BB: Kentucky Basketball Pro Day
- Thread starter TheResistance
- Start date
Ousmane N'Diaye
If you don't have N'Diaye as one of the winners of Pro Day, you're doing something wrong. N'Diaye proved that he is a legit three-level scorer. Not only is he good around the basket, the 6-11 forward can also shoot it from deep, and he did it consistently well. He was even seen shooting a number of threes in a row during shootaround. But isn't just his ability to score from anywhere that really stands out, it is his mobility and how well he moves for his size. N'Diaye is going to provide some quality versatility this season. Those Kevin Durant comparisons may have actually been true in terms of playstyle.
Alex Wilkins
Another major standout from Pro Day, Alex Wilkins' shooting had question marks around it entering this season, but what we saw from Big Blue Madness and then on Tuesday erased them. Wilkins was not afraid to let it fly from three and that was clear. It wasn't because he forced it -- he got himself open, whether it was by a teammate or him creating for himself. Wilkins even hit one three that looked to be on the mid-court logo. He has really proved to be a very consistent shooter for Kentucky.
Mason Williams
There is a good chance Mason Williams gets significant backup PG minutes, early in the season especially. The freshman guard came in ranked as a fringe top-100 player, but he showed that he can be much more than that this season, We knew about his winning mindset, but what stood out at Pro Day was his shooting ability. He knocked a number of them down consistently in shootaround, and even a few during the scrimmage portion of the event. What also stood out with Williams was his size and a frame that looks NBA-ready. He was able to get to the basket consistently, which left shooters out on the perimeter for him to kick out to. He's going to be a significant contributor off the bench.
KSR's top takeaways from Kentucky Basketball Pro Day 2026
It's basketball time in the Bluegrass, with Big Blue Madness transitioning into Kentucky Pro Day 2026 at Rupp Arena. All 30 NBA teams attended the annual
It was a good day for the Wildcats across the board, with no obvious weak links among expected rotation pieces. The team’s biggest names, particularly Milan Momcilovic and Malachi Moreno, looked like top contributors—the former had some whoa makes from deep while also impressing as a passer and the latter looked lean and explosive, leading all scorers through four scrimmage portions—but those in the gym left raving about Ousmane N’Diaye.
I'm gonna over-react and get excited. Sounds like a high-octane O team. Hopefully, if Pope can't coach D, at least the length at every position will help.
My take away is zoom will come off the bench by the middle of the season and Mason will be starting at pg. Zoom doesn't look great. Isiah Briscoe without the talent.
This seems like an extremely low bar to set. Last years team was trash.
I think this years team is sweet 16 team level so what the guy said is true. Its just a low bar.
If Wilkins and N’Diaye are as good as rumored, this could be a very good roster. I like reading about Williams as a capable PG backup and McBride may have that toughness we need.
Diallo
Wilkins
Momocilivic
N’Diaye
Moreno
This could prove all the doom and gloom fans wrong.
Diallo
Wilkins
Momocilivic
N’Diaye
Moreno
This could prove all the doom and gloom fans wrong.
Is Kam Williams coming off the bench? Seems like that will be the case. He is multiple, so it may be best that he is first or second off the bench.
I’ve said all along that Ousmane N'Diaye was going to surprise some people.
Would have to assume he’s gonna back up the 3/4 (mainly 3), ease him back in due to injury
For size and shooting I will want to see this at some pt…
Wilkins
Hawthorne
mm
Uzi
Moreno
Or
Wilkins
Hawthorne
MM
McBride
Uzi
Wilkins
Hawthorne
mm
Uzi
Moreno
Or
Wilkins
Hawthorne
MM
McBride
Uzi
I do not want to be too critical of pro day, but I had mixed feelings. I thought NDaiye looked solid as a PF starter and thought McBride looked really good as the PF2. Moreno looked solid and I think our bench at center is also solid, but there is a drop off offensively. I was not concerned with MilMom’s misses. While I think Mason looks like he could Resemble Teague, I thought the guard play was sporadic and disconnected. I see Wilkin’s ceiling but think he needs to be more consistent. Zoom, as Goose repeatedly stated, needs to make quicker decisions and get the ball out of his hands. The next month is really needed, I think, to sand down some rough spots.
I like that idea. When is he projected to be able to play?
I thought Zoom looked good. He’s a creator and very quick. he made most of his shots and played good defense (albeit a scrimmage)
I’m encouraged by what I saw. This team looks legit.
Once they get under the lights in Rupp for a couple games, I think they will be a tough out.
Last report I saw said he was expected to miss the exhibitions, precautionary and no reason to risk it, but to be fully available for the first game of the regular season.
The question then becomes, conditioning, game speed acclimation after all the time off, cohesion and fit with new teammates, being in the right spot and making the correct reads without full speed reps. My guess is he starts ramping up in practice soon with the squad and they slow roll him against the cupcakes (Manhattan and James Madison) and are hoping he can go against Kansas. His length and defense will certainly be needed against Stokes. Hopefully he can guard Stokes similarly to how he guarded Wilson in the UNC game. A long bright spot from that otherwise horrendous game.
Thanks
im not sure how many times we could use it but a 3 guard line up with the way we are supposed to shoot the 3 ball might be in play.
wilkins was like 3 for 10 on threes and took a ton of quick shots. and did nothing else. i mean if he "makes it look easy" he would:
- make a higher percentage
- score in different ways
Watching Wilkins in a few I’m not worried about him. Yes take better shots and he will. Hits 1 more and he’s a 40% guy. He’s faster with the ball than I thought at 6 5
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