Kentucky is taking a break from summer practice -- where are they headed?

The new-look Kentucky men’s basketball team has spent the last two months practicing as the Mark Pope era gets underway in Lexington. After being hired in April, assembling a staff, and adding 12 fresh faces to the roster, every second of practice has been vitally important for Pope and his group. But some brief time away is also important.

Due to NCAA rules, a break in summer practice sessions is mandatory. Thursday morning was Kentucky’s final practice until the end of this month. Workouts start back up again on Monday, August 26 — the same day the fall semester begins at UK. That leaves two-plus weeks of free time for the players to enjoy.

Where do they plan to go during that sabbatical and who are they most excited to see? Thanks to a short video posted to social on Friday, 11 of the 12 the Wildcats (sorry, no Kerr Kriisa in this video) told us themselves.

Where are the guys going over break??? pic.twitter.com/bOQkUpo05H

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) August 9, 2024

So. G Otega Oweh: “First I’m going back to New Jersey, aka Dirty Jerz. If you know you know… I’m most excited to see my brother. He has a preseason game. I haven’t seen him play in a long time.”

Gr. G Koby Brea: “For break I’m going back home to New York City, gonna spend time with my family, get a lot of love from them and giving them love too. After that I’m gonna be going to the Damian Lillard camp, just keep getting better. Excited for the opportunity. Then we’ll be right back here.”

Sr. F Ansley Almonor: “Three trips. I’m about to go out to Cali for a few days, then I’m going back to New York for a few days, and I’ll be going on a vacation to the Dominican Republic. I’m most excited to see everybody… I’m just excited to see my family and hug them and kiss them and all that.”

Gr. C Amari Williams: “I’m going to Nottingham, England. Back home. Who am I most excited to see? I would say my family, my grandma, my parents.”

Fr. G Collin Chandler: “For the break, I’ll be going back home to Utah. I’m most excited to see my family and just be with them and spend a few weeks with them.”

Fr. G Travis Perry: “For the break I’m going back home, Lyon County, so staying in Kentucky. I’m most excited to see my mom, it’s her birthday today, so Happy Birthday to her, and my oldest sister. She texts me every day so it’s gonna be good to see her again.”

Gr. G Lamont Butler: “Going back home and then I’m taking a four-day trip to Hawaii with my girlfriend. Who am I most excited to see? I most excited to see my family.”

So. C Brandon Garrison: “Where I’m going on break, I’m gonna go home first. Friday I’m gonna leave out for San Juan (Puerto Rico), hit the beach. And then who I’m most excited to see? Probably my family and my mom for real.”

Gr. F Andrew Carr: “I’m going back to Westchester (New York). I’m most excited — sorry mom, I’m probably most excited to see my girlfriend.”

Gr. G Jaxson Robinson: “I’m going home, and I’m most excited to see my parents and my dogs.”

Fr. G Trent Noah: “During the break I’m going to Florida for a few days. And then I’m going home for the rest of the time. I’m most excited to see my golden retriever, Nugget.”

We’ll see you back in Lexington soon, boys.