The Kentucky Wildcats kicked off their 2025-26 season with a 77-51 win over Nicholls on Tuesday night.
In the final minute of the Cats’ victory, head coach Mark Pope subbed a couple of senior walk-ons in Zach
Tow and Walker Horn. However, Reece Potter and Braydon Hawthorne did not log any playing time, and it sounds like both could be redshirting this season.
During Mark Pope’s pre-Valparaiso press conference on Thursday afternoon, he gave an update on Hawthorne and Potter’s status.
“Reece is committed right now to a redshirt, so we’re expecting to redshirt Reece unless something changes, which always can happen. With BH, we’re still trying to feel the waters a little bit. I’ll be cautious about him,” said Pope. “I’m not gonna burn it…we’re having conversations regularly now about how we feel about that and what’s best for him, but it’s an ongoing conversation.”
With the Wildcats having a deep rotation this season, Pope is doing what’s best for his team and players. So, unless there’s an onslaught of injuries, it sounds like both of these players will redshirt and return to what hopes to be another deep Kentucky basketball roster for the 2025-26 season.
Kentucky is back in action Friday night inside Rupp Arena against Vaploraiso. The game will be aired on SECN+ at 7 PM ET.
