Which UK Player Became More Popular After Leaving School?

Tonight, I will be attending the La Familia TBT game at Rupp Arena and it will be a nice trip down memory lane for people who spent their 20’s and 30’s in the John Calipari era. Seeing the Harrison twins, James Young, Eric Bledsoe, and so many other UK stars will be another refreshing moment in a program and fanbase looking to rebound. Looking down the roster, it got me thinking though. Are there guys on this roster, or throughout modern UK history, who actually become MORE popular after their playing days in Lexington were over. Here are three of my thoughts:

1. SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER

Shai only played one season at Kentucky, the 2017-18 season. And he was a bench player for the first half of that season. That team was one of the most forgettable of the John Calipari era and not one that UK fans will ever look on fondly. They struggled throughout the year, lost a very disappointing Sweet 16 game to Kansas State. That was the Jared Vanderbilt team that really soured a lot of fans to the whole John Calipari experience. Point being, even though Shai was probably the 1st or 2nd best player on that team, fans never really bought into that group.

But now, Shai has exploded into a Top 5 NBA player who likely should have been MVP this year. He is a wildly entertaining player on one of the more exciting teams in the league. He’s started becoming more of a marketing figure as well. So I think there has been a rejuvenation from this fanbase on Shai as a highlighted alum. I think there is little doubt that Shai is more popular now than he ever was during that 2017-18 season.

2. LUKASZ OBRZUT

Maybe this is the KSR bias in me but I think Woo is certainly more popular now than he ever was a player. As a player, he was nothing more than a role player with occasional moments of greatness. But during his time at UK I’m not sure anybody ever really got to show off his personality. But in the years following, thanks to his relationship with Matt, Woo has remained around the Lexington program. And he has become a fan favorite now. His carefree happy attitude and honesty have endeared him to the UK fanbase.

3. MARK POPE

Mark Pope was plagued by playing on some of the best team’s in school history. That doesn’t mean he wasn’t popular on those teams. It was more that he was forgotten. But now, after a whirlwind coaching hire and bringing a new energy to the program, Pope has probably never been more popular than he is right now. And just imagine if he actually wins some games. Pope has the chance to make the greatest jump in school history post-playing career. Now it could obviously go the other way too if things don’t go well. But at this moment in time, Pope’s popularity has never been higher.