Reece Potter has had his share of basketball rivalries, but none compare to the historic and emotionally charged feud between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Louisville Cardinals. Now wearing blue and white, the seven-foot transfer is preparing for what will be the most anticipated game of his college career. And while he’s only recently joined John Calipari’s program, Potter already understands the gravity of this matchup.
“You feel it the second you get on campus,” Potter said during a media session at the Joe Craft Center. “It’s different. Fans bring it up all the time. It’s not just another game. It’s personal.”
Potter, who transferred to Kentucky after a year of development elsewhere, brings size, versatility, and a growing skillset to a Wildcats squad hungry to regain its dominance not just in the SEC, but nationally. The rivalry game against Louisville, always a headliner regardless of records, will serve as a litmus test for both his progression and how well this new-look Kentucky team has gelled.
Though still young, Potter has been around the game long enough to understand the nuances that make rivalry games unique. Having grown up in the Midwest, he was no stranger to intense basketball environments, but the atmosphere he expects inside Rupp Arena—or even at the KFC Yum! Center if the game is on the road—will be something entirely new.
“I’ve watched Kentucky vs. Louisville on TV growing up. I remember watching Tyler Ulis yelling in guys’ faces, De’Aaron Fox going at it with Donovan Mitchell, stuff like that,” Potter said. “To now be a part of that story—it’s kind of surreal.”
Potter wasn’t heavily involved in those matchups during his previous stop, but he brings a fresh sense of purpose and poise to the Wildcats’ frontcourt. In practice, he’s working closely with assistant coaches to fine-tune his footwork, rebounding mechanics, and defensive rotations. He knows that in a game as intense and high-stakes as Kentucky-Louisville, every little detail matters.
“You can’t just rely on talent in these games,” he noted. “It’s about toughness, execution, and who wants it more. Louisville’s going to bring that edge, and we have to match it and then some.”
His early days in Lexington have been a whirlwind—adjusting to a new playbook, getting familiar with new teammates, and navigating the demands of a fan base that expects nothing short of excellence. Still, Potter embraces the challenge. He speaks with the maturity of someone who understands what it means to play for Kentucky, and he’s determined to make his mark.
“The culture here is different,” he said. “Every rep matters, every lift, every drill. You don’t have time to waste.”
While his individual development is important, Potter remains team-first in both mindset and demeanor. When asked about how he plans to approach the matchup against Louisville, he was quick to deflect attention away from his own role and instead highlight the need for unity and communication.
“This is one of those games where you don’t want to try to do too much,” he said. “Just do your job, trust your teammates, and stay locked in. That’s how you win rivalry games.”
Potter knows Louisville will come out swinging. The Cardinals have talent, pride, and plenty of motivation to knock off their in-state rival. Even if Kentucky is the higher-ranked team, none of that matters when the ball is tipped.
“It’s about pride,” he said. “They’re gonna play hard, and we’ve gotta respond. We can’t let them outwork us, not for one second.”
One of the things that has stood out to Potter in preparation for this game is how much his teammates care about beating Louisville. Veterans in the locker room have shared stories about past games—both wins and losses—and those tales have resonated deeply with the younger players.
“They’ll say, ‘You don’t want to be on the team that lost to Louisville,’” Potter recalled. “It sticks with you. You carry that.”
As the matchup draws closer, the practices become more intense. The film sessions are longer. The focus sharpens. For Potter, it’s all part of the process—one he embraces with open arms.
“This is why you come to Kentucky,” he said. “For games like this, for moments like this.”
Off the court, Potter has taken time to connect with fans, signing autographs after practice, posing for pictures, and answering questions with patience and humility. He knows the passion in Lexington runs deep, and he wants to honor that passion every time he puts on the jersey.
“It’s more than just basketball here,” he said. “It’s a way of life. And you feel that responsibility the minute you commit.”
Even during the quieter moments, Potter is thinking about the Louisville game. Watching old highlights on YouTube. Asking coaches about past scouting reports. Visualizing where he’ll need to be when the ball is in play. For him, the preparation is both mental and physical.
“I picture the crowd, the noise, the energy,” he said. “I try to imagine how it’ll feel when I hit my first shot or get that first block. I want to be ready for that moment.”
And while he’s focused on the game itself, Potter is also aware of the broader implications. A strong showing against Louisville could be a turning point—not just for him, but for a Kentucky team still figuring out its identity.
“We’re building something here,” he said. “Game by game, practice by practice. This game is a chance to take a big step.”
His coaches have praised his work ethic, calling him a sponge who soaks up instruction and applies it quickly. Teammates say he brings a calm intensity, a grounded presence that complements the team’s more vocal leaders.
“Reece doesn’t always say a lot, but when he does, people listen,” one teammate noted. “He leads by example.”
Potter isn’t looking to dominate headlines or put up gaudy stats. He just wants to win—and if that means diving for loose balls, setting hard screens, or boxing out on every possession, he’s more than willing.
“You do what it takes,” he said. “That’s the Kentucky way.”
As game day approaches, the anticipation builds. Campus buzzes with excitement. Students line up for tickets. Social media fills with highlight reels and bold predictions. And amid it all, Reece Potter stays grounded.
“I’ll be nervous, for sure,” he admitted. “But it’s good nerves. It means it matters.”
He’s been preparing his whole life for opportunities like this one. And while he may be new to the rivalry, he’s already carrying the weight of it like a seasoned veteran.
“This game,” Potter said, looking around the practice gym, “this is where you make your name.”
Whether it’s a breakout performance or a game-winning play, Potter is ready. Ready to fight. Ready to compete. Ready to represent Kentucky with pride.
When the final buzzer sounds, he hopes to walk off the court with his teammates victorious, knowing he did everything in his power to help bring home a win against the Wildcats’ most hated rival.
“It’s gonna be a war,” he said with a smile. “And I can’t wait to be in the middle of it.”
For Reece Potter, this isn’t just a game. It’s a defining moment—one that could shape his Kentucky legacy for years to come.