Kentucky

Remember former Kentucky commit Nolan Hickman?

Published

2 years ago

February 10, 2024

Remember former Kentucky commit Nolan Hickman?

Remember Nolan Hickman? Now a junior at Gonzaga, the 6-foot-2 point guard was once committed to the Kentucky Wildcats. Nearly three years ago, he backed off that decision and ultimately landed in Spokane.

This afternoon, Hickman will finally get the chance to play at Rupp Arena.

In what will be just the third-ever matchup between Kentucky and Gonzaga, and the first in Lexington, Hickman will have the opportunity to perform in front of the Big Blue Nation. He’s pretty darn good too after so-so freshman and sophomore campaigns with the Bulldogs. Kentucky’s scouting report certainly revolves around Hickman’s abilities in the backcourt.

Through 23 games played for Gonzaga (all starts) in 2023-24, Hickman is averaging 13 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 steals in 34.4 minutes per contest. The former four-star high school recruit is shooting 44.6 percent from the floor, 38.1 percent from deep, and 82.9 percent from the free throw line — all career highs. He’s scored in double-digits in all but five games this season.

Playing alongside guard Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga trots out one of the nation’s top backcourt duos.

Hickman has already faced the Wildcats once in his college career. Gonzaga “hosted” Kentucky in Nov. 2022 in the first game of this series, which was sparked by head coaches Mark Few and John Calipari back in April of the same year. The ‘Zags won going away, 88-72, but Hickman didn’t have his best outing. He finished with just four points, two assists, and two turnovers on 1-3 shooting in 28 minutes.

He’ll surely be out for revenge in round two at Rupp Arena. Gonzaga needs this win just as much as Kentucky does.

“I’m not quite sure (how Kentucky fans will react),” Hickman said earlier this week, according to The Spokesman-Review. “Maybe get a few boos when I touch the rock.”

But how exactly did Hickman wind up at Gonzaga after he initially chose Kentucky in August 2020? At the time of his decommitment in May 2021, UK had recently lost a pair of assistants, Tony Barbee and Joel Justus. Hickman’s father, Nolan Hickman Sr., told KSR that the loss of those two played a key role in his son’s eventual change of heart. Plus, Gonzaga is a lot closer to Hickman’s hometown outside of Seattle, WA than it is to Lexington, KY.

It ended up working out for Kentucky though. Calipari wound up bringing in five-star TyTy Washington and transfer point guard Sahvir Wheeler going into the 2021-22 season. And while we all know how that season unfortunately ended, the swap of Hickman for Washington paid off for UK. Washington went off to the NBA after being named Second-Team All-SEC and was replaced by another future draft first-round draft pick, Cason Wallace, for the 2022-23 season.

Even now, with Hickman in year three of college, Kentucky hasn’t exactly missed the Gonzaga floor general. The Wildcats have four incredibly talented guards and multiple projected first-round draft picks handling the rock on the roster this season.

All that being said, don’t be shocked if Hickman comes out with something to prove this afternoon. Tipoff between No. 17 Kentucky and Gonzaga is set for 4:00 p.m. EST on CBS.

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Kentucky

Which Northern Kentucky boys basketball teams can win regional titles?

Published

5 minutes ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Which Northern Kentucky boys basketball teams can win regional titles?

The best week of the boys Kentucky high school basketball season is here, as the regional tournaments begin.

Three boys basketball tournaments with Northern Kentucky teams begin next week as they try to punch their ticket to Rupp Arena. They are all in their traditional homes: The Eighth Region takes place at Henry County, the Ninth Region at Truist Arena and the 10th Region at the Mason County Fieldhouse. Here is a look at those brackets.

Eighth Region (at Henry County)

Wednesday, March 4: Henry County (19-11) vs. South Oldham (20-8), 6:30 p.m.; Simon Kenton (16-10) vs. Spencer County (19-13), 8 p.m.

Thursday, March 5: Walton-Verona (17-15) vs. North Oldham (22-5), 6:30 p.m.; Woodford County (17-7) vs. Gallatin County (11-20), 8 p.m.

Monday, March 9: Semifinals – March 4 winners, 6:30 p.m.; March 5 winners, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10: Final, 7 p.m.

What to watch: Simon Kenton edged Walton-Verona 56-51 for the 32nd District championship. Bray Bilton was the tournament MVP. SK did not play Spencer County this year, and lost to South Oldham in its half of the draw by 20. North Oldham and Woodford County are considered the two favorites, and are both 8-0 in the region as they have not played each other. WV lost to North Oldham by 20 on Feb. 6.

Ninth Region (at NKU’s Truist Arena)

Saturday, March 7: Highlands (25-5) vs. Conner (14-12), 1 p.m.; Covington Catholic (28-2) vs. Dixie Heights (18-12), 2:30 p.m.; Lloyd Memorial (22-4) vs. Holy Cross (21-9), 6:30 p.m.; Ryle (21-8) vs. Newport (21-9), 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 8: Semifinals – Highlands/Conner vs. CovCath/Dixie winners, 6:30 p.m.; Lloyd/Holy Cross vs. Ryle/Newport winners, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10: Final, 7 p.m.

What to watch: CovCath is the overwhelming favorite. Its only losses are to other top Kentucky teams Male and Madison Central. CovCath has not played Lloyd or Newport but has beaten the other five teams in the field by an average of 27 points. The Colonels’ closest win against Ninth Region competition is by 18 (72-54) against its first opponent, Dixie Heights.

Conner beat Highlands 72-58 on Feb. 10. Ryle beat Conner by 12 in the 33rd District final for its first district title since 2014. Ryle beat Newport 45-30 on Dec. 17 but Newport has won seven of nine heading into the regional.

Lloyd is the hottest team in the region besides CovCath, winning 12 straight including a 21-point victory over Dixie in the 34th District final. Lloyd beat Holy Cross by 10, 63-53, on Jan. 6. Lloyd and Newport did not play each other this season, and time will tell if either can challenge CovCath if they get that chance. But barring injuries, it’s hard to imagine anyone other than the Colonels going to Rupp.

10th Region (at Mason County Fieldhouse)

Wednesday, March 4: Scott (15-14) vs. Mason County (7-19), 6 p.m.; Pendleton County (17-12) vs. George Rogers Clark (26-4), 8 p.m.

Thursday, March 5: Montgomery County (17-12) vs. Bracken County (14-15), 6 p.m.; Campbell County (21-9) vs. Nicholas County (20-12), 8 p.m.

Monday, March 9: Semifinals – March 4 winners, 6 p.m.; March 5 winners, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, March 10: Final, 7 p.m.

What to watch: George Rogers Clark is the heavy favorite here. Scott beat the host Royals 64-59 Dec. 18 in Taylor Mill. The hosts have struggled all year but won the 39th District. Scott survived a wild finish in the 37th District semifinals, with Jordan Clemons hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer after a steal to give the Eagles a win over Brossart. Freshman Benjamin Brown has averaged 23 points per game in half a season. Pendleton County won the 38th District behind junior Kamden O’Hara, one of Northern Kentucky’s best shooters (15.4 ppg., 100 3-pointers). They drew the short straw after tourney favorite GRC lost the 40th District final to Montgomery County, 73-66. Campbell County has won four straight, including two dominant wins in the 37th District tournament. The streak started with a 90-89 win over its first-round regional opponent Nicholas County Feb. 13. Sophomore standout Austin Davie put up 50 points against Nicholas. Campbell lost by 12 to potential semifinal opponent Montgomery County Jan. 23.

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Kentucky

Cities Drive Kentucky License Plate fund aims to support disaster relief across the commonwealth

Published

12 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Cities Drive Kentucky License Plate fund aims to support disaster relief across the commonwealth

(LEX 18) — With peak flood season approaching in eastern Kentucky, a new license plate is hitting the road with a mission: helping communities recover when disaster strikes.

The Kentucky League of Cities is launching the Cities Drive Kentucky license plate to raise money for communities affected by natural disasters. The plates are expected to arrive at county clerk’s offices across the state next month.

Kentucky League of Cities CEO J.D. Chaney said the idea grew from watching Kentuckians rally together during past disasters — most notably in 2021, when an EF-4 tornado touched down in western Kentucky as part of a widespread outbreak.

“We saw people from the far east going far west that weren’t even touched,” Chaney said.

Chaney said getting local governments back on their feet quickly is essential to helping residents recover.

“Getting the city up and going to be able to respond to the citizens they serve is absolutely critical for individuals to make recovery,” Chaney said.

The Kentucky League of Cities also aims to serve as a communication hub during disasters, helping local officials manage the flood of offers of support so they can focus on their communities.

“They’ve got [300] or 400 other phone calls they need to be doing, and we help on that other side. So, there’s one point of contact to facilitate those things,” Chaney said.

The need for that kind of support is growing. Research from the organization shows extreme weather caused $22 million in damages in 2025.

Chaney described the license plate program as a safety net for cities across Kentucky.

“It’s an insurance policy, for Kentucky cities to know that they have that backing with other communities that have the resources so they can immediately get back and start serving their constituency,” Chaney said.

“We hope others also see how important that is,” Chaney added.

The Cities Drive Kentucky license plates will be available at county clerk’s offices statewide next month.

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Kentucky

Western Kentucky residents share benefits of backyard chickens (copy)

Published

2 days ago

February 27, 2026

Press Room

Western Kentucky residents share benefits of backyard chickens (copy)

Members of the Kentucky House of Representatives voted to pass House Bill 276 earlier this month, which would allow Kentucky residents to keep up to six backyard chickens on residential properties while setting guidelines for local regulation.

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