Aaron torres "multiple sources think kentucky may be on top for nate ament " but

[silentsaregolden2.0]

As much as I thought their recruiting would dip after Krybabyshitski retired, it hasn't. It appears they are going to continue to get the top class every year, or pretty near that. Pope was at BYU, which isn't exactly the easiest place to recruit to, so I would imagine Pope doesn't have close ties to any of the junior class. Maybe I am wrong.

But if he struggles to recruit to UK, that's going to be a problem. He did as well as could be expected with the portal given the circumstances, but we didn't get any of the major guys, unless you count Brea, and while his shooting is really good for the most part, he hasn't established himself as much else IMO.

I've been as big on Pope as anyone, but he does have to prove he can recruit at least some of the top players. We have a good class so far, but we need bigs bad. I hope Garrison stays and keeps getting better, but I don't know if I see him as a force to be reckoned with down the road. Who knows though.

 

[Stretch98]

I care because of what we just watched when we played Texas. Tre Johnson, a freshman, put 32pts on our heads and led his team to the win. Just one example of why you and I should both care about landing top 5 recruits! For the most part I think that recruiting high schoolers isn’t that big of a deal but when we are recruiting top 5 caliber guys like this guy, it matters a lot!

Johnson scored 9 of the 32 at the free throw line. It took him a whopping 26 shots to get the other 23. Not sure that is worthy of the "on our heads" taunt. In any event, UK had that game won but with no experienced floor general they blew it at the end. With Lamont Butler, they win it going away and Tre Johnson is likely the next in a long line of ballyhooed burger boys who fail to make the NCAA tournament in their single college season.

 

[Cleatortoises]

The next time I’m worried about U of L basketball will be the first

This.
Carry on.

 

[chasingwildcat]

Johnson scored 9 of the 32 at the free throw line. It took him a whopping 26 shots to get the other 23. Not sure that is worthy of the "on our heads" taunt. In any event, UK had that game won but with no experienced floor general they blew it at the end. With Lamont Butler, they win it going away and Tre Johnson is likely the next in a long line of ballyhooed burger boys who fail to make the NCAA tournament in their single college season.

No need to knock Tre Johnson—it’s pointless. If he had passed up those shots to his Texas teammates, they probably would've lost already. In other words, Johnson had to take a lot of tough, star-player shots and absorb a ton of possessions just to keep them in it. If those shots went to his teammates instead, Texas might’ve ended up scoring 10 fewer points. His talent is undeniable. Put him in a better system—like under Pope—and with better teammates, he could be an efficient scorer while also handling those tough shots that other guys on UK wouldn’t even be able to create.

I would be very happy to have this level of freshman in our roster.

 

[chasingwildcat]

As much as I thought their recruiting would dip after Krybabyshitski retired, it hasn't. It appears they are going to continue to get the top class every year, or pretty near that. Pope was at BYU, which isn't exactly the easiest place to recruit to, so I would imagine Pope doesn't have close ties to any of the junior class. Maybe I am wrong.

But if he struggles to recruit to UK, that's going to be a problem. He did as well as could be expected with the portal given the circumstances, but we didn't get any of the major guys, unless you count Brea, and while his shooting is really good for the most part, he hasn't established himself as much else IMO.

I've been as big on Pope as anyone, but he does have to prove he can recruit at least some of the top players. We have a good class so far, but we need bigs bad. I hope Robinson stays and keeps getting better, but I don't know if I see him as a force to be reckoned with down the road. Who knows though.

Who is Robinson? You mean Garrison?

 

[jeffky]

Kentucky Can’t Afford 5-Star Nate Ament Yet as ACC Giant Leads the Bidding War by a Mile

Explore the intense race for 5-star recruit Nate Ament as Kentucky trails to ACC giant, with big bidding gap.

www.essentiallysports.com

Louisville 1st by alot so far
Kentucky 2nd
Duke 3rd
3 horse race and down the stretch they come

 

[Fox2monk]

I’m sorry but an article written by this guy

ByPritish Ganguly
Modified Feb 22, 2025 | 4:59 AM EST

I am not exactly sold especially since I have never heard of that site before. He’s also basing this on that fan stake site. That has to be the last piece of information a recruit would decide on considering his NIL deal will be 100x more than that pledge of:

While writing, Louisville is setting the pace with a whopping $36,515 bid, while Kentucky trails far behind at $21,220. The gap between these two is substantial, but it’s even wider when you look at the rest of the field. Duke, sitting in third place, has only managed a $5,315 bid, showing just how dominant Louisville’s position is.

 

[uk78]

I said it before and will say it again that any top player that would choose UL over Kentucky would be an idiot no matter the money.

 

[TM2013]

I’m sorry but an article written by this guy

ByPritish Ganguly
Modified Feb 22, 2025 | 4:59 AM EST

I am not exactly sold especially since I have never heard of that site before. He’s also basing this on that fan stake site. That has to be the last piece of information a recruit would decide on considering his NIL deal will be 100x more than that pledge of:

While writing, Louisville is setting the pace with a whopping $36,515 bid, while Kentucky trails far behind at $21,220. The gap between these two is substantial, but it’s even wider when you look at the rest of the field. Duke, sitting in third place, has only managed a $5,315 bid, showing just how dominant Louisville’s position is.

😂 that 15k is insurmountable lol

 

[jeffky]

😂 that 15k is insurmountable lol

My thoughts exactly

 

[UK90]

It may sound like old fogie thinking, but I like following recruiting news a whole lot less now that it centers around our status in the “bidding war.”

And getting 5 star recruits just no longer seems that important. Honestly, with the way this new world works, I think I might prefer giving that spot to an experienced vet from the transfer portal over some 18-year-old who will likely be gone long before he ever reaches his anticipated “potential.”

 

[jeffky]

It may sound like old fogie thinking, but I like following recruiting news a whole lot less now that it centers around our status in the “bidding war.”

And getting 5 star recruits just no longer seems that important. Honestly, with the way this new world works, I think I might prefer giving that spot to an experienced vet from the transfer portal over some 18-year-old who will likely be gone long before he ever reaches his anticipated “potential.”

My guess you will need money to do that now too

 

[UK90]

My guess you will need money to do that now too

Of course, but at least you’re paying for a semi finished product. If you gotta pay, I think I’d rather it be for that than a zit faced kid who’ll probably be long gone before he ever gets there.

You can more reliably know what you’re buying with a 21-year-old than you can with a high school kid.

 

[m080470]

From looking at the article, I'm assuming it's written by someone who doesn't understand NIL or more likely with their silly-@$$ name, it's written to promote "Fanstake". If NIL were a potluck meal, Fanstake is the equivalent of someone who offers to bring paper napkins. Louisville fans are offering to bring more paper napkins than anyone else.

 

[CGblue]

"ACC giant", "ACC powerhouse Louisville".. How many ACC championships do they have now?

 

[trueblujr2]

Not taking too much credence in those numbers. They seem like they’re missing a zero or something.

That being said, how the hell is it that in the long existence of the University of Kentucky, that we don’t have more big money alum/boosters to compete with Louisville, much less the rest of the SEC. Don’t give me a line about the city size because by population Lexington is one of the largest in the SEC. Before Texas and OK came along we were second behind only Nashville. We have big horse money, big bourbon money, but for some reason we are lagging. Is it a problem with the fundraising? This isn’t just about basketball, it’s football too. UofL has just managed to have more big money Donors. How is that?

 

[rolaid]

Doesn’t Rutgers have two of the top five players in nation on their team right now? Are they even going to the tournament please Coach Mark Pope don’t spend all your money on freshman. It’s a waste of time.

 

[stenchymouse]

UofL is going to be really good going forward and so is Kentucky.

Why worry?

I'd like to get Ament, but honestly, going forward, I don't want more than 3 freshmen per season.

 

[jeffky]

Not taking too much credence in those numbers. They seem like they’re missing a zero or something.

That being said, how the hell is it that in the long existence of the University of Kentucky, that we don’t have more big money alum/boosters to compete with Louisville, much less the rest of the SEC. Don’t give me a line about the city size because by population Lexington is one of the largest in the SEC. Before Texas and OK came along we were second behind only Nashville. We have big horse money, big bourbon money, but for some reason we are lagging. Is it a problem with the fundraising? This isn’t just about basketball, it’s football too. UofL has just managed to have more big money Donors. How is that?

I don't care to give 25 dollars a year to help us with nil money I like the direction our basketball program is headed now . Stoops and that asinine ran football program a different story . The reason I want give it to UK athletic department .

 

[Smashcat]

I’m sorry but an article written by this guy

ByPritish Ganguly
Modified Feb 22, 2025 | 4:59 AM EST

I am not exactly sold especially since I have never heard of that site before. He’s also basing this on that fan stake site. That has to be the last piece of information a recruit would decide on considering his NIL deal will be 100x more than that pledge of:

While writing, Louisville is setting the pace with a whopping $36,515 bid, while Kentucky trails far behind at $21,220. The gap between these two is substantial, but it’s even wider when you look at the rest of the field. Duke, sitting in third place, has only managed a $5,315 bid, showing just how dominant Louisville’s position is.

Idiot
.

 

[Patrickwhelan]

Caleb Wilson took $4m plus the money to cover any taxes to go to UNC. Zakiyah Johnson from Sacred Heart Academy took $300,000 to go play for the LSU women’s team. What is this guy talking about?

 

[jace2012]

My guess you will need money to do that now too

Exactly! The transfers on this years roster didn’t come to UK for free. UK had to out bid teams to get them except Brea. Brea played the end game too long and UConn got a commitment from another player as did Duke.

 

[Stretch98]

Most stupid commentary ever. The $35K "bid" this fool cites in favor of UL is pocket change for a prospect of Ament's stature nowadays. The actual basketball programs of the schools who are the players in Ament's recruitment is where the real money is and all we may ever know about that are rumors.

 

[Cats192]

Kentucky Can’t Afford 5-Star Nate Ament Yet as ACC Giant Leads the Bidding War by a Mile

Explore the intense race for 5-star recruit Nate Ament as Kentucky trails to ACC giant, with big bidding gap.

www.essentiallysports.com

Louisville 1st by alot so far
Kentucky 2nd
Duke 3rd
3 horse race and down the stretch they come

Well if EssentiallySports.com says it

The leading bud for this guy is 36K? Kentucky can’t come up with more than 21K? All Duke could come up with is 5K?

Makes zero sense. It’s one thing to say we’re getting outbid when guys are asking for 2 million. I’m betting most of our players make at least 100K.

 

[catfan220]

Kentucky Can’t Afford 5-Star Nate Ament Yet as ACC Giant Leads the Bidding War by a Mile

Explore the intense race for 5-star recruit Nate Ament as Kentucky trails to ACC giant, with big bidding gap.

www.essentiallysports.com

Louisville 1st by alot so far
Kentucky 2nd
Duke 3rd
3 horse race and down the stretch they come

Yeah this article is obviously low quality clickbait, not worth posting or discussing

 

[TFCats11]

If Ament is asking/ getting more than $100,000, he’s WAY over valued!

Almost no freshman is worth wasting more money than that! You can get proven, grown ass men now, no need for over inflated skinny freshman 😂

 

[silentsaregolden2.0]

Who is Robinson? You mean Garrison?

Yes, I do that all the time. Not sure why.

 

[Rockfly78]

Who freaking cares? The kid could be a bust just as easily as making any meaningful impact at all. Some of y'all are still living a decade ago. Recruiting is a two front battle now. Give me the proven guys and let's roll.

I get what you’re saying. But I can tell you who cares……Pope. Do we trust him or not? What you’re saying sounds like pre-spin.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

I don’t think Kentucky fans should or would worry about Louisville or Indiana…at least in my mind. Either of those schools being good would only invigorate our own NIL funding and fan support. Neither of those schools have a single advantage over Kentucky that I can think of. I never have, and never will, fear a school that has national championships that can be counted on one hand and I never will fear a school who squirted their way to one of their titles having a (*) next to it.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

This board is hysterical. Just like all the UL fans talking smack over their run through a watered down ACC. Somehow forgetting that we already beat them this year (and every other year, basically).

Both teams started from pretty much the same place this summer. We’ve had a better season. But they have something to crow about?

Not a bit shocked. Lived among these morons for long enough to see everything. Any actual UK fan letting it bother them…is probably not an actual UK fan.

I have two friends that are die hard UL fans. Both graduated from UK, so that is just weird as hell in the first place. I don’t even understand that, but whatever. Towards the end of the Texas game they both texted me “Hook ‘em Horns!” It was so stupid man. I replied to both with a screen shot of the score for game we beat them. They didn’t respond. How can these guys even survive in the world?

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Gentlemen, fret not. When I win the mega millions I pledge to devote at least 10 million a year to our NIL. In exchange, Lexington can rename any of the major thoroughfares after me. "Son of Saul boulevard" has a nice ring to it.

 

[G-PIP]

My guess you will need money to do that now too

And I think the portal is going to quickly escalate even more. It's become obvious that the portal is generally where the real value is at, and even coaches that have been at the apex of the CBB world for quite a while, and thus pretty entrenched in recruiting from high school, understand that now. I'm guessing the OAD freshmen will continue to be paid big $$$ because human nature is to do things as they have always been done and coaches that can land those highest ranked high schoolers still command big $$$ themselves - perception over team production. So, maybe the multi-year high school kids are the new inefficiency (a' la Moneyball). Teams that can identify (big issue), develop and retain those future CBB All-American/ All-Conference and key contributors therefore gain an advantage because they'll have fewer holes to fill annually and thus can concentrate their NIL dollars.

 

[catsfanbgky]

Time to worry about what? Getting someone like Amari Williams or Johni Broome instead?

Oh, my knees are shaking at the sheer thought of that!🤣

IF we get someone as good as Broome then I agree, but until then, give me the bird in the hand. Then get the bird in the bush afterwards. Odd though, the 2 players you mentioned do not even play the same position as Ament. You named 2 centers, so,,, Give me Ament and then a center from the portal, best of BOTH worlds.

 

[catsfanbgky]

UL is certainly better than under Payne (couldn't be much worse), but they've beaten 2 teams that would be in the tourney as of today and one of them, WVU is last 4 in. Not sure they should even be a 7 seed.

While I agree they do not have the greatest resume, they have beaten :
Clemson by 10
@ Indiana by 28
@ Pitt
@ 20-3 SMU by 25
19-7 Wake Forest by 13
WVU
I think SMU and Wake forest get in. All they can do is beat the teams on their schedule, and for the most part, they have, and some soundly.

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

Gentlemen, fret not. When I win the mega millions I pledge to devote at least 10 million a year to our NIL. In exchange, Lexington can rename any of the major thoroughfares after me. "Son of Saul boulevard" has a nice ring to it.

You should name it after one of your children. What about Son of Son of Saul Blvd?

 

[catsfanbgky]

We already have one to two freshmen set to start next season, if Ament comes he’s probably assuming he starts. I don’t know about that. Can you get a more known commodity at his position for the same or less in the portal? If he comes, great, if not, I won’t be torn up about it.

You do not know that, you have no clue who we may sign in the portal or who coming back takes a big leap next year (Garrison / Noah).JJ is NOT starting over Oweh, nor Moreno over Garrison.

 

[OliverSimmonstwinbrother]

Louisville was in the same position as us in late March, crazy to think about it. In that time they have have a better record, potential COTY and a better recruiting class. Does Louisville really have that much more NIL than us or was Kelsey just a crazy good hire?

 

[sk73]

I read on one of the Facebook UK groups that we have made an offer of 3.2 million dollars for Ament. Does anyone know if this is close to being accurate?

 

[SemperFiCat]

I get what you’re saying. But I can tell you who cares……Pope. Do we trust him or not? What you’re saying sounds like pre-spin.

Yeah, you're right. I trust Pope. Buuut, I still stand by my point that some people are stuck in an old mindset that landing star freshmen is how you build a high caliber team.

I don't think Pitino walks on water, but he is one of the best basketball minds of modern basketball. When you look at the teams that have been elite the last couple years + what Rick said, I like the portal more than I like the recruiting trail.

In my opinion, this situation would be different if we were talking Flagg or that caliber player. But we don't see those often.

 

[TM2013]

I read on one of the Facebook UK groups that we have made an offer of 3.2 million dollars for Ament. Does anyone know if this is close to being accurate?

That seems ridiculously high imo. Spend that on portal guys.