Highlights from Big Blue Madness 2026

Karl-Anthony Towns, a former player and recent NBA Champion with the New York Knicks, made a special guest appearance, creating a memorable moment. Coach Mark Pope introduced Towns after unveiling a #12 jersey, which thrilled the audience.

In the 3-point shooting contest, Alex Wilkins surprised many by winning against competitors like Ousmane N’Diaye and Mason Williams. While Wilkins showcased impressive shooting during his previous season at Furman, expectations for his shooting prowess at Kentucky were less pronounced.

Health updates were promising as nearly every player participated, including Kam Williams and Trent Noah, despite some offseason injuries. Jerone Morton was an exception due to a knee injury, but overall, the participation rate was encouraging as the regular season approaches.

This year, Kentucky attracted only a small number of recruits to Big Blue Madness, with just three in attendance. Among them was committed 6-6 wing Ryan Hampton and DJ Okoth, also a 6-6 wing from Tennessee. The standout recruit was 6-10 forward CJ Rosser, ranked as the top player in the 2027 class, who is being pursued by Kentucky amid competition from UNC and Arkansas.

Kenny Brooks, head coach of the women's team, showcased confidence in building off last year's successes, wearing the Power K hoodie and emphasizing defeating Louisville. He suggested that his current team might surpass last season’s record for 3-pointers.

Clara Strack, a 6'5 senior coming off a strong season, is already generating buzz, with UK Athletics launching an awards campaign for her. Expectations are high, as she could contend for SEC and National Player of the Year if her performance matches the anticipation.

Additionally, the trio of freshmen on the UK women’s team—Savvy Swords, Emily McDonald, and Maddyn Greenway—appear poised to contribute significantly this season.

The men's team will begin exhibition play in two weeks against Little Rock, while the women's team is set to open their season on November 2 against Morehead State. While this year’s Big Blue Madness was somewhat subdued, the new athletics director has an opportunity to revamp the event for future seasons.