Kentucky had just endured a tough loss to Tennessee, their season coming to an abrupt and heartbreaking end. But in the postgame press conference, it wasn’t frustration or anger that filled the air—it was gratitude, pride, and raw emotion.
Mark Pope, his voice heavy with emotion, opened the press conference by congratulating Tennessee before turning his attention to the Wildcats' journey.
“It’s hard to talk about basketball right now,” Pope admitted. “Mostly, we’re just sad that this is over.”
Players Reflect on Playing for Pope and Kentucky
When asked about their time under Mark Pope, all three players—Lamont Butler, Koby Brea, and Andrew Carr—spoke with deep appreciation for their coach and their experience at Kentucky.
Lamont Butler: “We came in not knowing each other, no coaching staff, nothing. But we built something really great. Just playing at Kentucky was a dream come true.”
Koby Brea: “The University of Kentucky is in great hands. Coach Pope has helped us grow so much, not just on the court but off of it. It’s going to be really special moving forward.”
Andrew Carr: “I definitely agree with what these guys said. Coach Pope believed in every single one of us, and that means the world. Super proud of the team and everyone. We were able to make history at the Mecca of college basketball.”
The Pain of Taking Off the Jersey One Last Time
When asked how difficult it would be to remove their jerseys for the final time, the players struggled to put their emotions into words.
Andrew Carr: “I don’t want to untie my shoes or take off this jersey. Shoutout to BBN—it’s like nowhere else I’ve ever experienced." He talked about how hard it is right now but how it thankful he was.
Koby Brea: “I don’t know who’s in charge of the jerseys, but they’re going to have a hard time getting mine. Just being able to put it on was special. We were all strangers when we got here, and now we’re a family. BBN has been amazing.”
Lamont Butler: “This is a special place with special people. Even when I first got here, people greeted me with love. I remember people coming up to my dorm for autographs—it was surreal. The bond we created this year was amazing. I’m really grateful that God gave me this opportunity.”
Butler on His Competition with Zakai Zeigler
Despite the tough loss, Butler acknowledged Tennessee’s Zakai Zeigler, who had been a constant presence on both the court and in his ear throughout the game.
“He’s one of the best point guards in the country,” Butler said. “Definitely congrats to him and his team. I feel like I was able to hold my own.”
Mark Pope on What’s Next
Asked about how he plans to continue building Kentucky’s program, Pope was steadfast in his belief that this year’s team set the foundation for the future.
“What these guys did was set an incredible foundation,” Pope said. “They set a higher standard—on the court and off. I’m grateful for that, and that standard will carry us a long way. We’ll be talking about these guys 10 years from now for what they did to establish that.”
Pope on Faith and the Team’s Journey
When questioned about his frequent mention of God’s plan despite some saying God doesn’t care about basketball wins, Pope delivered a heartfelt response.
“Well, this could be a long answer,” Pope said with a slight smile. “I do believe God has a plan for our lives. I believe He brought us all together—not just to win games, but to grow as individuals and build relationships that will last forever. This group was brought together to serve in the best way possible. We didn’t finish the job, but out of that, you couldn’t ask for more.”
Pope on What He Proved to Himself
Asked if this season had taught him anything about himself as the head coach of Kentucky, Pope reflected on what he had learned.
“These guys have been incredible examples,” Pope said. “If the spotlight on you is brighter than the light coming from within you, it will destroy you. These guys have an amazing light coming out of them. At the end of the day, it’s not about them—it’s about something bigger. I’m the same way." Pope talked about how when focusing on something bigger than themselves the doubts went away.
A Message from the Players
As the press conference wrapped up, Butler asked to say one final thing.
“I think it was really cool that we set the schedule for the first year under Coach Pope." He said they set the bar high and it's going to be fun watching the teams that come next.
Before the conference could officially end, Carr jumped in with one final recruiting pitch.
“If you’re in the transfer portal and looking for a place to go—go to Kentucky.” He flexed the jersey one last time.
The Wildcats’ season had ended in disappointment, but if one thing was clear from the press conference, it was this: Kentucky is in good hands, and the future remains bright.