A New Era Begins: Kentucky Basketball Opens Summer Practice with Energy, Leadership, and Renewed Purpose

A New Era Begins: Kentucky Basketball Opens Summer Practice with Energy, Leadership, and Renewed Purpose

“It was definitely a good day one.”
With those six simple words, sophomore Trent Noah set the tone for what Kentucky fans hope will be a defining season.

The 2025–26 Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team officially began summer practice on Monday, and with it came the first signs of what’s shaping up to be a more cohesive, confident, and battle-tested group. Even without head coach Mark Pope physically in the gym  he’s still returning from Team USA duties  the spirit of his system was alive and thriving in the practice facility.

The Pope Blueprint: Year Two Starts Differently

Unlike last summer, when Pope was rushing to build a roster from scratch, this time he has structure and returning players  to lean on. The difference is night and day.

“This time last year, only Jaxson Robinson knew how to ‘translate’ Pope’s coaching,” Noah said. “Now, we kinda have four Jaxsons.”

That’s because Trent Noah, Otega Oweh, Brandon Garrison, and Collin Chandler are all back, and each is playing a leadership role in introducing the new faces to Pope’s demanding but empowering system.

From Learning to Leading

The returning players are no longer wide-eyed newcomers. They’re mentors.

“I feel like we’re kinda taking the Jaxson Robinson role, because we know Coach Pope and we know what he expects and his standards and his system,” Noah explained. “The new guys are coming to us and asking how this goes… It should make things a lot smoother.”

There’s a noticeable shift in the vibe. What was once a scattered group figuring out their identity is now a more unified core ready to dominate from day one. With team bonding exercises, offseason training, and early morning skill groups, the chemistry is being built on and off the court.

Collin Chandler’s Second First Impression

Of the four returners, Collin Chandler might be the most intriguing. After a two-year religious mission following high school, Chandler had to find his rhythm midseason last year. But now?

“I know exactly what I’m supposed to be working on,” Chandler said. “I have a lot better vision of what I need to do… I was coming in blind last year. Now I know my environment.”

That sense of clarity is echoed by the team’s structure. Roles are clearer. Expectations are higher. And the foundation feels real.

What About Pope?

While Pope wasn’t at practice, he was still making headlines coaching at the Team USA U19 camp, where two of his own freshmen, Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno, are competing. Johnson made the first roster cut. Moreno bowed out with a minor injury, but not before making a strong impression.

Now, Pope returns to Lexington with one goal in mind: banner No. 9.

And for once, he isn’t walking into chaos. He’s walking into a team that already knows the drill.

The Takeaway for BBN?

This isn’t just another rebuild. This is a reload and the work has already started.

From the leadership of returners to the energy of the newcomers, Kentucky’s 2025–26 campaign is already writing its first chapter. And if Day 1 is any indication, Big Blue Nation might be in for something special.