Lamont Butler and Jaxson Robinson lead with NCAA Tournament and Mark Pope experience

Early reports from Kentucky‘s first practices say that Lamont Butler stands out as one of the best players and loudest leaders of the new-look Wildcats. Butler revealed during Tuesday’s interview session on campus that he took some time off to rest a minor toe injury. Still, he has taken on a leadership role since landing in Lexington as UK’s new point guard. Butler admitted it goes against his personality, but he realizes the importance of being a great communicator on the court.

“I’m naturally a quiet guy, reserved,” Butler explained to KSR. “I wouldn’t say shy, but sometimes I just keep my comments to myself. But I’m trying to go out there and be a vocal leader.

“That’s what the guys in the NBA, the great point guards–Magic Johnson, Chris Paul, guys now like Ja Morant, Steph Curry–those are guys that are very vocal, and I want to be there one day, so I know I have to step up in that regard. I’m just trying to grow in that aspect.”

Butler’s time at San Diego State, where he and the Aztecs reached four straight NCAA Tournaments and were the national runner-up in 2023, gives him the credentials to speak from experience and take on a more significant role in the locker room.

“My role is to go out there and be a leader,” he explained. “I have a lot of experience in the tournament, so just to go out there and show them how to win. I feel like that’s my main thing. I go out there everyday in practice and try to be aggressive, spice stuff up on defense, and help guys out so they can see what it is.”

Around him, Butler sees a very talented backcourt and a talented team overall. One player in particular, fellow guard Kerr Kriisa, pushes Butler to be better while Butler brings the best out of Kriisa.

Butler also shared a summer scouting report on the entire team: “We’ve got a great group. The backcourt is amazing. We can shoot the lights out of the ball. I think it’s going to be really tough to beat us. Just seeing it right now, I think it’s forming well. We have a veteran group so we’re learning quick and gelling quick, so we’re just trying to continue to get that team chemistry down. It’s going at a fast pace right now, learning all of the new stuff that Coach Pope is trying to instill in us, but we’ve been playing very well and I’m excited.”

Jaxson Robinson’s experience with Pope

Another helpful voice in Kentucky’s first practices is Jaxson Robinson, the only player on the entire roster who has already played for Mark Pope. Robinson spent two seasons in Pope’s system at BYU, where he led the Cougars in scoring last season, so his experience is invaluable in a locker room of new faces.

Andrew Carr, a graduate transfer from Wake Forest, recently said Robinson does a great job of speaking up in practice because he knows exactly what Pope wants from the players. “It helps us a lot,” said Carr.

Freshman Collin Chandler, who initially committed to Pope at BYU, also sees value in Robinson’s leadership during the transition period, adding, “These are things that are in his nature, so, learning from him has been great. He’s been great in giving all of us tips and helping out when needed.”

Even Butler, who has taken on a leadership role himself, occasionally turns to Robinson for guidance in the installment of Pope’s offense.

“He’s been great,” said Butler. “I’ll go to the side and ask him questions because he’s been in this offense and how Pope runs things, so he’s been great at helping me and the other guys as well. He’s been a good voice for us.”

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