Mark Pope's daughter Layla performed with the Kentucky Dance Team in Her Dad's Jersey

There were a lot of cool moments at Rupp Arena tonight; for Mark Pope, one might stand above the rest.

Layla, Mark Pope’s second youngest daughter, is a student at BYU and a dancer for the Utah Jazz. Tonight, she was in Lexington and performed with the Kentucky Dance Team during a timeout in the first half of the win over Tennessee wearing her dad’s 1996 national championship jersey. After the 75-64 win, Pope said it was another full circle moment in a season that’s stacking them.

“Actually, it’s super sweet to me,” he said of his daughter’s performance. “So, I had three of my four daughters here tonight, which, we don’t get to be together that much. And my other daughter’s out serving the world in El Salvador right now. And I got to have my — it’s really, actually pretty incredible — I got to have my daughter wearing my national championship jersey on our court in this game. And just like, you know, it’s not about me or not about us but in a really personal way that’s a super special moment for me.”

Wearing the lucky No. 41 — with the rest of the dancers also sporting jerseys — Layla crushed it. See it for yourself:

Who’s in the house tonight? Layla Pope with @KentuckyDance !!! ✨😸 pic.twitter.com/LeF3A14xLK

— Kentucky Athletics (@UKAthletics) February 12, 2025

It’s the UK dance team… With special guest, Layla Pope!!!

She’s normally dancing at @utahjazz games but made it to Lexington to rock the #41 jersey tonight #BBN pic.twitter.com/1o4qGfiL2l

— Maggie Davis (@MaggieDavisTV) February 12, 2025

Kentucky is 1-0 in massive games in which Layla Pope performs with the Kentucky Dance Team. Can we fly her in for every big game? Can we interest her in the transfer portal?