KSR Today: Peach Jam and Kentucky player interviews
It may technically be the offseason for Kentucky basketball, but you wouldn’t know it looking at the program’s current day-to-day operations — this week especially. Back in Lexington, the entire roster is meeting with the media for the first time, starting with DJ Wagner, Reed Sheppard and Adou Thiero on Wednesday, followed by Ugonna Onyenso, Jordan Burks and Justin Edwards on Thursday. And then Friday, remaining Wildcats Antonio Reeves, Joey Hart, Rob Dillingham and Tre Mitchell will have their sit-down conversations.
That’s while juggling practice and workout schedules ahead of the team’s trip to Toronto next week for the 2023 GLOBL JAM. The players will pack their bags and fly out on Sunday, with games set to run from Wednesday to Sunday in the international basketball showcase.
Meanwhile, John Calipari and his full coaching staff — including new assistant Chuck Martin — are on the road evaluating the next generation of elite basketball talent during the busiest recruiting week of the year. Calipari, Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman have been in North Augusta at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam, bouncing around from court to court to open the evaluation period, which began Thursday at 8 a.m. ET and runs through Sunday. Elsewhere, Martin is in Rock Hill checking out some of the top talent at the 3SSB finals, sporting Kentucky blue for the first time on Calipari’s staff.
Let’s run through it all, shall we?
Kentucky players meet the media
What do the current Wildcats have to say about the team and how things are going in practice leading up to the GLOBL JAM?
Sheppard talked about his drive to win and his decision to wear No. 15 like his old man while Thiero discussed his physical growth. Wagner shared his thoughts on Aaron Bradshaw’s return and potential impact while also discussing his personal expectations as a Wildcat.
As for Burks, he talked about his transition to life as a Kentucky basketball player while Onyenso discussed his return for year two and the leadership he hopes to bring. And like Wagner, Edwards also talked about his expectations in Lexington and the impact he plans to bring as a Wildcat.
What will Antonio Reeves, Tre Mitchell, Rob Dillingham and Joey Hart have to say? That media session is set to begin this morning at 10:30 a.m. ET. KSR will have you covered with coverage on the site throughout the afternoon.
Coach Cal (and staff) hits the recruiting trail
Who did John Calipari and his staff check out on day one of the evaluation period? It was certainly a busy one, arriving at the gym in the morning and leaving when things shut down in the evening.
Here is the complete list of who Coach Cal, Orlando Antigua, Chin Coleman and Chuck Martin sat courtside for on Thursday:
- Caleb Wilson
- Cooper Flagg
- Cam and Cayden Boozer
- Karter Knox
- Jasper Johnson
- Boogie Fland
- Billy Richmond
- Jalil Bethea
- Ahmad Nowell
- Tyran Stokes
- Tre Johnson
- Darryn Peterson
- Koa Peat
- Malachi Moreno
- Annor Boateng
- VJ Edgecomb
KSR will be back in the gym on Friday following along, with dozens of interviews and content pieces to come. Stay tuned.
Chuck Martin hired at Kentucky
Speaking of Martin, the former Oregon assistant was officially announced as a new addition to Calipari’s staff on Thursday, shortly after he was spotted in Kentucky gear at the 3SSB championships.
The 20-year coaching veteran was given an assistant title while also being named recruiting coordinator. According to the release, Martin will be tasked with providing strategies to help advance the program while offering additional counsel on all aspects of the program including recruiting, scouting, player development and special projects as assigned by the head coach. As recruiting coordinator, he will independently manage official and unofficial visits and be responsible for all recruiting strategy for the program.
“Chuck is a veteran in this profession who will be a great benefit to our team and staff,” Calipari said. “He has ties not only to me when we were on staff at Memphis together but also to several other members of our staff. Chuck is an established coach who will be our assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, looking to open new doors to make our successful recruiting even stronger.”
“I’m extremely excited to be reunited with Coach Cal,” Martin added. “I’m looking forward to joining his tremendous staff and being a part of something greater than myself.”
Somto Cyril to play in The Basketball Tournament
Future Kentucky big man Somto Cyril will make history by becoming the first-ever amateur to participate in The Basketball Tournament with Team Overtime.
Cyril, who committed to Kentucky in June, play with former college standouts and OTE rising stars in the 64-team field. Team Overtime will begin its TBT run on Wednesday, July 26 in Dayton, OH against Carmen’s Crew (Ohio State alumni) at 6:00 p.m. EST.
The event will tip off starting July 19 and run through the beginning of August in the nationally televised single-elimination tournament.
Sydney McLaughlin begins run at USATF Outdoor Championships
Sydney McLaughlin is doing Sydney McLaughlin things, this time in dominating her first-round heat of the 400M to advance to Friday’s semifinals of the Toyota USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships in Eugene.
McLaughlin-Levrone, the world record holder and reigning gold medalist in the 400-meter hurdles, is running the 400M flat. She set a personal record (PR), 49.51 at the NYC Grand Prix back in June, and then Thursday evening, she finished in 49.79 seconds to advance to the next round.
The semifinals are set to begin at 10 p.m. ET on CNBC and Peacock on Friday. Make sure you tune in to see (Go) Syd Go.
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