Who Should Be the Special Guest for Kentucky at Big Blue Madness in 2026?

First, it was Rick Pitino in 2024. Then, it was John Wall in 2025. Kentucky has had two iconic special guests at Big Blue Madness over the last two years.

The last two Big Blue Madnesses have been ones to remember. However, it’s never too late to look ahead to 2026, even just hours removed from our most recent BBM.

KSR+ is choosing five candidates to be the special guests at Big Blue Madness in 2026. Some names are realistic candidates, while others are pipe dreams. Might as well have the full spectrum of people on here.

DeMarcus Cousins

DeMarcus Cousins made his return to Big Blue Madness in October 2023, which feels like ages ago. Let’s make it happen again.

Cousins hasn’t been exactly Big Blue Nation’s favorite former player since John Calipari left. He caught flak after saying Kentucky would “never be the same” after Calipari’s departure. However, the love for Boogie in Lexington is clear.

It’s only fitting for Kentucky to bring back Cousins one year after John Wall makes his return. If there’s anyone who’s been to BBM recently that fans would love to see again, it’s Cousins. Nothing would make things right like Mark Pope introducing him to a raucous crowd at Rupp Arena.

John Calipari

Okay, this one might be a bit far-fetched. That’s mainly because he’s currently the head coach at the University of Arkansas. But can you imagine?

John Calipari was the head coach at Kentucky from 2009 to 2024, winning a national title in 2012. He led UK to four Final Fours in 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2015. However, his tenure ended on a sour note, losing to No. 14 seed Oakland in the 2024 NCAA Tournament before leaving to take the head coaching job at Arkansas.

We saw just last year a sitting head coach at another program come into Big Blue Madness and make his return after leaving for a rival program wearing red. Why can’t we see another?

Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis feels like an obvious choice as the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player in Kentucky’s latest NCAA title in 2012. His NBA career has lived up to the hype.

Davis had one of the best one-and-done seasons in NCAA history during the 2011-12 season. He was the national college player of the year, NABC defensive player of the year, the NCAA blocks leader, the SEC Player of the Year, and he won Kentucky’s first NCAA Title since the 1997-98 season.

Davis is one of the most decorated Kentucky players in the NBA. He’s been named to 10 NBA All-Star games, won an NBA title in 2020, and is a four-time First-Team All-NBA selection. Bringing him back to Big Blue Madness would remind Kentucky fans of its latest title.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

It’s crazy I’ve gone this long without mentioning the reigning NBA MVP and Finals MVP. What’s even crazier is that I wasn’t even 100 percent on including him.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was excellent at Kentucky, earning second-team All-SEC honors in 2018 and being drafted No. 11 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. Yet, he was never close at Kentucky to reaching the heights he’s reached in the NBA.

Gilgeous-Alexander is coming off one of the greatest seasons in NBA history. He captured MVP honors, won a scoring title, and was named NBA Finals MVP, leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to its first-ever title. He might not have the legacy at Kentucky like some of the other players on this list, but his status in basketball is unmatched right now.

Reed Sheppard

Sure, Reed Sheppard might have upset a lot of Kentucky fans when he wore an Arkansas shirt ahead of the UK-Arkansas game earlier this year. However, by Big Blue Madness 2026, that will be a distant memory.

Sheppard was beloved during his one season at Kentucky. The son of Kentucky NCAA Champion Jeff Sheppard, Reed exceeded all expectations for him during the 2023-24 season.

Sheppard was the national freshman of the year by some outlets during his lone season at Kentucky, eventually being drafted by the Houston Rockets with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.