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Walter’s Wildcat Dispatch — September 21, 2026

YOUR DAILY SOURCE FOR KENTUCKY BASKETBALL NEWS
Walter’s
WILDCAT
DISPATCH
VOL. 1 · NO. 24
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY
SEPTEMBER 21, 2026
THE DAILY FIVE

Kentucky-Virginia SEC/ACC Challenge Set for Prime-Time ESPN

Kentucky’s Dec. 2 trip to Virginia will tip at 7:15 p.m. ET and air nationally on , the network announced Monday while unveiling the television schedule for the fourth annual /ACC Challenge. The game in Charlottesville gives ‘s Wildcats another prominent road test in a nonconference schedule already loaded with high-profile opponents.

Why it matters: Virginia went 30-6 last season, making the Cavaliers one of the more formidable assignments in this year’s Challenge.
Source: espnpressroom.com

Kentucky Keeping Close Tabs on Five-Star Erick Dampier Jr.

Kentucky remains heavily involved with five-star 2028 center Erick Dampier Jr., the son of former Mississippi State and standout Erick Dampier. The 6-foot-10 junior at Madison-Ridgeland Academy already owns a Kentucky scholarship offer and told the Lexington Herald-Leader that assistant coach has been building a relationship with him; Dampier has also won consecutive gold medals with USA Basketball at the U16 AmeriCup and U17 World Cup.

Wildcat World angle: There is a bit of Kentucky history attached to this recruitment. Dampier’s father helped Mississippi State hand Mark Pope and the 1995-96 Wildcats one of their only two losses, beating Kentucky in the SEC Tournament championship game before both teams advanced to the Final Four.
Source: fiba.basketball

Devin Booker Pays Tribute to NBA Greats at Hall of Fame Event

Former Kentucky guard joined an extraordinary collection of basketball greats at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s Jerry Colangelo Golf Classic in Phoenix. Booker said he considers himself a “sponge” around the legends who preceded him and credited previous generations with helping basketball grow into a worldwide game; the longtime Suns star also reiterated his deep attachment to Phoenix.

Wildcat World angle: Booker is preparing for his 12th NBA season, all with Phoenix, after spending his lone college season at Kentucky in 2014-15.
Source: sports.yahoo.com

Jack Givens Turns 70

Kentucky legend celebrates his 70th birthday today. Born Sept. 21, 1956, in Lexington, “Goose” became one of the defining players in Wildcat history, culminating his Kentucky career with 41 points against Duke in the 1978 championship game and earning Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors. He remains part of the program today as an analyst on the Sports Network.

Wildcat World angle: Few birthdays carry more Kentucky basketball history. Givens grew up in Lexington, became Kentucky Mr. Basketball at Bryan Station, scored 2,038 points as a Wildcat and delivered one of the greatest championship-game performances in NCAA history.
Source: wildcatworld.com

Hoops and Heels Returns Friday With Proceeds Benefiting Markey Cancer Foundation

Mark Pope and wife Lee Anne Pope will host Kentucky basketball’s third annual Hoops and Heels event Friday, Sept. 25, from 7-9 p.m. inside Historic . The event offers fans an inside look at the Wildcats through basketball activities and presentations, with proceeds once again benefiting the Markey Cancer Foundation.

Why it matters: With Big Blue Madness now less than two weeks away, Hoops and Heels marks another step toward the public unveiling of Pope’s 2026-27 Wildcats while tying the program’s preseason excitement to a Kentucky charitable cause.
Source: ukathletics.com
WILDCATWORLD.COM · EST. 1998 · KENTUCKY BASKETBALL HISTORY