Lamont Butler Reflects on Kentucky’s Growth, His Rehab, and a Special Win Over Duke
There’s something about hearing a former player talk about his team that just hits differently-especially when that player is as respected and battle-tested as Lamont Butler. On Monday night, the former Kentucky point guard joined head coach Mark Pope on his weekly radio show, offering insight on the current Wildcats and an update on his own road back from injury.
Butler, who started all 27 games he played in last season before a shoulder injury cut his year short, left a strong impression in his lone season at Kentucky. He averaged career highs across the board-11.4 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game-and was the engine behind much of UK’s early-season success.
Now, he’s navigating a new chapter. After signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the Atlanta Hawks in October, Butler suffered a torn meniscus and ACL, sidelining him for the entire 2025-26 season. But if there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s that Butler’s not letting the setback define him.
“I’m getting rehab treatment five, six days a week,” Butler said. “I’ve been getting stronger.
I’ve been walking without crutches now, able to lift my leg on my own... Being able to be independent and do stuff on my own.
It’s been a process, but I’m starting to progress really well.”
That progress has been steady. Just four weeks post-surgery and seven weeks removed from the injury, Butler is already walking. His dad even sent Coach Pope a video of his son moving around-small steps, sure, but major milestones for a player with NBA aspirations.
Still, Butler’s heart clearly remains tied to Lexington. He watched Kentucky’s recent win over Indiana and was fired up by what he saw.
“I feel like the energy was there,” he said. “The energy, the effort from everybody was really high.
I think Mo Dioubate did a great job of bringing that toughness and effort. Everybody kind of followed along, and I think that’s what it takes sometimes.”
That toughness Butler mentioned? It’s exactly what this Kentucky team has been searching for in the early part of the season. And it wasn’t just Dioubate who caught his eye-Butler made a point to praise junior forward Brandon Garrison, who responded to a benching in the previous game with a gritty, all-around effort against Indiana: six points, five boards, two assists, a block, and a steal.
“I was really proud of BG and how he bounced back from his other games,” Butler said. “It was a team effort, and that’s what it’s going to take all year. Every game.”
He’s not wrong. In college basketball, winning consistently isn’t just about talent-it’s about chemistry, resilience, and everyone pulling in the same direction. And Butler, who’s been through those battles, knows exactly how hard it is to win at this level.
“People don’t understand how hard it is to win college basketball games,” he added. “You need the whole team, everybody hitting on the right cylinders.
Everybody going toward the same goal. I think it’s turning out really well for the team.”
This weekend, Kentucky returns to a place that holds special meaning for Butler: State Farm Arena in Atlanta. That’s where Pope’s first UK squad pulled off a statement win over Duke in the Champions Classic-a game that marked Butler’s arrival on the national stage. He finished with nine points, a team-best four assists, and three rebounds in that victory.
“That might be one of my favorite games I played as a Kentucky Wildcat,” Butler recalled. “It was our first time really feeling some adversity throughout the season.
We were down at halftime, and we got down in the second half and we just rallied together, took the game over. It was just a surreal moment, being able to play in a big-time Kentucky versus Duke game, one that I had watched so many times as a kid.”
Now, as Kentucky (7-4) prepares to face No. 22 St.
John’s (6-3) in that same arena, the echoes of that Duke win still linger. Butler won’t be on the floor this time, but his presence-his leadership, his resilience, and his belief in this team-still resonates.
And if this group can channel the same energy and unity Butler saw against Indiana, they might just be ready to write another memorable chapter in that building.