KSR's Nike EYBL Live Blog (Day Three): Who is Mark Pope Watching?
This one will be abbreviated, admittedly, but it’s crucial. Why? Because we have movement! Mark Pope is NOT in Memphis watching Nike EYBL Session II. Instead, he’s been replaced by another assistant coach, while there have been some other shakeups and moves elsewhere.
It’s the final day of the live period, and after two days with everyone holding their positions at EYBL and Adidas 3SSB in Indiana, new eyes are being placed on Kentucky’s top targets. The catch? There are only morning and (very) early afternoon game sets, so things will be over by lunchtime and the hundreds of coaches in attendance will head home very soon. In fact, judging by how quickly the parking lot cleared out, many of them are already gone.
That’s not the case for the Wildcats, though. We’ll hit on a few notes this morning and keep ’em coming before we hit the road ourselves in a couple of hours.
One final game set for the Cats
05/17/2026 12:41:56 PMWe’re down to the final game set here in Memphis, and it’s a good one with CJ Rosser with Team United, DeMarcus Henry with Vegas Elite, Ryan Hampton with LivOn, Jason Gardner of Oakland Soldiers, Lewis Uvwo of Nightrydas and Paul Osaruyi of Arizona Unity among the biggest names taking the floor at 12:30 p.m. CT.
McLean and Williams will have their hands full bouncing back and forth between courts to wrap up the event.
Another set of eyes on Beckham Black
05/17/2026 12:38:55 PMKentucky has spent the entire weekend watching 2027 five-star guard Beckham Black, at least one but as many as three coaches checking out the all-around standout. He’s ranked No. 6 overall, but will be in the conversation for top three — and maybe even No. 1, depending on how some of the others pan out.
Mikhail McLean was in attendance for that one, and once again, he continued to do what he does best.
One last stop in Tulsa for Puma PRO16
05/17/2026 11:28:24 AMNike and Adidas were covered on days one and two, and now, we have appearances with both UAA and Puma.
For the latter, it’s five-star Reese Alston and four-star Dawson Battie out in Tulsa. Mark Fox is representing the Wildcats to make sure the program had eyes on every major shoe circuit this weekend.
Our final tally for coaches on the road:
- Mark Pope – EYBL
- Mo Williams – EYBL
- Cody Fueger – EYBL
- Mikhail McLean – 3SSB and EYBL
- Mark Fox – Puma PRO16
- Nick Robinson – UAA
Local standouts getting Kentucky love — and a big-time five-star
05/17/2026 11:18:51 AMKentucky has been all over Marcus Spears Jr. throughout the weekend — to be expected for the No. 3 player in the country.
The Wildcats are also juggling some local standouts in Louisville’s Josh Lindsay and Cincinnati’s Kam Mercer, along with another four-star guard in Anderson Diaz.
It’s been a busy morning for Williams and McLean in Memphis.
Nick Robinson is watching UAA Session II
05/17/2026 09:39:20 AMHow about a curveball on Sunday morning? Kentucky Director of Basketball Operations Nick Robinson has a coach packet in hand and is taking notes at Spooky Nook for UAA Session II — the Under Armour circuit.
KSR’s Brandon Ramsey is in attendance and says the UK staffer is watching Arizona Select and Grand Rapids Storm to start the day.
That group of talent isn’t known for being big-name superstars quite yet, but there are absolutely hidden gems to find everywhere, and the Wildcats are clearly leaving no stone unturned.
Mikhail McLean arrives in Memphis
05/17/2026 09:35:56 AMMo Williams is back on the EYBL sidelines, but he’s joined by fellow UK assistant Mikhail McLean, who is coming over from spending the first two days at 3SSB.
They were there for Chase Lumpkin’s game to start the morning at 8 AM CT for JET Academy. He’s one of the Wildcats’ newest offers and interest is ramping up in a hurry.
Another one to watch in that game? Cayden Daughtry of the Florida Rebels, who continues to put on a show every time he steps on the floor. He doesn’t hold an offer from UK yet, but he could get one soon, as Kentucky saw him throughout the weekend in Memphis and he put on a show just about every time, no performance better than his 37-point effort on Friday.
Discuss This Article
Comments have moved.
Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.
KSBoard