KSR Today: Keeping cool heading into another hot weekend in Kentucky

It’s been a long, hot week, but the weekend is almost here. Next week, Kentucky Football’s fall camp kicks off, bringing with it a Monday Mark Stoops press conference, more press conferences on Friday with Mitch Barnhart, Bush Hamdan, and Brad White, and an open practice at Fan Day on Saturday. Until then, the Kentucky sports news is a little lean, but thankfully, there’s plenty of news and entertainment elsewhere to keep us entertained.

Let’s get our Friday rolling with some quality Kentucky Basketball content that you may have missed on Thursday.

Catch up on interviews with Kentucky’s freshmen

This summer, we’ve been fortunate enough to talk to every player on Kentucky’s roster, save Andrija Jelavic, who has yet to make the trek from Croatia to Kentucky. On Thursday, we wrapped up the summer interview session with Jelavic’s fellow freshmen, Jasper Johnson, Malachi Moreno, and Braydon Hawthorne.

Johnson and Moreno talked plenty about growing up as Kentucky fans, Johnson in a football-crazy family, and Moreno in Georgetown. The two shared their experiences with USA Basketball over the summer, with Mark Pope serving as an assistant coach during training camp. Johnson also talked about how he urged Pope to pursue Jayden Quaintance when the big man entered the transfer portal. Braydon Hawthorne reacted to Pope comparing him to Tayshaun Prince and shared some insight into his recruitment and how he’s adjusting to the game at the college level so far.

There was a ton of good stuff, which we’ll be rolling out as the days go on. You can see the interviews in their entirety on the KSR YouTube Channel. While you’re there, you can check out a new episode of 11 Personnel to scratch that football itch.

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Oscar Combs watched practice

A familiar face was also at the Joe Craft Center this week. Oscar Combs got to watch Kentucky’s practice and spend some time with Mark Pope. It’s the first time he’s been to practice since Pope took the job last year. Knowing Pope’s reverence for Combs — whom he gave a shoutout during his introductory press conference — I know this moment meant a lot to both of them.

As for the practice itself, Combs didn’t spill any details other than telling Kentucky fans that No. 9 is on the way. That’s all the confirmation I needed to get excited about this season.

Thoroughly enjoyed visiting and chatting with @CoachMarkPope in his office following @KentuckyMBB practice. First chance I’ve had to make practice since Pope’s hiring 15 months ago. Native or foreigner, no one appreciates UK fans more. His energy is limitless. No. 9 on the way. pic.twitter.com/1Rw58EGjII

— Oscar Combs (@wildcatnews) July 24, 2025

Kentucky Basketball recruiting news

We also got some recruiting news on Thursday. 2026 five-star small forward Anthony Thompson included Kentucky in his top seven, along with Michigan, Indiana, Purdue, Texas, Ohio State, and North Carolina. He doesn’t have an official visit to Kentucky set just yet, but according to Jacob Polacheck, he’s expected to come to Lexington at some point later this year. Earlier this week, Jordan Smith Jr., the No. 4-ranked player in the 2026 class, set his official visit to Kentucky for October 12-14, the weekend of Big Blue Madness.

This week, Kentucky’s staff offered two new players after watching them in action at the Peach Jam: four-star wing Cole Cloer and four-star forward Maximo Adams. Jacob Polacheck broke down their recruitments, Thompson’s list cut, and Smith’s official visit on the latest episode of “Here Comes The Boom.”

You can find more of Jacob’s excellent work on KSR+ and KSBoard. Basketball recruiting is starting to heat up.

Take advantage of our KSR+ Introductory Offer to get bonus coverage of the Cats, including game threads, in-depth scouting reports, and the latest recruiting and roster intel. $1 for a week.

RIP Hulk Hogan

There were plenty of national sports stories on Thursday (President Trump’s executive order, NCAA Tournament expansion on hold, Greg Sankey’s shot at the Big Ten, North Carolina exploring a move to the SEC, and Bill Self’s medical emergency, to name a few), but we can’t close the book on the day without honoring one of the biggest entertainers in sports. Hulk Hogan passed away at the age of 71 yesterday from a cardiac arrest. Since the news broke, tributes have been pouring out for the pro wrestling legend. I’m sure you’ve seen many of them, so instead I’ll share a clip from one of his trips to Lexington, when he filmed this promo with the Macho Man and Dave Baker.

that time @HulkHogan joined the Macho Man to form the Mega Powers at @Rupp_Arena, and told @wkytsports and @buzzbaker all about it. What a great night… ! pic.twitter.com/jh1128vSie

— SteveMossWKYT (@SteveMossWKYT) July 24, 2025

“Happy Gilmore 2” debuts

It’s been 29 years since Happy Gilmore took the PGA by storm; today, he returns to our screens with a much-awaited sequel on Netflix. Adam Sandler is back as the hockey player-turned-pro-golfer who “swings for a comeback to make his kid’s dream come true,” per the teaser text. Julie Bowen, Ben Stiller, and Christopher McDonald (Shooter McGavin) are back, too. Notable cameos include John Daly, Paige Spiranac, Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, and Will Zalatoris.

I know what I’m watching tonight.

Tyler Childers’ new album is out

If you’d rather listen to something new this weekend, Tyler Childers’ new album “Snipe Hunter” also dropped today. I’m listening to it as I type, and so far, so great. Produced by legendary producer Rick Rubin, the album is definitely more rock than his previous six, but the edge, soul, and storytelling are 100% Tyler. Even if you’re not a fan of the new sound, he included studio versions of “Nose on the Grindstone” and “Oneida.” This one’s going to get a lot of playing time on the lake this weekend.

Hit play below and have a great weekend.