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Anthony Thompson schedules visit with Kentucky Basketball; planning fall decision

2025-08-04T16:57:33-04:00

Tipton Edits

Thompson will visit Kentucky and likely make a decision not long after.

Anthony Thompson is ready to start taking official visits, and the Kentucky Wildcats will get one of them fairly soon.

According to Travis Branham of 247 Sports, Thompson has scheduled a visit to Kentucky for September 24. He’s also got planned trips to see the North Carolina Tar Heels, Ohio State Buckeyes, Indiana Hoosiers, Michigan Wolverines, and Texas Longhorns.

Branham also reports that the expectation is for Thompson to make a college decision before the early signing period. With Kentucky being his last confirmed visit, it seems like there’s a good chance the Cats will get the final visit before Thompson makes his college decision.

Thompson has previously had two unofficial visits to see Kentucky. He’s ranked fifth overall in the class of 2026 by Rivals, ninth by 247 Sports, and 14th by ESPN.

The most recent buzz is that Kentucky, along with Indiana and Ohio State, have the most traction in this recruitment.

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Hardley Gilmore discusses return to Kentucky; Bush Hamdan has high hopes for sophomore receiver

2025-08-04T16:45:10-04:00

Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

The Wildcat has had quite the offseason.

It has been quite an interesting offseason for wide receiver Hardley Gilmore with the new era of roster turnover in college football.

Hardley played last season in Lexington before transferring to Nebraska for a short time before returning to Kroger Field this summer.

At the Kentucky Wildcats’ recent media day, Gilmore opened up about spending just two weeks of spring practice with the Cornhuskers before realizing he wanted to be back in Lexington.

“Everybody here is genuine. I love being a Wildcat. I was here coming out of high school, and I came here at 16. It wasn’t just a football team to me, it was a family,” Gilmore said.

Gilmore explained his decision a bit more, citing former Kentucky wide receivers coach Daikiel Shorts as a big reason he left.

“I got recruited by Liam Coen. When I first got here as a high school recruit, he left, and Coach Shorts came in. I built a tight bond with Coach Shorts, a relationship. And when he left (for Nebraska), he asked me can I go with him? Just like a quick decision to go with him. And then when I got there, it just wasn’t for me, and I came back,” said Gilmore.

Gilmore did miss some time last season with a collarbone injury but finished the year with six catches for 153 yards and one touchdown as a true freshman.

The returning Wildcat will need to take a massive leap this season and help the receiver room after the program lost both Barion Brown and Dane Key.

Offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan seems to think the sophomore is capable of making that type of jump.

“He can really play,” Hamdan said of Gilmore at media day. “It’s going to come down to his focus level. It’s going to come down to him understanding the game extends past the field. I think the sky’s the limit for him.”

It will be interesting to see what his production looks like in 2025!

Mimi Thiero includes Kentucky in new list

2025-08-04T16:29:34-04:00

Sally Maxson/For BCT / USA TODAY NETWORK

The 6-foot-4 standout from Pennsylvania is one of the most coveted prospects in the Class of 2026.

Class of 2026 star Mimi Thiero has taken the next step in her recruitment, and the Kentucky Wildcats remain firmly in the mix.

The 6-foot-4, 4-star power forward from Leetsdale, Pennsylvania, released her top 12 schools on Monday. The list includes Kentucky along with Louisville, Memphis, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Florida, Michigan, Oregon, Clemson, North Carolina, Maryland, and Georgia Tech.

Thiero is known for her size, rebounding, shot-blocking ability, and fast-improving offensive game. Her combination of length and mobility makes her a matchup nightmare, and college coaches have taken notice as she continues to rise in the national rankings.

She also comes from a basketball family. Mimi is the younger sister of Adou Thiero, who started his college career at Kentucky before transferring to Arkansas. After an impressive season with the Razorbacks, Adou was selected in the 2025 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. His journey from Lexington to the league has only amplified interest in Mimi’s potential.

With Kentucky still in contention, the Wildcats will hope to keep the Thiero legacy alive in Lexington. For Big Blue Nation, Mimi’s recruitment will be one to watch closely as she enters a pivotal stretch of her high school career.

A commitment from Thiero would mark a major recruiting win for whichever program lands her, and Kentucky fans are hoping it’s them.

Former Wildcat Ansley Almonor signs pro deal in Finland

2025-08-04T16:18:06-04:00

Dylan Ballard - A Sea Of Blue

Ansley Almonor is officially taking his talents overseas.

The former Kentucky Wildcats forward has signed his first professional contract with Salon Vilpas, a top-tier team in Finland’s Korisliiga for the upcoming 2025–26 season.

The 6-foot-7, 231-pound forward will begin his pro career after wrapping up his lone season at Kentucky, where he averaged 5.2 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game.

Before joining the Wildcats, Almonor spent three seasons at Fairleigh Dickinson, where he played a key role in the Knights’ memorable upset of Purdue during the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Known for his size and shooting range, Almonor brings a versatile skill set to the Finnish league as he adjusts to the European game.

This summer, he briefly suited up for La Familia in The Basketball Tournament (TBT), appearing in three games and averaging 1.7 points and 2.7 rebounds.

While his pro journey begins far from Rupp Arena, Almonor now has the opportunity to grow his game and gain international experience in one of Europe’s respected basketball circuits. Salon Vilpas will look to the Kentucky product to add depth and shooting in their frontcourt rotation as they chase a Korisliiga title.

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NCAA Tournament staying at 68 teams for 2026

2025-08-04T16:02:30-04:00

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 29: Sweet 16/ Elite 8 March Madness logo shown on the floor before the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Elite 8 game between the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Florida Gators at the Chase Center on March 29, 2025 in San Francisco, California. | Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

Jon Rothstein is happy, to say the least.

The 2026 men’s and women’s NCAA Tournament will both stay at 68 teams, it was announced On Monday.

CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander wrote that “The choice to keep the tournament static for at least another year is a move guaranteed to be celebrated among sports fans, the majority of whom stand in opposition of increasing the size of March Madness. The NCAA is often prone to significant public relations hits, but in keeping the status quo with its most popular event, it should find widespread praise for as long as the tournament remains at 68 teams.”

Now, this doesn’t mean expansion won’t ever happen. The decision as to what to do in 2027 is still up in the air. Norlander reports that “The committees have thoroughly looked into the logistics, financials and frameworks of going to 72 or 76 teams. At this stage, sources said, the long-term decision is going to ultimately come down to whether to remain at 68 or move to 76; increasing to 72, while not officially off the table, isn’t seen as a worthwhile endeavor and is regarded as a long shot third option.”

In addition, going to 76 teams would bring changes to the NCAA Tournament itself and the selection process. The bubble would be expanded to include teams that may not have the most inspiring resumes.

Regardless, this conversation doesn’t seem to be over any time soon.

NCAA SVP Dan Gavitt on future expansion of the NCAA tournament. pic.twitter.com/LMNhaSWM3j
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) August 4, 2025

De’Aaron Fox inks $229 million extension with Spurs

2025-08-04T15:44:24-04:00

Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images

Another mammoth payday for a former Cat.

The San Antonio Spurs have an extremely bright future ahead thanks to having rising superstar Victor Wembanyama.

They also have former Kentucky Wildcats standout and All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox, who was acquired in a midseason trade back in February.

Now, the Spurs have ensured Fox and Wemby will be a formidable duo for the foreseeable future.

According to Shams Charania, Fox and the Spurs have agreed to a four-year extension worth $229 million. It puts him under contract through the 2029-30 season.

The 27-year-old Fox averaged 19.7 points and 6.8 assists per game in 17 contests with the Spurs last season after being traded from the Sacramento Kings. Back in December while still a member of the Kings, Fox scored a career-best 60 points in an overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Unfortunately, Fox had season-ending surgery on March 18 to repair tendon damage in his left pinkie but is expected to be ready for next season.

Here’s to hoping we see plenty of Fox and Wemby together next season after they had just five games together last season.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more Kentucky Wildcats news. Go CATS!!!

The first top 25 poll of the 2025 college football season is out

2025-08-04T12:29:19-04:00

Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images

The SEC takes home the No. 1 ranking and four of the top 10 spots.

The first official poll of the 2025 college football season is out, as the Coaches Top 25 Poll was just released.

Taking home the top spot are the Texas Longhorns, followed by defending national champion Ohio State.

Georgia, Alabama, LSU, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas A&M were among the other SEC teams to crack the top 25.

For the Kentucky Wildcats, they’ll have six games vs. top-25 teams this season, and that’s not even including teams like Louisville and Auburn that could make the top 25 eventually this season.

College Football Coaches Poll

1. Texas Longhorns

2. Ohio State Buckeyes

3. Penn State Nittany Lions

4. Georgia Bulldogs

5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

6. Clemson Tigers

7. Oregon Ducks

8. Alabama Crimson Tide

9. LSU Tigers

10. Miami Hurricanes

11. Arizona State Sun Devils

12. Illinois Fighting Illini

13. South Carolina Gamecocks

14. Michigan Wolverines

15. Ole Miss Rebels

16. SMU Mustangs

17. Florida Gators

18. Tennessee Volunteers

19. Indiana Hoosiers

20. Kansas State Wildcats

T21. Texas A&M Aggies

T21. Iowa State Cyclones

23. BYU Cougars

24. Texas Tech Red Raiders

25. Boise State Broncos

Others receiving votes: Oklahoma (6-7) 221; Missouri (10-3) 142; Louisville (9-4) 126; Southern California (7-6) 116; Utah (5-7) 86; Baylor (8-5) 76; Auburn (5-7) 50; Iowa (8-5) 49; Memphis (11-2) 34; Army (12-2) 33; Tulane (9-5) 31; Georgia Tech (7-6) 27; TCU (9-4) 24; Nebraska (7-6) 19; Syracuse (10-3) 16; Washington (6-7) 15; Navy (10-3) 14; Arkansas (7-6) 14; Duke (9-4) 12; Colorado (9-4) 12; Minnesota (8-5) 11; UNLV (11-3) 8; Florida State (2-10) 8; Kansas (5-7) 6; Vanderbilt (7-6) 3; Buffalo (9-4) 1.

College Sports Commission reverses ruling allowing collectives to directly pay athletes

2025-08-04T12:00:00-04:00

Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

There are limitations.

This summer, revenue sharing has entered college athletics and has opened a whole new area for athletic departments to navigate. One question that has come with the rev share is: What happens to collectives?

Earlier in July, the College Sports Commission sent out a memo basically stopping NIL collectives from directly paying athletes for their deals, and they would not be treated as valid businesses.

Well, not according to a report by Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports that has now once again changed the rules.

“In a revised memo sent to schools on Thursday, the College Sports Commission announced that booster-backed NIL collectives can, in fact, directly compensate athletes if the transactions meet certain “valid business purpose” benchmarks,” writes Dellenger.

There is still plenty of gray area when it comes to NIL in college athletics, and this only continues that. But at least it helps start to give schools and athletic departments some guidance on what might and might not be allowed from the collectives as a whole.

Going to be interesting to watch as now we also navigate the rev-share waters.