Kentucky MBB takes on Natural Bridge to begin preseason team retreat

The Wildcats are back from summer break, but the ball isn’t bouncing at the Joe Craft Center again quite yet. First, they’re traveling around the state learning to become Kentucky‘s Team, just as Mark Pope’s first group did this time last year.

In August 2024, the Cats went to Hazard to build houses for flood victims, participated in a community cookout and got out on the lake with jet skis and tubing, among other activities. What’s in store in August 2025? The preseason team retreat started at Natural Bridge and Red River Gorge on Friday, going hiking, ziplining and checking out the views on the skylift.

“We had some special guests ride the lift today… a few of the University of Kentucky Basketball players!” The Natural Bridge Skylift & Giftshop shared on Facebook. “It’s not every day you get to share the sky with the Cats.”

That photo features Trent Noah, Collin Chandler, Brandon Garrison, Jaland Lowe, Mo Dioubate, Reece Potter, Jasper Johnson, Malachi Moreno and, yes, Andrija Jelavic. Oh, and don’t forget about the birthday boy, Zach Tow!

Some of the players shared their views from the chair lift — Garrison among those overcoming their fear of heights in the journey from top to bottom.

“(I don’t know) how I’m doing this,” he wrote on Instagram, sitting next to Lowe.

“Gotta conquer your fears BG,” Lowe responded.

If that didn’t help BG overcome his fear of heights, the Red River Gorge zipline ride certainly did. He took that journey down like a champ — or his game face was on for the cameras, at least:

Elsewhere, Chandler rode the Skylift with Jelavic — quite the introduction to Kentucky, just a week removed from making it to the United States — while Johnson posted a TikTok of the view (and drop) with Dioubate.

@offical_jas.com cloud 9@Mo DaDon 🖤🇨🇮 ♬ GTA – PHONKA TRUCK & broke.

Among the other sights and sounds from Natural Bridge:

Johnson kept the TikToks going on the hiking trails with his massive walking stick, unleashing his inner Bear Grylls:

@offical_jas.com survival #beargrylls #loraltrailpark #naturalbridge ♬ original sound – Bear Grylls OBE

Have you ever wanted to see Mark Pope on a zipline? Doesn’t matter — you get it anyway, thanks to the UK photo team:

And the rest of the guys taking on the excursion — again, including Jelavic:

There’s plenty more where that comes from throughout the weekend, surely.

Tipping off this year's summer retreat seeing the beauty of our Commonwealth at Natural Bridge State Park. pic.twitter.com/5oe8BdHMbc

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) August 22, 2025

Pope took the players around the state earlier this summer for some community service work in the aftermath of the deadly tornadoes in London, KY — wanting them to hear their stories and show support, leading to a $40,000 check to Southern Kentucky Tornado Relief at the North Laurel satellite camp. That money came directly from the players.

Becoming Kentucky's Team.

Sit down with @collinchand13r and @jalandlowe as they reflect on tornado relief, having giving hearts and getting to know #BBN a little better. pic.twitter.com/YCZilIsn8C

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) July 1, 2025

What community service activities will the Wildcats get into this time around? Maybe they hit the lake again to wind down the weekend? I’d personally enjoy seeing them roasting marshmallows and singing around a campfire (specifically to find out who can survive in a tent out in the woods overnight). Builds character.

Either way, we know they’re well on their way to becoming Kentucky’s Team once again, right before classes start back up on August 25 and workouts transition to official preseason practices in a couple of weeks.

Basketball season is right around the corner, folks.