Kentucky basketball is a program built on tradition, history, and excellence. Ahead of the rivalry game against Louisville, Kentucky's media and alumni teams put together the Legends Project. Nathan Schwake, Jake Most, Billy Toombs, and more brought together the program's storied past and its promising present. 15 legendary former Wildcats wrote heartfelt letters to each of the 15 current players, explaining what this game means to them and the program.
Head coach Mark Pope praised the initiative, saying, “They found 15 players, former players, and they had them each write a letter to our 15 current players about what this game means to them, and that probably says it better than I ever could.”
Each letter was written by a Kentucky great to a current Wildcat, providing wisdom, perspective, and insight into what it means to represent Kentucky in one of the fiercest rivalries in college sports. Kentucky leads the all-time series against Louisville, 40–17, and this project reinforced the importance of that dominance.
The letters were personalized, creating a unique bridge between past and present players. Players were assigned mentors who once stood in their shoes, donning the Kentucky blue with pride and grit. Here's a breakdown of who wrote to whom that was shared publicly:
- Deron Feldhaus to Andrew Carr
- Darius Miller to Lamont Butler
- Jim Master to Koby Brea
- Tayshaun Prince to Ansley Almonor
- Dominique Hawkins to Collin Chandler
- Kenny "Sky" Walker to Brandon Garrison
- Travis Ford to Kerr Kriisa
- John Pelphrey to Trent Noah
- Willie Cauley-Stein to Amari Williams
- Tony Delk to Jaxson Robinson
- Patrick Sparks to Travis Perry
- Ramel Bradley to Otega Oweh
Each player read their letter aloud, experiencing firsthand what the Kentucky-Louisville rivalry means to those who came before them. Here is a little tidbit intro:
Ahead of today's game, some legendary alumni wrote letters to Wildcats on this year’s team explaining what the rivalry means.
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 14, 2024
The Kentucky Legends Project: https://t.co/Ujkx1UEul2 pic.twitter.com/NyhyrNQNEC
To hear every letter released, please click here and watch the videos individually.
Projects like this serve as reminders of the weight and honor of every player feels while wearing a Kentucky jersey. It is more than just a game, which you can read about here. For fans and players alike, it highlights how the past continues to inspire the present. You never stop being a member of BBN.