Thursday night was the latest accomplishment for Mark Pope’s first team as head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats. On a team filled with veteran and experienced players, with the team being bigger than any one player, two of those players will now take their talents to the NBA.
Koby Brea was drafted 41st overall by the Phoenix Suns, and he will now join former Wildcat and four-time NBA All-Star Devin Booker. Brea will bring an elite shooting stroke and penchant for scoring to a Suns team that will need that from the perimeter after trading Kevin Durant this week.
Amari Williams was drafted 46th overall to the Boston Celtics. Going back to the northeast, where he started his college career at Drexel, Williams is now going to start his career with one of the NBA’s most storied franchises. He’ll bring a solid frontcourt presence through his rebounding and blocking shots. Williams also being able to play out on the high post will bode well for the Celtics.
Let’s look at Twitter’s reactions to Brea and Williams getting drafted to the Suns and Celtics, respectively.
Won’t hurt Kentucky’s recruiting efforts under Mark Pope — neither were sniffing the draft boards when they arrived in Lexington, now NBA picks.
Very, very good night for the program (and both awesome kids/talents). https://t.co/SQdfYTrqPt
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) June 27, 2025
Koby Brea had said previously his favorite NBA player is now Phoenix Suns teammate and fellow former Wildcat Devin Booker:
"Definitely Devin Booker. He's my favorite player, and obviously, he came from here as well, but I think we have really similar skill sets and all the…
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) June 27, 2025
Amari Williams did it all for us this season as a point-center.
He has taken an untraditional path to the NBA, coming from Nottingham, England, to setting records at Drexel before setting records as a Kentucky Wildcat.
I could not be prouder of @amxriwillixms and am looking… https://t.co/TVDnUlOpA9
— Mark Pope (@CoachMarkPope) June 27, 2025
A Sweet 16 with a brand new roster and a couple of guys who developed into second round picks. A nice bow on year one for Mark Pope. Already excited to see next year's team. He's doing a really good job.
— Derek Terry (@DerekSTerry) June 27, 2025
Koby Brea shot 47% from 3 in his last two collegiate seasons. 43% on nearly 700 attempts in his collegiate career.
Here’s nearly two minutes of him shooting in the gym. Zero misses.
This is the type of shooter the Suns just got.pic.twitter.com/U6bMoroKZq
— Suns Are Better (@SunsAreBetter) June 27, 2025
Mark Pope’s first season at Kentucky:
- Eight Top 15 wins (T-NCAA record)
- Sweet Sixteen Appearance
- Multiple NBA Draft picks
No one, even the most optimistic, seen that coming last April. Pretty impressive job.
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) June 27, 2025
I could not be more excited for @kobybrea and this opportunity. Two years ago, Koby had a really tough surgery and spent an entire summer in a wheelchair. To see him come back from that, become a Kentucky legend and now make his way to the NBA has been incredible to witness. https://t.co/MBR0s7K9Xc
— Mark Pope (@CoachMarkPope) June 27, 2025