Fans were treated to the news that Collin Chandler would be returning for his sophomore campaign in Lexington on Thursday, set to pick up where he left off after finding his footing to wrap up year one. It wasn’t the easiest journey, but it all started to come together for him at the right time, hopefully leading to a big-time jump his upside suggests he’s capable of in year two. Up next? Trent Noah, who shared similar news Friday afternoon by announcing he wasn’t going anywhere, making it clear he still had his eyes on the prize at Kentucky.
“Still chasing 9,” he wrote on social media.
still chasing 9 pic.twitter.com/jfiAerbcYH
— Trent Noah (@trentnoah2_) April 18, 2025
Noah averaged 2.7 points and 1.9 rebounds in 11.1 minutes per game as a freshman while shooting 45.1 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from three — his best efforts coming in regular-season matchups vs. Tennessee, posting five points and a board in Knoxville before dropping 11 points and two rebounds in the rematch in Lexington.
The physical tools are there, Mark Pope calling him a ‘special’ talent who made ‘incredible strides.’
“By the end of the season, he just felt like he belonged,” he said, adding that the goal for Noah is to add ‘a good 15 to 18 pounds’ to ‘inflict physical punishment on guys’ in year two. “… He’s going to be a tremendous player.”
With Brandon Garrison, Chandler and Noah, the Cats now have three of five players with remaining eligibility back in 2025-26. Otega Oweh is testing the draft waters, but he’s jumping on FaceTime with his Wildcat teammates to chat with the kids at the Glasgow-Barren County Boys and Girls Club (while showing off a new haircut) — no signs he has one foot out the door there. The only player left with an imminent announcement to make? Lyon County’s finest Travis Perry.
Let’s get the band back together, shall we?
Jasper Johnson drops 12 in front of John Wall at the JBC
Joining them next season in blue and white? Lexington’s own Jasper Johnson, who finally got his chance to put on a show in an all-star setting Friday night at the Jordan Brand Classic. After getting screwed over at the Nike Hoop Summit with just five minutes of playing time, the Kentucky signee got some real run at the JBC in Washington, D.C. and made the most of it.
Johnson finished with an impressive 12 points on 5-9 shooting and 2-6 from deep while adding five rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes. He had a few sick throwdowns in transition — including one off the full-court bounce at the rim — plus two feathery pull-up jumpers from deep to get in his bag.
In a game featuring the best players in high school basketball, he looked the part.
Kentucky commit Jasper Johnson was HOOPING tonight in the Jordan Brand Classic
pic.twitter.com/PX12KKiCNx
— Jasper Johnson Enthusiast (@BigBlueJas) April 19, 2025
Oh, and he did it in front of a very familiar face for BBN, John Wall pulling up to check out the future Wildcat in action.
Andrew Carr goes off at PIT
It wasn’t all about current and future Wildcats on Friday — some former players took care of business, too.
Participating in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament (PIT) in Virginia, Andrew Carr was one of the top standouts on day two of the 71st annual event, finishing with a team-high 19 points on 8-14 shooting and 3-6 from three with five rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in 23 minutes.
His team lost to Jani-King by a final score of 82-80, but Carr certainly looked the part as he begins his post-Kentucky career looking to carve out a role in the pros.
He’ll be back in action to wrap up the event on Saturday at 5 PM ET with his Portsmouth Sports Club squad set to take on Portsmouth Partnership.
PrepSpin is broadcasting the PIT games all weekend. You can watch Carr’s third and final game live here.
Bat Cats fall at No. 2 Tennessee
It was a hot start and an ugly finish for Kentucky in Knoxville on Friday, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, only to be outscored 8-0 in the final eight to fall 8-2. The loss dropped the Bat Cats to 20-15 on the year and 6-10 in league play, sitting in 12th place in the SEC.
Five UK batters notched a hit, but none recorded at least two — highlighted by a Devin Burkes two-run home run. Then the team was held to just one hit over the final 7 2/3 innings.
No time to sulk, though, as round two against the Vols takes place tonight at 6 PM ET in Knoxville. That one will be broadcast live on SEC Network+ and on radio with the UK Sports Network. Time to respond, Cats.
Tyler Childers takes over Kroger Field
It’s a big day in Lexington as Grammy-nominated musician Tyler Childers will be returning to his Old Kentucky Home to perform in front of BBN at Kroger Field on Saturday, the performance set to begin at 6:30 PM ET. He’ll be joined by special guests Wynonna Judd and S.G. Goodman.
The music will be incredible, obviously, but Childers and concert organizers are doing a pretty cool thing with it given the platform, using Kroger Field to host a flood relief drive where attendees are encouraged to donate supplies at Gate 1 and 9 from 3:30-8 PM ET with the following accepted:
- Non-perishable foods
- Paper goods (toilet paper, paper towels)
- Cleaning supplies
- Bottled water
That’s in partnership with UK Athletics and Hickman Holler Appalachian Relief Fund, Childers and Senora May establishing the fund in 2020 to bring awareness and financial support for philanthropic efforts in the Appalachian Region and other communities in their home state of Kentucky. All donations received this weekend will be directed to flood relief efforts in Kentucky.
If you see me there singing at the top of my lungs with a cold beer or two in hand, no you didn’t.
Go Cats. Keep enjoying this beautiful weekend in the Bluegrass.
The post KSR Today: Mountain Mamba, Jasper Johnson and Tyler Childers appeared first on On3.