The BBN Tonight team introduces you to the latest additions to Big Blue Nation ahead of Mark Pope's second season with Kentucky men's basketball.
This article will be updated as more segments air on our nightly show. For the latest installments, tune in weeknights at 7:30 p.m. on the official station for UK Athletics, LEX 18.
Denzel Aberdeen:
Welcome to Lexington, Denzel Aberdeen.
The former Florida Gator and reigning National Champion sits down with Sierra Newton for his first formal interview since arriving on campus. Hear about the transition out of the Swamp, what this Kentucky team is doing to build pre-season chemistry off the court, how his early interactions with BBN have gone so far, and how he discovered his hidden talent.
Mo Dioubate:
After spending two seasons in Tuscaloosa, the 6'7" forward has officially settled in on Kentucky's campus.
With a few weeks under his belt and a handful of practices already behind him, hear Dioubate's take on what he brings to the team, how Mark Pope sealed the deal during his recruitment, and which former Wildcat he shares a mentor with... and a hometown! He sits down with Maggie Davis.
Jaland Lowe:
When asked about incoming point guard Jaland Lowe, his teammates used words like "flashy," "quick," "vocal," "comfortable" and "a true point guard."
What about in his own words?
BBN Tonight anchor and LEX 18 Sports Director Keith Farmer sat down with the rising junior to hear for himself. Hear from the lefty about his lofty goals for the season (one of which would be historic at Kentucky), his high-profile Godfather, and his hilarious first impression of UK men's basketball head coach, Mark Pope.
Jayden Quaintance:
Jayden Quaintance is finally a Cat.
The one-time Kentucky commit, turned Arizona State freshman, turned Kentucky sophomore, sits down with BBN Tonight anchor Maggie Davis for his first formal interview since arriving in Lexington to play for Mark Pope.
They discuss his path to the Bluegrass, the pride he takes in his defensive skill set, if he's tired of talking about his age (did you know he's only 17?!), and what he's learning about the game while recovering from the torn ACL that sidelined him in February.
Kam Williams:
Kam Williams became the first new player to commit to the Wildcats ahead of the 2025-26 season, while most fans still had tunnel vision on the NCAA Tournament. Because of that, he's flown a bit under-the-radar ever since.
Now that he's arrived on campus and started his summer work with the Wildcats, does he feel underrated? How is the Louisiana native handling being in the Bluegrass? Will his dad become a fan favorite within Big Blue Nation? Williams sat down with BBN Tonight anchor Maggie Davis to discuss all that and more.
Braydon Hawthorne:
When Braydon Hawthorne signed with the Wildcats, he was the highest-ranked high school player remaining in the class of 2025. Now, he's one of a select-few freshmen to join Mark Pope's second-year squad in Lexington.
Keith Farmer sits down with Hawthorne for his first formal interview since arriving in the Bluegrass. Watch their conversation to hear Hawthorne's take on becoming the last piece of this year's puzzle, growing up at the program's father-son camps and finding his role this season.
Malachi Moreno:
Malachi Moreno has been signed to the Wildcats since November 2024, and now that he's officially on campus practicing under head coach Mark Pope, he's taking every opportunity he can. He's no stranger to winning - a KHSAA State Champion MVP, the 2025 Mr. Kentucky Basketball, a McDonald's All-American, and a Nike Hoop Summit selection. He plans to keep contributing in Kentucky Men's Basketball's pursuit of banner number nine.
Watch as BBN Tonight's Sierra Newton and Moreno discuss the Kentucky connections that have boosted team chemistry, how he'll fit into Pope's fast-paced pro-style offense, and how growing up in a basketball family has shaped his journey.
Reece Potter:
Reece Potter first joined our show just days after his commitment, when the Lexington native was still a bit wide-eyed regarding the opportunity he'd earned and the fan base celebrating his commitment. Now, he's returned to his hometown, gotten settled on campus and started summer practice with the team - still grateful, and more confident.
The rising junior, who spent his first two seasons with the University of Miami (Ohio), sat down with BBN Tonight anchor Maggie Davis for the latest installment of our "Meet the Cats" series.
Jasper Johnson:
Welcome to Lexington (again), Jasper Johnson. The central Kentucky native is back in the Bluegrass after spending part of his high school career in Atlanta and part of his summer in Switzerland.
The 6'4" freshman guard sits down with BBN Tonight's Keith Farmer to talk gold medals, family legacies and living a childhood dream, as part of our exclusive "Meet the Cats" series featuring Mark Pope's second team.
