Another example of why recruiting is so important

REMO8

Redshirt
Feb 15, 2026
4
9
3
That old saying “If it’s and butts were candy and nuts we all would have a great Christmas”.
Money drives these kids, do you actually think Self is going to teach Stokes anything he doesn’t know already in the 8 months at Kansas (Other than an arrest record)
I don't care what drives these kids. Its Pope's job to compel these kids to pick Kentucky. He hasn't done a horrible job of this but it clearly hasn't been good enough.
 

HolySmokes

Senior
Oct 23, 2026
318
462
63
Look at Stokes like Cousins. If Cousins went to Kansas or UNC he would be a pos thug trouble maker. But hes a Wildcat and we love him. Same for any player.
 
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Oboro_3

Freshman
Sep 3, 2024
32
77
13
Transfers are more important. With transfers, we have too many players in front of these freshmen. Look where the top center decided to play. They do not have any top player in front of him. Look where Alston went? They do not have any players in front of him. We have an all-sec center that could potentially return as well as a number of guards that could return as well.
 
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JASUN74

All-American
May 22, 2008
3,935
5,894
73
Dude will never be an nba all star. He will be an ok college player but he shoots like ****. His college game will be bully ball and free throws. Some games he will be ok, others he will look like a turd.
Kid 18 years old and will hit his prime in 10-15 years and may be able to work on his shot. lol. He definitely has a chance to improve and become an NBA All Star one day. He works extremely hard on his game and I would’ve loved to had him but he didn’t want to be here apparently. You could be right in the end but he has a long career to work so we’ll see.
 

Catastic5

All-Conference
Sep 12, 2026
531
1,335
93
Transfers are more important. With transfers, we have too many players in front of these freshmen. Look where the top center decided to play. They do not have any top player in front of him. Look where Alston went? They do not have any players in front of him. We have an all-sec center that could potentially return as well as a number of guards that could return as well.
If they were true, Pope wouldn’t be going after these elite high school prospects. For every recruit he misses, that’s one more player that he doesn’t have for whatever his “plan” for Kentucky is. It’s why everyone who pointed out how concerned we were about taking Mark Mitchell. Pope knew something was wrong with the team and we can see why now.
 

Omega_X

Junior
Sep 7, 2026
190
289
63


If I had to guess I’d say the answer is millions and millions of dollars.

I read a bit earlier that Rafer is pissed about Reese picking LSU because Pope had promised him a job if Reese came here.

It’s comical that Pope sucks so bad that not even millions in nil to the kid and a job for his dad can get him a player.
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
48,560
89,440
113
If we landed Deron Rippey or Rob Wright instead of having to pivot to zoom our team looks way different, and also if we landed christian collins or stokes instead of having to use ndiye and mcbride
That’s the truth. I like Ndiye actually but having him as the backup would be way better or having Collins be able to come along slowly and develop would be a huge roster advantage. The difference of having Wright or Rippey would be huge. It’s why Pope won’t last.
 

RunninRichie

Heisman
Sep 5, 2019
29,835
71,894
113
I read a bit earlier that Rafer is pissed about Reese picking LSU because Pope had promised him a job if Reese came here.

It’s comical that Pope sucks so bad that not even millions in nil to the kid and a job for his dad can get him a player.
Lol, Pope is so awful as a recruiter he's just offering jobs to get recruits. This clown show can't end fast enough.
 

chroix

Heisman
Jul 22, 2013
11,047
28,085
113
I read a bit earlier that Rafer is pissed about Reese picking LSU because Pope had promised him a job if Reese came here.

It’s comical that Pope sucks so bad that not even millions in nil to the kid and a job for his dad can get him a player.
Feels like we’ve seen this a few too many times for it to be sustainable. I’m personally sick of us fielding the mid-major leftover all star team. Good for a WKU to be there but not here. Never.
 
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Jul 23, 2026
144
351
63
Still think it’s more concerning he can’t get his top priorities in the transfer portal. Especially with this 2027 high school class. Very few if any potential game changers at the college level in their first or only year.
 

The Ganner

All-Conference
Nov 21, 2009
471
1,284
93
If we landed Deron Rippey or Rob Wright instead of having to pivot to zoom our team looks way different, and also if we landed christian collins or stokes instead of having to use ndiye and mcbride
Did we "pivot to" Zoom? We had Zoom and Wright coming on visits at the same time with offers out to both and were publicly pitching the two of them on playing together. The Wilkins recruitment heated up after we missed on Wright.
 
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SenseMaker_Cats

All-American
Jul 3, 2025
2,412
6,853
113
There’s a long list of guys to complain about that Pope didn’t get. Wright isn’t one of them. He was never going anywhere. Everyone and I mean local and national guys were saying “done deal to UK”. Then poof, he’s back at BYU sitting at a deal smirking and signing his new deal.
 
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