Rajon Rondo meets with Kentucky Wildcats: ‘Embrace it, understand what it means to wear this jersey every night.’

When you think of all-time Kentucky point guards, the list is incomplete without Rajon Rondo. Coming in as a McDonald’s All-American out of Louisville, the five-star guard lived up to the hype, named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in ’04-05 after setting the single-season steals record with 87 and followed that up with averages of 11.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.1 steals per game as a sophomore in ’05-06.

Then he went on to become a 16-year pro, four-time NBA All-Star and two-time world champion. The 6-1 guard was a four-time All-Defensive Team selection, three-time assists leader and one-time steals leader. One of the brightest basketball minds to ever come through the sport, he represented his alma mater at Kentucky as well as you can on the court until calling it a career in 2024 after suiting up for ten different franchises and earning $116 million along the way.

When that guy gives you advice on how to make it at Kentucky before pushing toward your professional dreams, you listen. Fortunately, the current group got the opportunity to hang onto every word when Rondo met with the Wildcats on the first day of practice on Monday at his old stomping grounds of Rupp Arena.

“For me personally, some of you may not know, I’m from Louisville, Kentucky — so, right up the street. I was born and raised here. For me to wear this jersey, it was everything for me,” Rondo told the team. “I had a decision to make between Louisville and Kentucky, but for me, playing for Tubby (Smith), it was an undeniable decision that I had to make.

“Being able to come in as a freshman and play right away, for this fanbase — I played for a lot of great organizations from L.A. to Boston, and every chance I get, every time I’m out in public, it’s always Kentucky fans wherever you go. They’re the most loyal fans to this day.”

Rondo was a two-and-done in Lexington before chasing titles as a pro, but he made the decision to return to school and get his degree after the basketball stopped bouncing in his life as a player. He walked across the stage to receive his diploma in May, solidifying himself as a Wildcat for life beyond anything he did on the hardwood.

Rajon Rondo walks the commencement stage and receives his UK diploma in Rupp Arena pic.twitter.com/QDNfKd6Lrv

— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) May 9, 2025

The current guys may not know it now, but they’ll learn eventually the magnitude of their current situation and the second-to-none fraternity you join by putting on that jersey. La Familia is forever, and he lived it.

“I just came back last semester and finished my degree, so this is a home for me. I’ll always call it home,” Rondo said. “I love being here and I guarantee you guys will appreciate the older you get in life, my age, what this university means to you and your family. Embrace it, understand what it means to wear this jersey every night.”

With that comes a responsibility to put on a show for the winningest tradition and most passionate fanbase in the sport. It doesn’t mean scoring 30 points every night or shattering every record, but you have to develop an understanding that it’s bigger than you personally as an individual player.

You represent so much more when you wear Kentucky across your chest. Rondo carried that mindset with him as a do-it-all fan-favorite the rest of his career, and these Wildcats should, too.

“You’re going to get everyone’s best shot. Everybody is going to come in, from the exhibition games to the NCAA Tournament, so expect that. You play for each other and always listen to this man (Mark Pope), it’s always for the greater good of the team,” he said. “Take yourself out of the equation, no matter what. Bad game, 0-6 (shooting), it’s, ‘Let me get down on the floor, let me get this loose ball.’ Do the little things on the floor, do the intangibles. That’s what I pride myself on.

“It was my intellect, but it was also the intangibles. That’s what it takes to win, that’s what success means. It’s sacrificing for the greater good of the team and for the next person beside you.”

Now, they’re part of the family, and he’s ready to help however and whenever they need. That’s what La Familia is for.

“Anything I can ever do for you guys — Jasper (Johnson) has my number, Coach has my number, just let me know. We’re always family,” Rondo said. “I’m true blue. There’s a lot of great history in this jersey you’re wearing, and I’m sure you’re aware of that. Understand it takes every day with hard work, sacrifice, dedication and listening to each other.”

Appreciate @RajonRondo spending time with our team and sharing what it means to represent Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/FgIGQePUUa

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) September 23, 2025

Welcome home, Rajon Rondo. Stay as long as you’d like — or just find a spot on the bench, at that point. We’re still waiting for the day you’re ready to begin your coaching career at Kentucky.