Mark Pope is installing schemes and instilling teamwork on the court
Wildcats' head coach has tons of praise for his new players
LEXINGTON, KY (ABC 36 NEWS NOW)- Kentucky men’s basketball head coach Mark Pope describes his new team as “incredible,” in almost every question he answers.
“The guys are doing an extraordinary job. I’m really excited about fitting these pieces together,” said Pope in his opening statement as he addressed the media on June 25. “We feel incredibly rushed and under the gun now to grow together.”
Craft Center Cultivation
Six practices into summer workouts, Pope has been impressed with the ability of every player.
“There have been no surprises at all. The pieces fit,” said Pope.
The former Brigham Young head coach gave props to his players who are getting used to a new system, school and city. Lamont Butler, Andrew Carr and Otega Oweh are three who were singled out as hard workers.
“(Veteran players) have kind of done what they’ve done and do what they do and they’re less responsive,” said Pope “The thing that’s been surprising is that these guys have been incredibly willing to grab onto any instruction and run with it.”
In the summer months, the coaching staff has four hours a week with the team. Ample time together means that Pope’s number one goal is to install his system as fast as possible.
“In a normal situation, we’d just be doing skill development right now, but we’ve moved at lightning fast pace trying to give our guys a sense of how we play,” said Pope. “The guys have been really receptive.”
Life in the Lodge
A player led culture is something that is a priority for Pope as his team spends more time together. His hands off approach is already evident in an anecdote from the Wildcat Lodge this past week.
Credit- UK Athletics
“One of our guys had a really tough day the other day and we were super concerned about him. It was a tough, emotional day.” said Pope, who spoke to the player on the phone that evening.
While on the call, Pope asked the player what he had done to feel better about the situation.
“He said that ‘Me and my teammate just spent the last few hours writing a song in the Lodge,'” said Pope. “That’s the magic of a team. When you see signs like that that’s actually how you develop relationships.”
Whether or not any of Kentucky’s players have hidden talents outside the lines is beside the point. Pope’s squad is already treating each other with the respect that a winning team needs.
Pope says that’s the bottom line.
“Our guys’ voices will always be more powerful than mine,” said Pope. “These are some of the best human beings on this team.”
