John Calipari and Mark Pope react to Kentucky basketball’s 2024 NBA draft selections

cameron drummond

Thu, Jun 27, 2024, 7:08 p.m.·3 min read

Kentucky basketball coaches past and present voiced their approval for UK’s showing in the 2024 NBA draft.

The Wildcats had three players from the 2023-24 team — Reed Sheppard (No. 3 overall), Rob Dillingham (No. 8 overall) and Antonio Reeves (No. 47 overall) — selected.

And former UK coach John Calipari, along with current UK coach Mark Pope, have both posted on social media as these ex-Cats learned their NBA destinations.

Calipari attended the first round of the NBA draft on Wednesday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. While there, Calipari reunited with both Sheppard and Dillingham, who were at the draft as green room invitees.

I am so excited for these great families tonight! Can’t wait to hear Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillinghams names called tonight as they achieve lifelong dreams! pic.twitter.com/GhOLegp2pY
— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) June 27, 2024

Also while at this year’s draft, Calipari met up with the Sarr family: Oldest son Olivier played at Wake Forest and Kentucky as part of a four-year college career, and youngest son Alexandre was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 draft by the Washington Wizards.

Olivier Sarr and family ready for Alex to hear his name called tonight! I am excited for this great family. pic.twitter.com/sNxj5h197J
— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) June 27, 2024

For his part, Pope sent out a pair of congratulatory messages on social media after Sheppard and Dillingham were selected in the draft.

Congrats @reed_sheppard1! Go CATS!!
— Mark Pope (@CoachMarkPope) June 27, 2024

Congrats Rob Dillingham!! Go CATS!
— Mark Pope (@CoachMarkPope) June 27, 2024

Both Calipari and Pope posted on social media after UK’s lone second round selection in the draft when Antonio Reeves was taken Thursday.

So proud of Antonio Reeves. He has made himself an NBA player. A three level scorer who became a defender and a rebounder. Absolutely loved coaching him and seeing his growth!
— John Calipari (@CoachCalArk) June 27, 2024

Congrats @ToniooReeves! Go CATS!!
— Mark Pope (@CoachMarkPope) June 27, 2024

On Tuesday during his first media-only press conference as the Kentucky basketball coach, Pope discussed the importance of the NBA draft to the Kentucky basketball program.

“We’re super excited about the draft. We’ve got five guys eligible for this draft and there’s going to be some more history made with Kentucky basketball in the NBA draft,” Pope said. “We’re super excited for these young men and what they contributed here, what they’re going to do in the future.”

“This tradition at Kentucky of having great players come here, hang banners, then go play in the NBA is part of what makes this place so special,” Pope added.

With the three draft picks that Kentucky had in this year’s event, UK has now produced 141 players that have been selected all-time in an NBA draft.

This year marked the 24th time in Kentucky history that the Wildcats had at least three players taken in one draft.