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After eight weeks of practice,
Kentucky Basketball had a tight battle on the winners board going into the last summer practice, and he invited Kentucky fans to attend at Rupp Arena on Thursday morning.
The winners board, which tracks players’ wins across drills and scrimmages, has a tie for first between Malachi Moreno and Jerone Morton at 55 wins. Zoom Diallo and Milan Momcilovic are within striking distance with 53 and 52 wins.
The boys been talking trash about the winners' board for weeks, but tomorrow we're standing on business in Rupp. Final practice of camp is going to be an absolute dogfight! I wish you all could be there to see this…..
pic.twitter.com/BROqe5HfZC
— Mark Pope (@CoachMarkPope)
August 5, 2026
To raise the stakes and to give the players the opportunity, Mark Pope moved the final practice from the Joe Craft Center to Rupp Arena. That is something he has done consistently in his time in Lexington. Something he hasn’t done, though, is give fans a firsthand look at practice.
On Thursday morning, Pope issued an impromptu invite to practice with an Instagram Live.
“If you want to come here and it just be you, by yourself, with the team, and feel what the last day of summer workouts is, come on. Knock on the door, and I’ll let you in.”
Mark Pope just went live on Instagram and invited
#BBN to today’s practice at Rupp Arena. Starts at 10:30 a.m.
“If anybody wants to sneak in, I’ll show you where the door is”
@BBNTonightpic.twitter.com/9yr54IGilS
— Maggie Davis (@MaggieDavisTV)
August 6, 2026
According to images and reports, 250-300 Kentucky fans were able to “sneak” in and watch practice on a little more than an hour’s notice. This does provide those fans with an early opportunity to connect with the team, and hopefully a sign of more ways to connect with the team ahead of the start of the season in November.
By the end of practice, Pope was able to crown a leaderboard champion: Senior guard Jerone Morton. The Kentucky native finished with 62 wins, just ahead of Malachi Moreno’s 58. Milan Momcilovic and Zoom Diallo were tied at 54.
Your summer practice winner: Jerone Morton
pic.twitter.com/lRHdQwj5ZQ
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR)
August 6, 2026
Now, here are some more reactions and highlights from Kentucky’s final practice of the summer!
Just another example of how Mark Pope understands this program likely better than any other coach in its history.
He makes his teams accessible to the fanbase all throughout the season on many occasions.
The fans are the lifeline of it all. The fans built this.
He gets it.
— Tres Terrell (@TerrellTres)
August 6, 2026
Big Franck Kepnang sure looks like he’s feeing healthy.
pic.twitter.com/aoB1hPIzvd
— Zack Geoghegan (@ZGeogheganKSR)
August 6, 2026
Mason Williams has an insane work ethic instilled by his father and assistant coach, Mo Williams. Has put up the most shots of anyone this summer.
Just a freshman, but college-ready size. Excited to see his growth.
https://t.co/O8i1ICbBzs
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda)
August 6, 2026
ALEX WILKINS
pic.twitter.com/tEilGAKJA4
— Dylan Ballard (@DylanBallard_UK)
August 6, 2026
Not sure if it'll be a great defensive team but the length is real.
https://t.co/anmja3jmwv
— T.J. Walker (@TJWalkerRadio)
August 6, 2026
MM x2 battling down low
pic.twitter.com/MLaJ9lPgSE
— Dylan Ballard (@DylanBallard_UK)
August 6, 2026
Milan step back
pic.twitter.com/cvqtU7XMD3
— Maggie Davis (@MaggieDavisTV)
August 6, 2026
Couple of scoring possessions during fast break drills.
pic.twitter.com/nJcA3HK0f8
— Zack Geoghegan (@ZGeogheganKSR)
August 6, 2026
Braydon Hawthorne looking to back up the offseason hype with some one-on-one work down low & a jam vs. Franck Kepnang
pic.twitter.com/XoTnpiEgz4
— Maggie Davis (@MaggieDavisTV)
August 6, 2026
Brayden Hawthorne lob finish!
pic.twitter.com/kE4PpPDas5
— Lukas Witt (@Lukaswitt01)
August 6, 2026
Players and Mark Pope made sure to thank the fans after wrapping up practice.
pic.twitter.com/BnKqZGh04p
— Zack Geoghegan (@ZGeogheganKSR)
August 6, 2026
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