Locked On Kentucky - Daily Podcast On Kentucky Wildcats Football & Basketball · Lance Dawe, Locked On Podcast Network

BREAKING: Mark Pope Pursuing G League Stud Dink Pate for Kentucky Wildcats, Is It the Right Move?

·26 min·2 clips
Mark Pope traveled to Philadelphia to watch 19-year-old G League standout Dink Pate, hinting at Kentucky's new recruiting direction.
1. Host Lance Dawn analyzes Kentucky basketball's potential pursuit of G League player Dink Pate. 2. The episode centers on head coach Mark Pope's recent visit to watch Pate play for the Westchester Knicks. 3. Dawn also covers updates on injured player Cam Williams and Kentucky's potential recruitment of high school prospect Caleb Holt. 4. Dink Pate is a 19-year-old, 6'8" shooting guard averaging 16.6 points and 6.9 rebounds per game in the G League. 5. Pate previously played for the G League Ignite and has a reported relationship with Kentucky assistant coaches Jason Hart and Mikal McCaine. 6. In January, Pate told KSR Plus he intends to move to college basketball and would want to go to Kentucky if they showed interest. 7. Host Lance Dawn notes Pate's shooting has improved to 38% from three-point range but highlights a concern over his nearly three turnovers per game. 8. The analysis questions whether Pate should be considered a point guard for Kentucky or used more as an off-ball scorer. 9. Cam Williams, a 6'8" shooter who broke his foot, has returned to non-contact practice and could play in the SEC Tournament. 10. Coach Mark Pope stated Williams is closer to returning than teammate Jaden Quaintance and praised his potential defensive impact. 11. An interesting claim is that pursuing Pate signals Mark Pope is actively making roster decisions, which the host views as a positive directional move. 12. The host suggests Pate's professional experience against older competition could translate to a defensive advantage in college. 13. A surprising detail is that Pate interprets Coach Pope's past comments on G League players as being "cool with it," seeing his own youth as a differentiating factor. 14. The host argues players like Trent Noah and Jasper Johnson are currently a "net negative" for Kentucky, increasing the need for Williams's return. 15. Regarding Caleb Holt, the host suggests Alabama's recent commitment from a similar wing player, Jackson Richardson, may open a door for Kentucky to recruit him. 16. Caleb Holt is described as a physically imposing, five-star prospect who plays similarly to current Wildcat Otega Oweh but with potential for more explosive finishes. 17. The tone is analytical and opinionated, blending news reporting with the host's personal evaluations of roster construction. 18. The style is conversational, directly addressing the audience with rhetorical questions and calls for feedback. 19. Kentucky Wildcats fans deeply invested in offseason roster building and transfer portal strategy would find this episode valuable. 20. Listeners seeking game analysis or play-by-play from the current season might want to skip this forward-looking roster discussion.

As heard by us

Mark Pope and Dink Pate lead the discussion, with Cam Williams and Kentucky's rotation adding real urgency.

The show keeps its focus on Mark Pope and Dink Pate, then broadens to Cam Williams, his recovery, and what that may mean for Kentucky's rotation and effort.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want Kentucky's Dink Pate update tied to the actual roster picture.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
Listen to the show on