To Mark Pope, his roster isn’t just a collection of talent; it’s a room full of unique personalities, stories, and what he calls “competitive souls.” At media day, he offered fans a rare glimpse into how he sees his players, providing candid, heartfelt, and sometimes humorous descriptions that paint a vivid picture of the 2025-26 Wildcats.
Quick Hits and Deep Dives
When asked to describe his transfers, Pope started with quick, impactful labels:
- Jaland Lowe (JLo): “Cat quick, leader, competitor”
- Denzel Aberdeen (DA): “Winner, competitor”
But for some, a few words weren’t enough. Mo Dioubate, he explained, is far too
complex for a simple label.
“Mo is unique. Okay, I can’t do one word cause he’s got all these sides,” Pope began, getting emotional. He described Dioubate’s motivational side, his “dog side,” and his humble, devoted side. “He’s got the side where he’s going to protect his teammates at all costs no matter what happens ever, ever, ever. Like this Mo Dioubate is special.”
Kam Williams has fascinated Pope with his quiet confidence and multi-faceted game. “He’s a shooter. Shooter shooter shooter… He’s also… a 10 rebound guy in just 16 minutes of play,” Pope revealed, adding, “He’s got a capacity to be an elite level defensive player.”
Stories from the locker room (and living room)
Pope even shared a hilarious anecdote about JQ (Jaylen Quaintance), showcasing the guard’s sharp intellect off the court.
“He was at the house two nights ago, and he was beating me so bad in a game of chess that we invented a new rule where I get to turn the board one time,” Pope laughed. Even after swapping positions, the best Pope could manage was a draw. “I mean, this JQ is stories for days.”
These personal insights reveal a coach who is deeply invested in his players not just as athletes, but as people. They show a team built on more than just skill, it’s a group defined by its character, its fierce competitiveness, and the unique bonds being forged both on and off the court.
And that is not even touching on Malachi Moreno, Jasper Johnson, or even Trent Noah, who players raved about during their media day session. This team has all the makings of a special group of players that are both talented and selfless.
This year is going to be fun.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion
