Wildcat senior guard Lamont Butler dropped 18 points, six rebounds, and three assists over 33 minutes against Tennessee in the team’s Sweet Sixteen loss.
Beloved by fans, coaches, and teammates, he couldn’t hold back emotions after playing in his final collegiate game.
Head Coach Mark Pope and Lamont Butler Shared a Special Moment Following Kentucky’s Sweet Sixteen Loss
Lamont Butler started his collegiate career at San Diego State and was ecstatic when he got to play his last season for the storied Kentucky program.
“I think it was really cool we were able to set the culture for Pope’s first year. The bar is gonna be set high for the next people who come under Pope. It’s gonna be fun to watch, for sure.”
Butler believes in his coach and has high praise for the program. While he won’t be part of the future and years to come, the standard for excellence was set from day one.
When asked about Butler and the bond he shares with the player, Coach Pope expressed his vulnerability when their season ended. If you were to ask Pope to write a book on Pope, he may never be able to complete it.
The point guard and head coach are two leaders sharing a common goal and aspiration to win. The same unspoken message was clear from the sidelines or on the floor: “We’ll be talking about these guys 10 years from now.”
The end of one journey is just the start of another as Butler sees a bright future for the Kentucky program. He touched on the offseason and the use of the transfer portal, knowing the team can improve with the addition of new talent.
His words were simple, “Go to Kentucky.”
This reflects Butler’s admiration for head coach Pope, and the feeling is mutual.
I don’t know where you find people like (Butler) — He is just an incredible, incredible person and leader. He’s been playing on one leg and one arm the last two months of the season, still winning huge games and making massive plays. It’s hard to say all the things about him that need to be said.”
The postgame moment captured between the two in the tunnel speaks volumes to what Butler meant to the program, inspiring others while capturing the hearts of many.
“We get these little windows in our lives to do certain things and be with certain people and be with a special group and it’s brutal when it closes. The only thing that makes it livable is these guys gave everything. They gave everything.”
With eight top-15 wins in the regular season, the Wildcats proved they can match up with almost any team in the country. The future is bright despite a bitter end to the 2025 season.
KEEP READING: Kentucky Adds Elite Shooter Kam Williams from Tulane Via Transfer Portal
Pope and the Wildcats look to retool this offseason as they reflect and prepare for next year.
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