LEXINGTON, KY — In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the college basketball community, newly-appointed Kentucky head coach Mark Pope has addressed the unexpected decommitment of four-star recruit Acaden Lewis, citing what he described as a “surprise” and “deeply disappointing” issue involving “awful behaviour” behind the scenes.
Lewis, a top-100 national prospect in the 2025 class, had verbally committed to Kentucky just months ago, bringing excitement to Wildcat Nation. His dynamic playmaking ability, high basketball IQ, and leadership skills made him a key part of Kentucky’s rebuild under Pope, who recently took the reins from former head coach John Calipari.
However, on Thursday, Lewis officially announced that he was decommitting from the University of Kentucky. What initially appeared to be a routine decision by a young athlete reconsidering his options has now taken a dramatic turn.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference on Friday afternoon, Pope addressed the situation with unexpected candor.
“We had high hopes for Acaden,” Pope said. “He’s an exceptional talent, and we were excited about what he could bring to this program. But unfortunately, we became aware of some behavioral issues that we simply couldn’t ignore. It was a surprise to all of us, and frankly, it was disappointing.”
Though Pope did not go into explicit detail, sources close to the program suggest that the “awful behaviour” referred to by Pope involved incidents that raised serious concerns about Lewis’s attitude, conduct during unofficial team events, and how he interacted with staff and teammates during early recruiting visits.
One source, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the behavior as “entitled and disruptive,” noting that Lewis “struggled with accountability and showed a lack of respect for team culture.” While the exact nature of the incidents remains undisclosed, it’s clear that they were serious enough to prompt a reevaluation of his fit within the Kentucky basketball program.
Pope was careful to frame the issue with empathy, making it clear that the coaching staff had attempted to address the concerns privately before the final decision was made.
“We don’t give up on young men easily,” Pope continued. “This staff believes in mentorship, in second chances when appropriate. But we also have to protect the culture we’re building here at Kentucky. That means holding everyone to a high standard — from day one.”
In his own statement, Lewis did not reference the behavioral concerns directly. Instead, he thanked the Kentucky coaching staff for their interest and expressed a desire to “re-explore my options with clarity and focus.” He has since deleted several Kentucky-related posts from his social media accounts, further indicating a clean break from the program.
The decommitment leaves a noticeable gap in Pope’s inaugural recruiting class, though the coach emphasized that the program remains on solid footing.
“Recruiting is fluid,” Pope said. “We’re still building something special here, and we want players who are not only talented but also bought into the mission and values of this university.”
Fans have responded with a mix of disappointment and support, with many taking to social media to praise Pope for his transparency and commitment to accountability.
This incident marks an early test for Pope’s leadership as he works to restore Kentucky’s dominance in college basketball. While the loss of a high-profile recruit is never ideal, Pope’s handling of the situation may ultimately set a tone of integrity and discipline that resonates long after the headlines fade.
As for Lewis, his next steps remain unclear, but sources say several programs are still interested in landing the talented guard — provided any concerns raised during his brief time aligned with Kentucky are addressed.
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