KSR Today: Kentucky Basketball Pro Day, Media Day Leftovers

On Monday, reporters got to talk to Mark Pope and the Kentucky Basketball team at Media Day. Today, the BBN gets its first look at the 2025-26 Wildcats at Pro Day.

That makes it two days in a row of basketball content during Kentucky Football’s bye week, a much-needed distraction for a weary fanbase. Rumors and unrest continue to swirl around the football program after the demoralizing loss to Georgia. Typically, we hear from Bush Hamdan and members of the offense after practice on Tuesdays, but with the bye, the next scheduled media opportunities are tomorrow, with Mark Stoops making his appearance on the weekly SEC Teleconference and speaking to reporters after practice.

We’ll get to that when we get to it. For now, let’s talk basketball because it’s fun and it’ll be on your televisions (via streaming devices) tonight.

Kentucky Basketball Pro Day

Pro Day became an event under John Calipari and continues under Mark Pope. Representatives from all 30 NBA teams will be at Memorial Coliseum tonight to watch the Cats go through measurements, drills, and some 5-on-5 scrimmaging. If you have SEC Network+, you can also watch starting at 5:30 p.m. ET. Dick Gabriel and Goose Givens will be on the call.

Hopefully, we’ll get some fun interviews with Pope and the team. We already knew it, but Media Day confirmed that this is a very likable bunch. The KSR staff will also be there to cover what you can’t see on the broadcast. If all goes according to plan, Jack Pilgrim and Shawn Smith will also share their thoughts on a new episode of Sources Say afterward.

Catch up on Kentucky Basketball Media Day

Monday was a busy one around these parts. From Mark Pope’s press conference to Kenny Brooks’ update on the women’s team and 30 minutes of interviews with players on the court, there is a LOT to unpack. You can access all of our basketball stories under the “Basketball” tab atop the page, but here’s a list of the posts we’ve churned out so far:

• Media Day LIVE BLOG
• Andrija Jelavic cleared for immediate eligibility by NCAA
• Pope compares Kentucky’s roster, rev-share situation to “Beautiful Ferrari”
• Jayden Quaintance rehab update
• Mo Dioubate plays so hard he (accidentally) sent Braydon Hawthorne to the ER
• Pope on the Pat Kelsey spat
• More full-court press on the way
• Pope on Recruiting: ‘You’d Be Shocked At How Many Times We End Up Mutually Walking Away’
• Now cleared, Andrija Jelavic is finally ‘catching up’ after missing summer
• Kentucky WBB still ‘trying to build chemistry’ with a much deeper squad than a year ago

We’ve got an insane amount of content on the KSR YouTube Channel right now, but if you’re just catching up, start with the Rapid Reaction and work your way down.

Subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel for press conferences, interviews, original shows, fan features, and exclusive content.

Mark Pope loves Mo (and so do we)

Pope raved about all of his players during his 40-minute presser, but you can tell he has a special place in his heart for Mo Dioubate. Pope was asked to describe the incoming transfers to fans in a single word and succeeded — until he got to Dioubate.

“Mo Dioubate, just — Mo is unique, okay? I can’t do one word, because he’s got all these sides. He’s got the motivation side. He’s got the Mo-D for the Kentucky side. He’s got the dog side. He’s got the incredible, humble, faithful, devoted side. He’s got — I can be a little emotional about Mo. He’s got the side where he’s going to protect his teammates at all costs, no matter whatever, whatever, whatever. This Mo Dioubate is special.”

We agree. You can learn all about Mo’s journey from Queens to Tuscaloosa to Lexington in the longform feature I published on him on Sunday night, which is also available on YouTube. Mondays became a little easier thanks to his Mo-Tivational quotes shared on UK’s social media accounts:

Start your week off right with a quote from @MoDioubate. pic.twitter.com/QT0T0WAx0S

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) October 7, 2025

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A post shared by Kentucky Sports Radio (@ksr_ig)

Media Day Photo Gallery

Details announced for BBN United Fan Fest

On Monday, Mark Pope also shared some details for the BBN United Fan Fest that will take place before Big Blue Madness on Saturday. The event will be held from Noon to 4:30 PM ET in the Central Bank Center Exhibition Halls outside Rupp Arena. The National Championship trophies will be on display, along with inflatables, face-painting, a live DJ, and much, much more.

Main Stage Appearances

• 12:30–1 p.m. – Coach Mark Pope on stage
• 1:15–1:45 p.m. – Coach Kenny Brooks on stage
• 1:45 p.m. – Women’s Basketball Team introduced
• 2–2:45 p.m. – Women’s Basketball Team Autograph Session
• 2:45 p.m. – Men’s Basketball Team introduced
• 3 –4 p.m. – Men’s Basketball Team Autograph Session

Special visitors from the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP – formerly “Be the Match”) will be on site. Find more information at UKAthletics.com.

Tyran Stokes buzz is building

We’re excited about the current team, but this is also a huge recruiting week, with several players visiting Kentucky, including five-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr., who is currently on campus and was spotted around the facility yesterday. Buzz continues to build around Tyran Stokes, the No. 1 player in the 2026 class, who announced on Sunday he’s down to five schools — Kentucky, Louisville, Oregon, Kansas, and USC — and is shutting down his recruitment. We don’t have a date for his announcement, but rumors swirl that it could come this week, with Kentucky considered to be the frontrunner.

On Tuesday, 247 Sports’ staff played a group Crystal Ball pick for Stokes to Kentucky. Rivals’ Joe Tipton also shared that Kentucky is in a great spot with Stokes, but Oregon could be making a late push. Cross your fingers and toes that Kentucky can hold Phil Knight and the Ducks off for the sensational small forward, whose birthday is Sunday. Wouldn’t it be great to see him celebrate in Kentucky Blue?

In other recruiting news, four-star center Ethan Taylor canceled his visit to Kentucky that was scheduled for this weekend, telling Jacob Polacheck that he’s no longer considering the Cats. That leaves four-star center Josh Irving and five-star shooting guard Jordan Smith Jr. as this weekend’s official visitors, with a slew of unofficial visitors expected as well. Rippey Jr. won’t be among them, but seems to be enjoying his time on campus, posing with fellow Blair Academy alum Otega Oweh:

What is LeBron James announcing?

Speaking of announcements, is King James retiring? Moving teams? We’ll find out today at noon.

The decision of all decisions. October 7th. 12pm EST. 🫡👑 #TheSecondDecision pic.twitter.com/1uop8sIU25

— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 6, 2025

The Chad Powers TV show is kind of awesome

I’ll finish my time with you this morning with a TV recommendation. Like most sports and pop culture fans, I was familiar with Eli Manning’s skit about Chad Powers, a former football star who disguises himself as a younger player in hopes of getting a second chance. I was skeptical it could be stretched into a TV show, but last night, my husband and I gave it a chance when we saw it on Hulu.

I’m pleased to report that it’s way funnier than I thought it’d be. Glen Powell is perfect as the arrogant Russ Holliday, who transforms himself into Powers to audition for a walk-on spot at South Georgia University. As a bonus, Steve Zahn, celebrity UK fan/friend of KSR, is also in the cast, playing Powers’ coach. Give it a shot if you’re in the mood for a laugh. But not tonight. That’s reserved for UK Pro Day.