Kentucky 5-on-5 Scrimmage Unfolds Dramatically at Rupp Arena

Mark Pope, the head coach of Kentucky Basketball, recently hosted a unique Family Day at Rupp Arena. This special event gave media members and their families a rare behind-the-scenes view of the program just before the Wildcats’ final preseason game against Georgetown.

Kentucky 5-on-5 Scrimmage at Rupp Arena

The Family Day included an afternoon press conference followed by a 90-minute practice session. Media members were invited to bring an immediate family member or their children to the event. During the press conference, only kids and family members were allowed to ask questions, highlighting the emphasis on family connection.

Competitive Scrimmage Highlights

Following the Q&A, attendees were escorted into Rupp Arena to watch a thrilling 5-on-5 scrimmage. Three players—Jayden Quaintance, Jaland Lowe, and Denzel Aberdeen—wore uniforms but did not participate, while Reece Potter also practiced separately. This led to a competitive matchup between ten players, divided into Blue and White teams.

• Blue Team: Collin Chandler, Otega Oweh, Trent Noah, Mo Dioubate, Brandon Garrison
• White Team: Jasper Johnson, Braydon Hawthorne, Kam Williams, Andrija Jelavic, Malachi Moreno

Key Moments in the Scrimmage

The scrimmage began with the Blue Team scoring on their first possession. Collin Chandler assisted with two points from Brandon Garrison after a series of passes. The White Team quickly responded, with Braydon Hawthorne finding Andrija Jelavic for a score, evening the game at 2-2.

As the game progressed, both teams showcased their skills with several back-and-forth plays. Kam Williams made a standout play with a fast-break dunk but was stopped by a foul. Otega Oweh then regained the lead for Blue with a three-pointer.

With less than a minute left, Kam Williams hit another impressive three, pushing White ahead 10-8. However, Mo Dioubate quickly tied the game with a breakaway dunk, followed by a successful free throw after drawing a foul.

Thrilling Overtime Finish

With the score tied, Collin Chandler orchestrated a final play, leading to Brandon Garrison’s dunk to tie the game again at 12-12. This set the stage for an exciting overtime period.

In overtime, Dioubate hit a crucial three-pointer, responding dynamically to shouts from his bench. Despite a missed wide-left attempt from Kam Williams, the scrimmage ended with the Blue Team victorious at 15-12 following Pope’s decision to conclude the session.

Conclusion

The exciting scrimmage provided an insightful preview of the Wildcats’ capabilities leading into the upcoming season. As the atmosphere buzzed with competition, it emphasized Coach Pope’s focus on teamwork and preparation.