KSR Today: Welcome to Kentucky Summer Camp

It’s another beautiful summer Sunday across Big Blue Nation. When I say beautiful, I mean soggy, but we’re not going to let a little rain on our parade because for the first time in a long time, I’ll be at the home of the Kentucky football team.

The Wildcats are hosting their first camp of the summer season this afternoon. The Sunday Showcase invites talented high school players from all across the country to test their skills and work out with the UK coaches. This is one of the few times college coaches can actually evaluate players in person, making it a vital opportunity for underclassmen in the class of 2027 and beyond.

KSR will have boots on the ground for the event. You can find updates on KSBoard, or hang around here for a full recap. Speaking of camps…

Kentucky Basketball Father/Daughter Camp

While football prospects are being evaluated, Dads and Daughters are enjoying an exciting, immersive Kentucky basketball experience at the Joe Craft Center. Mark Pope is hosting his second straight day of camps, today inviting girls 7-17 and their fathers to hoop at the home of the Wildcats. Saturday’s session was for Fathers and Sons, and it provided one endearing moment of levity. Poor kid surely wanted to get Mark Pope’s attention, just not this way.

Mark Pope does not allow red socks at his Father/Son Camp

Kentucky staff made sure to swap them out for white 😹 pic.twitter.com/QHk2TAJQ3V

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) June 7, 2025

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Kentucky Softball and Baseball Tournaments Dodging Rain

That’s one big positive about the basketball camp: it’s indoors. The diamond dogs have been dodging rain all weekend over at KPP and John Cropp Stadium. The first two rounds of the state softball and baseball tournaments were supposed to have wrapped up on Saturday. We still have three baseball and softball games on the schedule for Sunday. Unfortunately, more rain is expected in Lexington this morning, with a chance for an evening thunderstorm. So far, Trinity and Scott County are the only teams who have solidified a spot in the semifinals.

More NBA Finals Drama Incoming?

The Indiana Pacers just keep doing the unthinkable. They overcame a 15-point deficit, again, before Tyrese Haliburton hit a buzzer-beater, again. Game 1 delivered the goods. Are we going to run it back for game 2?

Despite the Pacers’ win, the Oklahoma City Thunder are actually even bigger favorites (-11) in game two. The Pacers are +410 on the moneyline, which seems kinda crazy, especially when you remember that the Pacers took the first two games of the last series on the road at Madison Square Garden. The Thunder are still -330 to win the NBA Finals. Tip-off is set for 8 PM ET on ABC.

Sovereignty Did It Again

It was deja vu all over again at Saratoga Race Course. The top three Kentucky Derby finishers went 1-2-3 in the Belmont Stakes. Journalism had a slight lead entering the homestretch when Sovereignty turned on the jets and blew by the competition in a romp. Bill Mott clearly has the class of this division, with back-to-back wins in Triple Crown starts. Hopefully, we get another chance to see these horses compete later this summer in the Travers Stakes.

SOVEREIGNTY. pic.twitter.com/DDSbbzjQjw

— Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) June 7, 2025

If you still have an itch to watch Kentucky Derby horses, boy, do I have good news for you. Today’s Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs will feature five horses that ran on the first Saturday in May: Chunk of Gold, Coal Battle, Burnham Square, East Avenue, and Final Gambit, the fourth-place finisher in the Derby. Post time is at 4:22 PM ET. It’s also Family Adventure Day. There will be bounce houses, face painting, all sorts of stuff to keep your kids entertained while you cash some tickets.

Are you ready for some football?

It’s not NFL football, but it is professional football and it’s going to be on your televisions this afternoon. The UFL Conference Championships are Sunday, starting at 3 PM ET on ABC. The Birmingham Stallions will play the Michigan Panthers in the USFL Final, followed by the XFL Championship between the D.C. Defenders and St. Louis Battlehawks at 6 PM ET on Fox.

Condolences to Northern Kentucky

The Northern Kentucky community suffered a great loss on Saturday. Conner head football coach David Trosper died after suffering a heart attack. He was only 55. Trosper is a Boone County grad who was the longest-tenured coach in the area, leading the Conner football program since 2007. It’s so sad on so many levels. We’re sending heartfelt prayers and condolences to his family and the countless players he guided over the last 18 years.