Numbers That Tell a Story
Kentucky’s coaching staff shared a behind‑the‑scenes look at the locker room, posting an Instagram video that displayed each player’s name alongside the number that will grace his jersey this year.
Among the updates, Braydon Hawthorne announced he will trade his No. 22 for the historic No. 2, a digit previously worn by some of the program’s most celebrated guards, while his brother Zyon Hawthorne will become the first Wildcat in 72 years to wear the rare No. 0.
Jerone Morton is slated to wear No. 1, a number last seen during the Mark Pope era, and Kam Williams will continue with No. 3, a digit that has paid tribute to legends such as Rex Chapman and Tyrese Maxey.
Mason Williams, son of assistant coach Mo Williams, will don No. 4, a numeral that Kyle Macy and Rajon Rondo made famous, thereby connecting his family’s basketball lineage to the university’s storied past.
Zoom Diallo will take over No. 5, a number previously held by Collin Chandler, while Trent Noah will keep No. 9, a digit that symbolizes the team’s chase for a ninth championship.
Alex Wilkins will wear No. 10, a number that Brandon Garrison sported in the Pope era, and Franck Kepnang becomes the first center to wear No. 11 since George Yates in the 1932‑33 season.
Ousmane N’Diaye selects No. 19, a figure not used by a Kentucky Wildcat since the 1953‑54 campaign, and Justin McBride will retain No. 21, echoing the legacies of Jack Givens and Shaedon Sharpe.
Milan Momcilovic will sport No. 22, a number associated with Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander, and Reece Potter will wear No. 33, a digit he has previously worn in high school and at Miami Ohio, completing a narrative that weaves past and present.