Braydon Hawthorne, center, and Reece Potter likely will both redshirt this season. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Kentucky coach Mark Pope has praised his team’s depth since summer practice started and said playing time would take care of itself. However, he apparently has a plan to help solve some of the playing time concerns.
The UK coach confirmed at Thursday’s press conference that 7-footer Reece Potter, a Miami (Ohio) transfer and former Lexington Catholic standout, would redshirt.
“Reece is committed right now to redshirt. So we’re expecting to redshirt Reece unless something changes, which always can happen,” Pope said.
Potter averaged 6.3 points and 3.4 rebounds per game in 56 games the last two seasons. He made 11 starts for Miami. He knew playing time would be limited at Kentucky with Brandon Garrison, Jayden Quaintance and Malachi Moreno all slotted ahead of him.
Pope also indicated there is a strong possibility freshman Braydon Hawthorne, a 6-foot-8 freshman, could be redshirted to save a year of eligibility.
“With BH, we’re still trying to feel the waters a little bit. I’ll be cautious about him. I’m not gonna burn it (the redshirt year). We’re having conversations regularly now about how we feel about that and what’s best for him. But it’s an ongoing conversation,” Pope said.
Like Potter, Hawthorne does not figure to be in the regular playing rotation and would likely get limited playing time at best if he doesn’t redshirt.
“His head is spinning a little bit trying to learn all these concepts and trying to figure out some places. He’s a different body type. He’s got a different skill set. So he’s got to learn his own individual way to make things work. But he’s got a huge upside,” Pope said.
“The best thing about him is his joy is just incredible. And he brings it every single day and his laugh is contagious. And the guys love him and he loves the guys, but he’s going to be a big-time basketball player.”
6 Responses
With this being said, it is imperative to get Quaintance on the floor ASAP, if only for limited minutes. Both he and Noah should get a cameo appearance against Louisville and expand their PT from there.
I was wondering why BH was not getting any court time but now I see the plan: looks like next season is already shaping up.
BBN FOR EVER
I like the sounds of redshirting as a part of the program "long term" plan (as if 2 years is an appropriate long term focus). In the days of the portal and NIL, the longest term I have heard discussed in years has been less than 1 year.
Hmmmm some gentleman in the comments predicted this in April. They don't call me know it all for nothing. Potter and Hawthorne will both be solid role players next year. If it wasn't for injuries Noah and Perry would both be freshman too. Potter will fill in Morenos role next year. Hawthorne will play the 3 and be the backup 3 next year behind Noah. It's the smart thing to do. Why blow a year that you can have a extra year and play meaningful minutes. Instead of coming in the game with 50 seconds to play. That's a waste. Chandler, Oweh, Lowe, and Aberdeen is a 4 headed monster at the guard position. I think our back court is about even with Louisville. Our front court however is better than Louisville. We should dominate the rebounding. Kentucky wins 83-79
They may jump ship to a school that will give them playing time and NIL is another thing. Hopefully they will stick to redshirt
I hate to say it but I say it with confidence we will be much better next year. We have potentially 11 guys coming back. Only Oweh, Aberdeen and JQ are gone. Probably 2-3 guys transfer so your left with 8-9 guys coming back next year. If we can add two great point guards in the portal with experience and a couple of shooters we will win the nation championship in 2027. We have all the right pieces we are just still kind of young for today's standards.
Comments are closed.