the field anymore’. Forget it. We’re just not going over there,” added Pope. “That’s the type of impact that Lamont can have.”

Butler, a former all-conference player and all-league defender, brought that prowess with him to the bluegrass. Kentucky already is lucky to have him too with what he’ll be able to do not just as their point guard but as one of their top defenders.

“I thought he was terrific tonight,” said Pope. “I’m telling you, it’s a gift to have a player like that that you can just lean on as a coach. He’s really special.”