Team-building isn’t just a buzzword in Lexington—it’s the foundation for Kentucky basketball’s new identity. They want to work together, all towards the goal of winning a national championship.
As the 2025 season preperation ramps up, Mark Pope’s squad is leaning into something deeper than Xs and Os. With a brand-new roster full of transfers and freshmen, the Wildcats are using every day this offseason to build bonds off the court—and players say it’s already paying dividends.
“Every day we’re doing something outside of basketball,” freshman wing Braydon Hawthorne said. “That means a lot, building that team chemistry off the floor is going to lead to wins on the floor.