Aaron Harrison: If you embrace pressure, go to Kentucky. If not? 'You should probably go to Tennessee or something.'

Some of the greatest moments in the history of Kentucky basketball came from Aaron Harrison‘s fingertips, the former five-star recruit leading the Wildcats on an all-time March Madness run in year one, followed by an all-time season for the team in year two. He wasn’t the most productive, generally speaking, with career averages of 12.4 points on 41/34/79 shooting splits — but you’re lying to yourself if you don’t think the Richmond, TX native cemented himself as a legend in two seasons in Lexington.

Harrison was able to do it because he embraced the moment and embodied a win-at-all-costs mindset wearing the blue and white. It’s something he always knew he had in him, but had to show it on the biggest and brightest stage.

When he got his shot(s), he converted, over and over again.

“That was a part of my responsibility, you know? The good thing that I did that came from all of that, I felt that no matter what, all my teammates looked to me at some point,” Harrison told the UK Sports Network on Monday. “I’ve always kinda been like that. Even growing up, some people just have that knack for being there when it’s time to win and wanting to show up when it’s time to win.”

He was a part of 29 wins as a freshman, then 38 as a sophomore. Two special groups — one that underachieved during the regular season before telling “a great story” during the NCAA Tournament, one that made history with 38 consecutive victories to open the season — and Harrison was a key figure of both.

His pitch to other blue-chippers in his shoes as a former top-ranked recruit trying to decide on a college? Head coach aside with John Calipari now at Arkansas and Mark Pope replacing him at Kentucky, do not become a Wildcat if you’re not ready for those moments. If you crumble under pressure or can’t take criticism when you lose games, there are plenty of other schools where you can coast.

Only one rewards you the way making a name for yourself at the University of Kentucky rewards you.

“I wouldn’t tell everyone to come to Kentucky. I would tell them that if you’re ready, come to Kentucky. If you’re okay with being expected to win every single game, every possession, everything, then you should come to Kentucky,” Harrison said. “If you’re not ready for that, you don’t want that expectation or that type of pressure, whatever, I wouldn’t say to go to Kentucky.

“You should probably go to Tennessee or something.”

Aaron Harrison back in Rupp Arena Saturday night!
Looking back on his Kentucky career + a message for future Wildcats.

Presented by: @budlight pic.twitter.com/jXIGwcrbGt

— UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) December 15, 2025

Couldn’t have said it better myself. This is the point where he always hits it, after all.