Mark Pope caught up with Rob Dillingham (who has a “shifty” new logo) in Minnesota today
Mark Pope and the Kentucky men’s basketball coaching staff have been out recruiting this week. But on Friday, Pope made time during his busy schedule to check in on a former Wildcat.
Ahead of tonight’s Game 3 matchup in the first round of the NBA’s Western Conference Playoffs between the (3) Los Angeles Lakers and (6) Minnesota Timberwolves, Pope met with Wolves rookie guard Rob Dillingham.
The Kentucky MBB social media team posted a picture of Pope and Dillingham hanging out at the Timberwolves’ practice facility. Apparently, he made time to check in on Lakers forward/Kentucky alum, Jarred Vanderbilt, as well. The Timberwolves also dropped some pictures of Pope (who was accompanied by UK staffer Rock Oliver) with Dillingham and another former ‘Cat now playing for Minnesota, Julius Randle.
Pope sure does love that UK jacket, but who can blame him? He likely sleeps in it at this point. Tipoff tonight in Minneapolis is set for 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The series is tied 1-1.
Photo via @Timberwolves
Photo via @Timberwolves
Photo via @Timberwolves
Photo via @Timberwolves
Dillingham isn’t in Minnesota’s rotation right now due to an ankle injury that caused him to miss the first two games of the first-round series. The same issue will keep him out for Game 3. It’s been an up-and-down rookie season for the former Wildcat, who was taken 8th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. Dillingham appeared in 49 games in 2024-25 (including one start) with per-game averages of 4.5 points and two assists in 10.5 minutes per outing.
Getting drafted in the lottery to a franchise looking to make an immediate playoff run is never ideal for a rookie — just look at Reed Sheppard‘s lack of playing time with the Houston Rockets. Dillingham met the same fate as a deep bench piece in Minnesota. But he showed the potential of what he can be over the coming years. During a 21-game stretch spanning January through February, Dillingham averaged 7.1 points and 3.1 assists in 16.3 minutes per contest while shooting 44.4 percent from the floor.
Dillingham is still a popular basketball figure regardless of his on-court numbers. So much so that he’s released a new signature logo with Nike that plays off his nickname, “Rob Wit the Shifts”. The logo is inspired by a car’s automatic gear shift, with his initials and his jersey number incorporated into the design. It’s not the traditional logo you see from individual player brands, but it’s definitely unique.
Personally, I’m a fan.
Photo via @nicekicks
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