'A special day for Kentucky': Mark Pope 'excited' ahead of 2024 NBA Draft

John Wall, Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker, De'Aaron Fox, Tyrese Maxey, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyler Herro ... and more. That's Kentucky basketball. Numerous players over the last decade(ish) who have come through the program and have gone on to become successul NBA stars is unlike any program around the country. On Wednesday, more players from Kentucky look to add to that list.

Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham are set to be the next first round selections from Kentucky during the 2024 NBA Draft and while Mark Pope didn't have the chance to coach them, he knows how special this day will be for the program.

“It’s an incredibly exciting time for these guys to start a new journey in their life," Pope said on Tuesday. "(It) is a special day for Kentucky. We’re really excited for these guys that wore this jersey and represent this place really well.”

Kentucky has been the blueprint for what a successful program should look like when it comes to preparing players for the NBA. Since 2010, the first draft after John Calipari took over, no school has had more draft picks than Kentucky -- including top-10 and lottery picks, where Sheppard and Dillingham are projected.

“We’re super excited about the draft," Pope said. "We’ve got five guys eligible for this draft and there’s gonna be some more history made with Kentucky basketball in the NBA Draft. We’re super excited for these young men and what they contributed here, what they’re going to do in the future."

In addition to the two first rounders, Kentucky has three other players looking to hear their name called throughout the process. That includes Justin Edwards, Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell.

Kentucky has multiple draft picks in 14 consecutive drafts, which will move up to 15 after Wednesday night.

Despite Calipari setting the framework for what it means to be a pro from Kentucky, Pope knows what it takes to get to the NBA -- he did it himself.

With that experience, his coaching and the Kentucky brand, he looks to continue this trend of UK's success in the NBA moving forward.

"This tradition at Kentucky of having great players come here, hang banners, then go play in the NBA," Pope added. "Is part and parcel of what makes this place special."