LIVE FROM ROCK HILL: Kentucky Coaches Scouting Top Prospects at adidas 3SSB Championships
The road to college basketball greatness often starts long before the bright lights of Rupp Arena and this week, it runs straight through Rock Hill, South Carolina, where the adidas 3SSB “Palmetto Road” Championships have taken over the basketball world. With over 100 of the top high school teams in the nation converging on the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center, scouts and coaches from every major program are in town including the University of Kentucky.
Beginning on Wednesday, July 9, and running through Sunday, July 13, the 3SSB Championships represent one of the summer’s premier AAU events. But as of Thursday morning, the stakes are even higher: the NCAA live evaluation period is officially underway, giving college coaches their first in-person look at many of their top recruiting targets.
Among the dozens of schools represented, few drew as much attention on Thursday morning as Kentucky with head coach Mark Pope and assistant Cody Fueger walking through the building, clipboards in hand, eyes locked on their future.
11:06 AM — Pope and Fueger Courtside for Tay Kinney
The Kentucky staff’s first stop? Court 3, where Tay Kinney, a standout 2025 guard from Wildcat Select, was taking the floor for a high-profile matchup against Lu Dort Elite.
Kinney, a Bluegrass native with deep ties to Kentucky, has been a growing name on the Wildcats’ radar. Described as a gritty, high-IQ guard with a natural feel for the game, Kinney’s rise through the ranks has been impossible to ignore. And on Thursday, he had the full attention of the UK staff as he ran the offense, knocked down perimeter shots, and showed off his defensive instincts.
Coach Pope clad in UK blue sat just a few feet from the sideline, studying every possession with intensity. For a player like Kinney, this was more than just an AAU game it was a live audition for the most storied program in college basketball history.
Just a Court Away: Deron Rippey Jr. on Display
While Pope focused on Kinney, Fueger drifted over to Court 4, where another major Kentucky target, Deron Rippey Jr., was getting ready to showcase his skills. Rippey, a New Jersey native with explosive quickness and a confident scoring touch, has been linked to several high-major programs, but Kentucky’s presence spoke volumes.
The 6-foot-2 combo guard brings a dynamic, modern style of play he can create his own shot, finish through contact, and guard multiple positions. His performance in Rock Hill could help determine how aggressively Kentucky pursues him in the weeks to come.
Fueger, clearly invested, remained close to Rippey’s court for the better part of the first half, even pulling out his phone at one point to record a slick transition finish. That kind of real-time scouting signals real interest and Rippey seemed to feed off it, attacking the rim with even more urgency.
Building the Backcourt of the Future?
While Pope continues to fill out Kentucky’s 2025 class, the message is clear: guards are the priority.
The staff’s presence at both Kinney’s and Rippey’s games within minutes of each other signals a strategic push to lock in versatile backcourt talent. With Pope implementing a faster, more fluid offensive system in Lexington, he’s targeting guards who can create, shoot, and defend and both Kinney and Rippey fit that mold.
And it’s not just about talent it’s about building a core. Pope has emphasized culture, chemistry, and toughness in every interview since taking over, and players like Kinney, who represent the heart of Kentucky basketball, and Rippey, who exudes East Coast grit, could become centerpieces of that vision.
More Names to Watch in Rock Hill
Of course, the 3SSB Championships are just beginning. Over the next few days, other major Kentucky targets are expected to take the floor including:
- Meleek Thomas – A five-star guard with elite scoring instincts
- Kiyan Anthony – The son of NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, a skilled wing with strong Kentucky interest
- Malik Bowman – A high-upside forward with a developing offensive game
Pope and his staff are expected to remain in Rock Hill through the weekend, with more evaluations, conversations, and possibly even offers to come.
Final Thoughts: A Big Week for Big Blue Nation
For Kentucky fans hoping to glimpse the future, this is a week to watch. As the Wildcats reset under Mark Pope’s leadership, these recruiting moments are crucial. The program is shifting into a new era one focused on toughness, skill development, and smart recruiting.
And that journey like so many before might just begin on a hot summer morning in South Carolina, with Pope courtside, a clipboard in his hand, and the next Wildcat star taking center stage.
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