Kentucky’s Big Blue Madness Never Disappoints

• Wall recreated his famous dance from his own Big Blue Madness introduction 16 years ago, joining head coach Mark Pope on stage to a roaring ovation.
• Wall later participated in the men’s dunk contest, throwing a lob to eventual champion Collin Chandler for a perfect-score slam. 

Collin Chandler Second Men’s Dunk Contest Win

The slam dunk contest featured Chandler, Braydon Hawthorne, and Mouhamed Dioubate. 

• Chandler won the event for the second year in a row.
• Chandler sealed the victory with a perfect-50 dunk off a lob from John Wall. 

Trent Noah Claims The Men’s 3-point Title

In a touching tribute to his Kentucky roots, Trent Noah won the men’s 3-point contest. 

• Noah, a native of Harlan, came out to the song “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive,” which was performed live by fellow Kentucky native and singer Jordan Smith.
• Noah defeated Andrija Jelavić in the final round with a score of 30 points to take home the crown. 

Impressive Showing From Both Teams In Scrimmages

Both the men’s and women’s teams participated in controlled scrimmages during the event. 

• Men’s Scrimmage: Standouts included Kam Williams, who hit two three-pointers, and athletic plays from Denzel Aberdeen and Jaland Lowe.
• Women’s Performance: The women’s squad showcased their skills in a skills challenge and a three-point contest.
  • The team of Amelia Hassett, Lexi Blue, Kaelyn Carroll, Teonni Key, and Tonie Morgan won the team 3-point competition.
  • Asia Boone won the first round as Hassett took the final round to win her second individual women’s 3-point contest. 

Recruiting Takes Center Stage

Big Blue Madness is a prime opportunity for Kentucky to impress top prospects. Several key recruits were in attendance, including: 

• Five-star prospects Jordan Smith Jr. and Caleb Holt from the class of 2026.
• Four-star big man Josh Irving from the class of 2026.
• In-state sophomore standout Boogie Cook also visited. 

Other Notable Moments

• Fan engagement: In a fan-friendly twist, head coach Mark Pope invited six fans to coach the Blue and White teams for the men’s scrimmage.
• Return of Tubby Smith: Former Kentucky basketball coach Tubby Smith made an appearance and received a standing ovation from the crowd.
• Kam Williams’ generosity: After a fan missed a half-court shot for a prize, Mark Pope pledged $5,000 for another attempt, and when that also missed, Kam Williams stepped in and sank a shot to win the fan the money. 

Kentucky’s 2025 Big Blue Madness celebrated the past and present of the basketball program. It was highlighted by coach Mark Pope’s tribute to UK history and the return of legend John Wall, who recreated his viral dance to a roaring ovation. The sold-out event at Rupp Arena never disappoints as a college basketball tip-off. Additionally, the festivities included an expanded “BBN United Fan Fest,” and the evening’s program showcased the team depth and a glimpse into the upcoming season.

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