Representing TEAM USA, the University Of Kentucky traveled to Toronto, Canada, for the 2023 Global Jam. Kentucky would spend Wednesday afternoon in the opening game against the national team from Germany. Heading into the 2023 Global Jam, Kentucky had only ten practices together as a team before taking on talent on a global scale.

Heading into Wednesday’s game with Germany, Coach John Calipari had warned the Big Blue Nation to be patient with his young Kentucky Wildcats Basketball team as they would be using the Global Jam as a learning experience for a team without college basketball experience.

Kentucky played small ball on Wednesday afternoon against the Germans after Onyeso went down on Tuesday in practice with an apparent ankle injury leaving the Wildcats without a big man down low.

However, that wasn’t enough to slow down the Wildcats on Wednesday afternoon as Kentucky struggled early but found their groove in the second half. Sure, not having a full roster is a bit discouraging if you’re a Kentucky Wildcats Basketball fan, but overall, Wednesday was a good day for the Wildcats. Germany pushed the Wildcats enough to cause an uncomfortable feeling. Coach John Calipari kept his young and hungry Kentucky team up to the attack from the barrage from the German National Team.

Kentucky had production from across the roster, but three guys stood out for the Blue and White on Wednesday afternoon in Toronto, Canada. Tre Mitchell, Antonio Reeves, and DJ Wagner led the way in scoring for the Kentucky Wildcats with a combined 60 points. Elsewhere it was Adou Thiero, Reed Sheppard, Justin Edwards, and Robert Dillingham giving Kentucky quality minutes with defensive production and a sliver of offensive sunshine as the Wildcats would go on to defeat Germany on Wednesday.

Overall, it wasn’t pretty, but if you’re John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats leaving Wednesday afternoon of the 2023 Global Jam with a decisive 81-73 win over Germany is something to be happy about.

Kentucky will return to action on Wednesday night as the Wildcats prepare to take on the Canadian National Team.