Kentucky men’s basketball coach Mark Pope reacts to March Madness loss
Following a 78-65 loss to Tennessee in the 2025 NCAA men’s basketball March Madness tournament, Kentucky coach Mark Pope expressed pride for his players. “We’ll be talking about these guys 10 years from now,” Pope.
- Four-star guard Acaden Lewis has decommitted from the University of Kentucky’s 2025 basketball recruiting class.
- Lewis, who signed with UK in November, announced his decision to reopen his recruitment Thursday night.
LEXINGTON — Kentucky basketball’s 2025 recruiting class is back down to two signees.
Acaden Lewis, a four-star guard who had committed and signed with coach Mark Pope’s program in November, announced Thursday night he was reopening his commitment.
Lewis revealed his decision to Jonathan GivonyESPN’s NBA draft analyst.
“I will always be grateful to Coach Pope and the entire Kentucky staff for believing in me,” Lewis said in a statement sent to ESPN. “It is clear Kentucky is a special place with an amazing fanbase, but as I reflect on what is best for my future, I have decided to re-open my recruitment. This was an incredibly difficult decision, but after a lot of discussion with my family and people I trust, I feel this is necessary. This is not in any way a reflection of any negative feelings towards Coach Pope and Kentucky. I appreciate your understanding and am excited for what the future holds.”
With Lewis no longer in the fold, the Wildcats’ 2025 class, which had been among the top 10 nationally in 247Sports’ composite team rankings, now sits at No. 24.
This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
