by LARRY VAUGHT
“BBN gave us the greatest kickoff gift ever, and then these players gave us the greatest bounce this year. It’s been the easiest conversations ever right now, recruiting in the portal,” Pope told Davis. “It’s been two pronged. One, for our freshmen that are coming in, it’s been the greatest confirmation of their decision to come because they got to witness it over the course of the season, right?
“Then for the guys that we were recruiting, that we have already signed in the portal, and the guys that we’re still recruiting, it’s the easiest sell in the world. When you have your guys after a devastating loss in the Sweet 16 at the postgame press conference going out on their own saying, ‘All you transfer portal guys, you don’t understand. If you’re trying to choose a school, this is the place to go.’”
Pope was glad his players “didn’t miss the experience of being a Kentucky basketball player” even though most of last year’s team only had one year of eligibility remaining when they arrived. He was proud that his team performed almost 400 hours of community service.
“It meant something to them to represent Kentucky,” the coach said.
Pope still believes the overflow crowd in Rupp Arena for his introductory press conference had a lasting impact on his player.
“Guys understood this would be the most incredible experience of their sports career and they understood it was way bigger than just themselves,” Pope told Davis. “Wearing Kentucky across the chest means something different than any other name in college basketball.”
