Just over a week ago, Big Blue Nation found out that one of Kentucky WBB’s newest additions, Jordan Obi, was out indefinitely due to injury. While the specific injury wasn’t disclosed, it involves the lower leg, and Obi started rehab recently. Along with Obi, Dominika Paurová also sustained a lower leg injury in the offseason.

Not the start we wanted for the ‘Cats, but luckily, Obi has been paying very close attention to her team’s practices.

“Honestly, it’s been really cool watching everyone come together. Obviously everyone’s new to each other… but just being here and getting to learn,” Obi said on media day.

“I’ve never been injured,” she added. “This is uncharted territory for me. I think it’ll give me the ability to grow in mental fortitude. Obviously seeing the game from a different perspective, like the X’s and O’s part of it. I’ve always been in it, so now watching it is just different. I think I’ll be better for it.”

Obi transferred from Penn this past summer, using her fifth year of eligibility to compete for the ‘Cats. While Obi would be eligible for a medical redshirt, it doesn’t sound like that’s even a possibility in her mind. Obi said her recovery is still “up in the air.” She’s taking it day by day, but she’d love to get back on the court as soon as possible.

“I came here to be coached by Coach Brooks,” Obi said. “Being coached by him is an experience that is unlike… I came from the Ivy League, so it’s just super different.”

“The conditioning part is a notable jump, just the details, the little details. Buy yeah, again getting to play with the best, getting to be coached with the best. Being in the SEC, it’s super cool and not something that I really would’ve expected for my career. I’m super happy to be here.”

Here’s hoping the 2023-24 All-Ivy First Teamer makes it back to the hardwood sooner rather than later.

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Mark Pope has made it very clear that he is going to try and land some of the best players in high school basketball on a year to year basis. He has the Wildcats in great position with some of the top players in the 2025 class so hopefully Kentucky will land some five-star talent.

One player that Kentucky has a chance with is five-star power forward Chris Cenac. The 6’10 power forward just cut his list of schools down to 12, including Kentucky, UConn, LSU, Auburn, Alabama, Baylor, Tennessee, Houston, Louisville, Texas, Arkansas, and Michigan State.

On On3, Cenac is listed as a top-five player in the 2025 class, so it will be a battle of the big dogs to land one of the best players in the class. During the month of July, Coach Pope and his staff made Cenac a priority at some of the camps and showcases.

Cenac is a player who is quickly shooting up the rankings and will likely be a top ten player in the composite rankings when it is all said and done.

The key now for Kentucky’s coaching staff is to get Cenac to Lexington for a visit. If they can get this elite forward in the 2025 class on campus for a visit that is when things will start to get real.

Knowing Cenac is still considering 12 schools, he likely isn’t near a decision, which means Coach Pope and his staff have time to build a relationship with the elite big man.

The new-look Kentucky men’s basketball team has spent the last two months practicing as the Mark Pope era gets underway in Lexington. After being hired in April, assembling a staff, and adding 12 fresh faces to the roster, every second of practice has been vitally important for Pope and his group. But some brief time away is also important.

Due to NCAA rules, a break in summer practice sessions is mandatory. Thursday morning was Kentucky’s final practice until the end of this month. Workouts start back up again on Monday, August 26 — the same day the fall semester begins at UK. That leaves two-plus weeks of free time for the players to enjoy.

Where do they plan to go during that sabbatical and who are they most excited to see? Thanks to a short video posted to social on Friday, 11 of the 12 the Wildcats (sorry, no Kerr Kriisa in this video) told us themselves.

So. G Otega Oweh: “First I’m going back to New Jersey, aka Dirty Jerz. If you know you know… I’m most excited to see my brother. He has a preseason game. I haven’t seen him play in a long time.”

Gr. G Koby Brea: “For break I’m going back home to New York City, gonna spend time with my family, get a lot of love from them and giving them love too. After that I’m gonna be going to the Damian Lillard camp, just keep getting better. Excited for the opportunity. Then we’ll be right back here.”

Sr. F Ansley Almonor: “Three trips. I’m about to go out to Cali for a few days, then I’m going back to New York for a few days, and I’ll be going on a vacation to the Dominican Republic. I’m most excited to see everybody… I’m just excited to see my family and hug them and kiss them and all that.”

Gr. C Amari Williams: “I’m going to Nottingham, England. Back home. Who am I most excited to see? I would say my family, my grandma, my parents.”

Fr. G Collin Chandler: “For the break, I’ll be going back home to Utah. I’m most excited to see my family and just be with them and spend a few weeks with them.”

Fr. G Travis Perry: “For the break I’m going back home, Lyon County, so staying in Kentucky. I’m most excited to see my mom, it’s her birthday today, so Happy Birthday to her, and my oldest sister. She texts me every day so it’s gonna be good to see her again.”

Gr. G Lamont Butler: “Going back home and then I’m taking a four-day trip to Hawaii with my girlfriend. Who am I most excited to see? I most excited to see my family.”

So. C Brandon Garrison: “Where I’m going on break, I’m gonna go home first. Friday I’m gonna leave out for San Juan (Puerto Rico), hit the beach. And then who I’m most excited to see? Probably my family and my mom for real.”

Gr. F Andrew Carr: “I’m going back to Westchester (New York). I’m most excited — sorry mom, I’m probably most excited to see my girlfriend.”

Gr. G Jaxson Robinson: “I’m going home, and I’m most excited to see my parents and my dogs.”

Fr. G Trent Noah: “During the break I’m going to Florida for a few days. And then I’m going home for the rest of the time. I’m most excited to see my golden retriever, Nugget.”

We’ll see you back in Lexington soon, boys.