Acaden Lewis de-commits

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

Sounds like a total BS move by the family but after finding out what his father did I can’t say I’m surprised.

Honestly, I think it’s gonna be fine. Hate it for year three, but i will say Pope started going for a completely different type of player after year 1 than he was going for before and during year 1. I think the game changed and we are gonna see Pope going for bigger guards going forward anyway. No disrespect intended but notice how little he wanted to play Perry by the end of the year. Not accident —- I think Pope now has an even more specific vision going forward and it will include better athletes, more physical specimen and bigger guards anyway. Just my opinion.

 

[KYFOSSIL]

So, he doesn’t need to get top HS kids? He has not done it and he just lost the closest thing he had to it.

Jasper is better and it doesnt matter what state he is from.

 

[mebeblue2]

There are no guarantees that anyone stays here multiple years, especially kids just looking for the most $$.

for the people that hated OAD, all i can say is welcome to OAD on steroids

 

[Woodrow24]

You need to shut your punk *** up. Seriously you are one of the most pathetic bipolar losers on here

He loves him some Calipari and been sad ever since he left. The stuff he would post defending Calipari was comical. Now with Pope he’s always looking to be negative.

 

[9N9]

Sounds like a total BS move by the family but after finding out what his father did I can’t say I’m surprised.

What did his dad do?

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Lewis (same with many five or high four star) may be willing to be bench warmer in Duke, but UK, no...

Which is disgusting

So they can make their little music videos and ride the hype wave, it’s sad but that’s all they care about. Money and tik-tok clout.

 

[travisbickle_rivals252984]

Exactly. Part of managing a team is managing personalities.

Managing personalities is one thing. Bowing to the whims of an 18 year old is another.

And if Lowe is not a threat to be a good player, as many have tried to insinuate, then shouldn’t Lewis have been able to easily beat him out?

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

Scared money don't make money. If competition scares him off then it's a blessing in disguise.

Now we are back down to 10.5 players (JQ hopefully will be fine but not 100% on what happens). If BG runs too that's 9.5 meaning we still need 3-4 guys. Get Alvaro, Pierre and Wilkerson locked down and we are still competing for a title.

 

[Titpwhami2014]

If he’s de-committing because Pope won’t guarantee him a starting spot—then it’s even more evident we have the right man running the program. He’s not going to stand for the Stacey Pooles and Khalil Whitneys and Cam’Ron Fletchers of the world who think PT is given and not earned.

 

[BigBubDaBiz]

See ya bruh…

 

[Dead Cat Bounce]

To me, this whole situation highlights the difficulty of building the sort of continuity that many of us agree makes for an optimal roster. The trick is to find young players with potential who are nevertheless willing to come off the bench for at least a season. That’s a very specific profile, and the lure of a starting spot and/or a larger NIL offer at some other program are gonna tempt a lot of players out of it. Pope’s best defense is to build credibility and clout with success on the hardwood. But I hope in the meantime, he’s taking names and keeping a list.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

What did his dad do?

https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/former-finance-director-admits-embezzling-non-profit

 

[Blue_2_the_bone_rivals]

What did his dad do?

Embezzled money from a nonprofit for victims.

 

[BassProCat]

We’re back on on Lee from Princeton now. I don’t get that one.

Article came out the other night saying we was still one of the main teams recruiting him…I think Pope knew then that Lewis was decommitting

 

[richbrookstomato]

Tells me Pope isn’t getting hijacked like Cal did. If you don’t want to compete before the season starts your no dog. Next

I truly believe it was the OPPOSITE in this situation.

If Coach Pope would have given in to the Lewis', Mr. Lowe would NOT have signed to play at UK today.

I hope this sends a message to those kids AND their parents that want to dictate how Coach Pope runs HIS program, and that is, if you aren't READY TO COMPETE, don't sign with UK!!!!

 

[NociHTTP]

I wonder if we would have had a Wheeler situation with him.

 

[king of cali]

I was surprised when he committed to UK. Just as surprised he flaked, but flake he did. What's even more surprising is that he thinks this is what's best for his future.

Lol. "College" basketball is more of a soap opera now than ever

What’s funny is YOU think you know what’s best for him.

 

[chasingwildcat]

To a worse extent, he may even consider exit before Lowe comes.

 

[DaDirtyLeb69]

Article came out the other night saying we was still one of the main teams recruiting him…I think Pope knew then that Lewis was decommitting

I don’t get it. Lee is going to St. John’s or Florida. We would be just wasting our time

 

[ToniTonyToneDelkDelkDelk]

Managing personalities is one thing. Bowing to the whims of an 18 year old is another.

And if Lowe is not a threat to be a good player, as many have tried to insinuate, then shouldn’t Lewis have been able to easily beat him out?

Not bending to his whims, but saying what needs to be said to get him on campus.

It’s Pope and staff’s responsibility to get him there and make his family feel comfortable.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

What’s funny is YOU think you know what’s best for him.

Agreed. It’s best for the weak to go play for Hubert Davis. That’s what’s best for him

 

[BassProCat]

I don’t get it. Lee is going to St. John’s or Florida. We would be just wasting our time

Pope seems to be pretty good at moving in silence …wouldn’t put anything past the Popester

 

[fabcat]

wtf is pope doing??? This sucks!!

Are you ******* serious? A 4* freshman point guard who’s afraid to compete. You really want that ****? That doesn’t win you championships. Plus, heard he’s going to Okie St. when have they been relevant?

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

I don’t get it. Lee is going to St. John’s or Florida. We would be just wasting our time

Why even try to get a backup PG? We have Lowe, Johnson and Perry already who play PG and Oweh can play it in a pinch. I wish he’d just get an elite shooter like Wilkerson and add a pure stretch four.

 

[Eccain01]

We’re back on on Lee from Princeton now. I don’t get that one.

I actually like Lees game a lot. He can play the Point and off the ball.

 

[richbrookstomato]

Why even try to get a backup PG? We have Lowe, Johnson and Perry already who play PG and Oweh can play it in a pinch. I wish he’d just get an elite shooter like Wilkerson and add a pure stretch four.

Heck, Chandler was decent at it too!!!

That makes 5 that could do it.

I'm with you, we need another SCORER and a Big that can shoot!!!

 

[mash_24]

I watched DJ Wagner start over Dillingham and Shep for an entire year because of a promise. I watched Quade Green start over SGA because of a promise. I’m not gonna get too upset about a kid decommitting because he didn’t get a promise.

 

[travisbickle_rivals252984]

Not bending to his whims, but saying what needs to be said to get him on campus.

It’s Pope and staff’s responsibility to get him there and make his family feel comfortable.

Not if the way to do it is guaranteeing him a starting spot. I like him as a player, but this kid isn’t a John Wall.

My guess is Pope told him he’ll compete for a starting spot. And I’m guessing he said the same thing to Lowe. Lewis didn’t want to do that.

I’m happy if that is what Pipe said to both of them because competition is the only way to improve. I hope the competition gets more and more cut throat the longer Pope is here.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

Heck, Chandler was decent at it too!!!

That makes 5 that could do it.

We need another SCORER!!!

Yep, in a positionless world of basketball in 2025, I’d rather Pope address roster trait issues more than roster positions if that makes sense. We have plenty of ballhandling and playmaking already. Lets find some top end shooters with deep, deep range that pressure the defense to remain committed to playing 25-30 feet from the basket. Paired with the athletes we have, you become a problem.

 

[katwest]

I’d say Pope told him if he could do better than Kentucky, he had his blessing. Playing at Kentucky is a privilege, it always will be.

 

[DaDirtyLeb69]

Why even try to get a backup PG? We have Lowe, Johnson and Perry already who play PG and Oweh can play it in a pinch. I wish he’d just get an elite shooter like Wilkerson and add a pure stretch four.

That’s my viewpoint as well. Just go get Wilkerson, have jasper be the backup Pg/6th man and maybe go find a project guard. Or he’ll just get Wilkerson and a project frontcourt guy

I actually like Lees game a lot. He can play the Point and off the ball.

wilkerson is a significantly better fit than Lee is

 

[ukcatz12]

Pope seems to be pretty good at moving in silence

Always knew Pope was a real G.

 

[Rideordiewildcat]

Im assuming Pope us as honest as he looks and doesn't bs these kids like others. He probably doesn't guarantee playing time and Lewis was just to soft to compete and earn the job. He's a 4 star Freshman i doubt a OAD how in the hell did he think he wouldn't have to compete for PT???

 

[FFWhite]

Decommitting this late in the process is a dick move. Kind of like stealing money when you are in a position of trust.

 

[Anon1679859502]

Why even try to get a backup PG? We have Lowe, Johnson and Perry already who play PG and Oweh can play it in a pinch. I wish he’d just get an elite shooter like Wilkerson and add a pure stretch four.

Perry needs to play mop up, I thought that was obvious last season. No offense to the young man but lacks the quickness for the SEC

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

Perry needs to play mop up, I thought that was obvious last season. No offense to the young man but lacks the quickness for the SEC

I agree. He’s the third string PG. that is mop up

 

[BBNWildcats4life]

Honestly, in the portal era I wouldn't expect a true freshmen PG to start at almost any big-time (especially blue blood) programs unless they were just an absolute monster/once every 5-10 year talent.

Freshmen PG's might need to get used to the idea of either going to a smaller school or, at best, sharing PT with an established and experienced PG.

If Lewis didn't want to compete for the spot/share minutes/be guaranteed a starting spot or whatever comes out, I personally don't care if he doesn't come here.

We've had coaches play favorites, pick a player in September and start them no matter how they perform and I think those days are over with Pope.

He knows what he's doing, he's analytics focused, and he knows an experienced player from another P5 (or even mid major) is almost certainly going to have a bigger impact than a true freshmen PG.

Guess we'll see how it all plays out.

 

[thebluestripes]

he gone

 

[CrimsonCats_rivals]

I somewhat disagree that he’s unique in “not wanting to compete”. The days of blue bloods having potential All-Americans all down the bench waiting for their turn next year are over. They can transfer anywhere and still get just as much TV time and just as much attention from scouts, so just about any highly rated recruit whether in high school or the portal is going to want some assurance of a role instead just an opportunity for competition.

That’s not necessarily to say that Pope messed up here. Since you’re not going to be able to stack your roster with multiple layers of redundancy, you have to make sure you’re committing to the right guys to get you where you want to go, so if he thinks Lowe is a better bet than Lewis to take us to the next level this year, then hopefully he’s right. As fans, I do think we need to face the reality that we’re not going to be able to be able to stash blue chip talent on the bench on the premise that they start with backup minutes and have a chance to earn more next year very often though.

 

[Woodrow24]

I thought you put me on ignore Woody? Couldn’t stay away huh?

Oh well… please let me know how I should respond to cornball name calling you silly goof.

Where I come from, people talking about someone’s mother doesn’t end to well. I’m glad my mother raised me to know better than to act like that. You need to be a man and stop posting that garbage. You know it’s not right. That’s why I called you an idiot the other day. I’ve seen you multiple times over the years saying things like that to people.