“He’s kind of woven his DNA into everything basketball.”
Mark Pope said it with reverence, talking about John Wooden, the Wizard of Westwood, on what would have been his birthday at SEC Tip-Off Tuesday. It was less a quote and more a confession from a coach who still sees basketball as something sacred. It is something more than just 10 men out on the court throwing a ball around and trying to put it in a hoop.
Patience, growth, and the gold standard
Wooden’s teachings, patience, discipline, selflessness, remain the gold standard for college coaches. And Pope, a student of both the game and its history, knows it.
Here are some of the great quotes from John Wooden:
- “Make each day your masterpiece.”
- “Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”
- “Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who’ll argue with you.”
- “Young people need models, not critics.”
It was more than a game to Wooden, and it is the same way with Mark Pope.
Building a player first
Pope doesn’t try to mimic Wooden’s exact approach. But his focus on player relationships, personal growth, and consistency are deeply rooted in that lineage. Kentucky’s practices often involve mental framing, not just sets and schemes. His players hear lessons about accountability and resilience as often as they hear about spacing and movement.
Wooden would’ve loved that.
Leadership never goes out of style
It’s that philosophy that separates Pope from many of his peers. In a time when NIL deals and transfer deadlines dominate headlines, he still talks about teaching. About what it means to represent Kentucky beyond the game.
For a coach in one of the most pressure-packed jobs in college basketball, that kind of perspective matters. It’s the through-line from Wooden’s pyramid to Pope’s clipboard; a belief that leadership, humility, and craftsmanship never go out of style.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion