Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope is set to hire Alfred Aboya to fill the final assistant coach position after a lengthy offseason consideration. Nick Robinson, the Director of Operations for the men's basketball team, had been serving in an interim role over the summer while the team explored other candidates.
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Aboya, who previously played for UCLA from 2005 to 2009, where he advanced to three Final Fours, brings considerable coaching experience, notably with NBA Academy Africa. His international connections could be vital for recruiting, particularly with prospects like Cherif Millogo, who is currently visiting Lexington, and another target, Lewis Uvwo.
In July, Pope indicated that there was potential for staff growth and hinted at the likelihood of making a new hire. "Most likely, yes," he stated when asked about hiring another assistant. Pope emphasized his satisfaction with the current team's performance, mentioning the significant engagement in daily discussions regarding staffing and the importance of finding the right fit for the program.
Kentucky had previously pursued Jamal Crawford for the position but decided to take their time in finding the right candidate. With Aboya on board, the coaching staff aims to enhance its recruiting efforts as they prepare for the upcoming 2026-27 season.