What do the two biggest misses of the Mark Pope era think of the Kentucky coach?

When Mark Pope was hired as the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, expectations were sky-high. A former Wildcat himself, Pope returned to Lexington with a reputation for being a brilliant basketball mind, a culture-builder, and a relentless recruiter. But the job he inherited was not an easy one. Following John Calipari’s departure, Pope was tasked with reviving a program accustomed to blue-chip dominance, Final Four aspirations, and national titles.

While Pope has already scored some recruiting wins and brought energy to the program, no coaching tenure—no matter how promising—starts without a few misses. For Pope, the two most notable early recruiting setbacks came in the form of top-tier prospects who opted to go elsewhere: five-star center Jayden Quaintance, who committed to Arizona State, and five-star wing V.J. Edgecombe, who chose Baylor. Both were heavily recruited by Pope and his staff. Both were considered realistic additions to Kentucky’s roster. And both ultimately slipped away.

But what do those two players—the ones who said no to the Pope-era Wildcats—actually think of the new Kentucky coach?

Jayden Quaintance, the 6-foot-10 phenom from North Carolina, made national headlines when he reclassified and burst onto the radar as one of the most dominant post prospects in the country. A high-motor big with elite athleticism and maturity beyond his years, Quaintance had Kentucky at or near the top of his list for months. Pope made him a top priority and reportedly spent more time on him than almost any other recruit in the 2024 class.

“I’ve got nothing but respect for Coach Pope,” Quaintance told reporters during his McDonald’s All-American media availability. “He was honest with me. He told me what he thought I could be at Kentucky. It wasn’t just hype with him. He broke down film. He talked about development. He talked about who he was going to put around me.”

Quaintance, who has family ties to both SEC and ACC programs, said the final decision to choose Arizona State wasn’t about disliking Kentucky, but about comfort, fit, and opportunity.

“I know people are going to say I passed on a blue blood, and yeah, that’s true. But I didn’t pass on Kentucky because of Coach Pope,” Quaintance clarified. “He’s going to do some big things there, I really believe that. It just wasn’t my path.”

It’s a telling endorsement, especially coming from a player who was courted by everyone from Calipari at Arkansas to Jon Scheyer at Duke. That level of praise, despite choosing another school, suggests that Pope has made a strong impression—even when he doesn’t get the commitment.

Likewise, V.J. Edgecombe, the electric 6-foot-5 Bahamian guard with a silky jumper and elite slashing ability, offered nothing but praise for Pope and the Wildcats’ staff. Edgecombe, widely considered one of the most dynamic scorers in the 2024 class, included Kentucky in his final three before committing to Scott Drew and Baylor.

“When I took my visit to Kentucky, I felt the history. I saw the banners. Coach Pope made it clear that he wasn’t afraid of the pressure,” Edgecombe said in a post-commitment interview. “He told me, ‘This is Kentucky. You don’t come here to hide. You come here to shine or get exposed.’ That stuck with me. He’s a real one.”

Edgecombe’s comments reflect a broader sentiment among elite prospects: that Pope is already earning respect for how he’s handling the challenge of following Calipari while simultaneously trying to modernize Kentucky’s approach to player development and NIL.

“People are going to talk about what Coach Cal did and try to compare it to what Pope is doing now,” Edgecombe continued. “But they’re different dudes. Pope’s got a vision, and he’s got passion. He listens. He’s building something, not just chasing names.”

In both cases, neither player chose Kentucky, but neither left with bitterness or dismissive comments. Instead, the tone is one of appreciation. For a new coach trying to reestablish a recruiting pipeline and brand identity, those relationships matter—even if they don’t yield immediate results.

One of Pope’s greatest assets, according to insiders, is his ability to communicate. He doesn’t oversell. He doesn’t promise guaranteed minutes or tell kids what they want to hear. He’s direct but personable, and players seem to respect that. In a recruiting landscape increasingly dominated by NIL deals, brand partnerships, and roster churn, Pope’s grounded and authentic approach is a breath of fresh air.

“I think Coach Pope is a coach you want to root for,” said one anonymous high school coach who has had multiple players recruited by Kentucky. “He’s not trying to be flashy or out-recruit everybody with smoke and mirrors. He’s got a basketball mind, and kids can tell when someone really knows the game.”

That said, there’s no denying that missing out on two top-10 caliber prospects like Quaintance and Edgecombe was a blow to Pope’s early momentum. Kentucky fans, accustomed to elite recruiting classes year after year, voiced their frustration on social media and message boards. Some worried that Pope might not have the star power to attract five-stars in the way Calipari did.

But recruiting isn’t just about one or two misses. It’s about consistency, persistence, and trust. And so far, Pope seems to be laying the groundwork for long-term success.

“He’s playing the long game,” said national recruiting analyst Corey Evans. “He’s not going to win every battle, especially not right away. But kids are responding to him. Families like him. Other coaches respect him. That’s how you build a foundation.”

It’s also worth noting that even with the losses of Quaintance and Edgecombe, Kentucky’s roster for the upcoming season is shaping up well. Pope landed several high-impact transfers, has a strong core of returning players, and continues to be in the mix for other top-tier recruits. Moreover, he’s prioritizing versatility, spacing, and toughness—traits that align with the modern game.

The early misses may sting, but they’re not indictments. Rather, they’re part of the natural process of building credibility in a cutthroat environment.

Interestingly, Pope’s background as a player—having won a national championship at Kentucky—gives him an edge when relating to his athletes. That authenticity resonates, even if it doesn’t always translate into commitments right away.

“I could tell he loved the game and loved Kentucky,” Edgecombe said. “He told me that when he wore the jersey, it meant everything. That’s the kind of guy I want to see succeed. Even if I’m not playing for him, I’m rooting for him.”

That theme—respect without regret—echoes in Quaintance’s comments as well.