Sights and Scenes from the Kentucky Basketball Father-Son Camp

What is this camper saying to Kentucky SG Otega Oweh? (UK Athletics)

The Joe Craft Center was packed on Saturday as Fathers and Sons from around Big Blue Nation gathered for the first Kentucky basketball camp of the summer.

It was BBN’s first opportunity to see Mark Pope‘s second team in person. Not only did they get to participate in drills and get coached up by the players, one lucky camper won free court-side seats to a game next year. Mark Pope made it happen by channeling his inner-Willy Wonka.

One lucky camper found the Golden Ticket for free courtside seats to a game next season in @Rupp_Arena next to Mrs. Lee Ann Pope. pic.twitter.com/1vUr3Qp3wT
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) June 7, 2025

Jack Pilgrim was in the building for KSR. He caught a few candid moments between the players and campers.

Mo and OO having fun with the campers pic.twitter.com/XUGKntaOu1
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) June 7, 2025

The kids love Jasper Johnson — with plenty of questions about recruiting Tay Kinney to Kentucky pic.twitter.com/4LUEFXa9aq
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) June 7, 2025

Coach Pope has arrived and he’s having a good time pic.twitter.com/GfbAVIDM9L
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) June 7, 2025

Playing basketball was just one part of the camp. The Fathers and Sons also got to tour the Kentucky basketball facilities and get autographs from all of the players.

Get the Daily On3 Newsletter in your inbox every morning

By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.

This brings me to my favorite story that came from yesterday’s camp. One youngster got a little overwhelmed by the experience. Who can blame him? There are a lot of people in that noisy gym. Even though he had to leave early, Collin Chandler spent some one-on-one time with him and Nick Robinson, the director of basketball operations, made sure the camper left with every player’s autograph.

💙 A special thank you to @robinson21_nick at the KY Father/Son camp. My nephew got overwhelmed and left early. Nick made sure he got everyone's autograph (even drove him to see @CoachMarkPope) and got some 1-on-1 time with @collinchand13r before he left. @KentuckyMBB #BBN pic.twitter.com/v3TLOi0imu
— Ashley (@paperheart) June 7, 2025

If you missed your chance to see the Kentucky basketball team at this weekend’s camps, don’t you fret. There are more opportunities later this summer. The team is hitting the road for two satellite camps. The Cats will be in Laurel County on June 20 and the following day in Russell County. Registration is open now for boys and girls 7-17.