Kentucky Wildcats News: Rick Pitino beats Mark Pope for Donnie Freeman

TL;DR

Rick Pitino has secured a commitment from power forward Donnie Freeman, beating out Kentucky's Mark Pope. Freeman's decision comes after the Wildcats lost another recruit, Sebastian Rancik, to Florida State.

Key points

Rick Pitino secured Donnie Freeman's commitment for St. John's
Kentucky lost Sebastian Rancik to Florida State
Freeman's decision followed a surge of momentum for St. John's

Mentioned in this story

St. John's Red StormKentucky WildcatsRick PitinoMark PopeFlorida State

Donnie Freeman

Current Kentucky head coach Mark Pope sets up former UK coach Rick Pitino for a brief speech to the Rupp Arena crowd during Big Blue Madness on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Lexington, Kentucky. (Ryan C. Hermens/Lexington Herald-Leader/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Good morning, BBN!

This weekend was a wild one on the recruiting trail as the Kentucky Wildcats failed to lock up two of their primary options at power forward. Sebastian Rancik chose to head to Tallahassee to play for Florida State, while Mark Pope and the staff waited out Donnie Freeman, who is now committed to play for Rick Pitino and the St. John’s Red Storm.

Momentum started to gain for St. John’s on Sunday night and continued throughout Monday, culminating in the commitment on Monday night.

Yes, you read that correctly: Pitino stole Freeman right out from under his former player and team captain.

We all started to accept Pitino back into the BBN, but this might leave a bad taste. Unfortunately, there is no loyalty to one another through all of this, and rightfully so. This is big-boy recruiting, and the UK staff has to learn how to seal the deal.

Now, who do the Cats turn to? That is a great question.