Coach John Calipari of the Wildcats reports that Alex Poythress, a former standout basketball player for Kentucky, is battling sickness.
Calipari sent a request for prayers on social media, confirming earlier claims. Poythress, a professional player in Italy, has
hemiparesis, which affects one side of his face, according to Euro Hoops.
“Got word last night that Alex Poythress has developed an illness while playing basketball over in Europe,” Calipari stated in a tweet.
“A wonderful man and one of the best athletes I’ve ever coached! Together, let’s offer up some prayers for BBN.
Poythress was diagnosed with a medical ailment subsequent to his participation in the FIBA AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers in Africa. He
is currently a member of the Cote d’Ivoire national team.
“He looked like he had hemiparesis when he came back from the games in Africa. “It’s unclear if it stems from a neurological condition
or a virus,” Ettore Messina, Poythress’ coach, stated to a local news outlet. “He made the effort the other night, but it bothers him.”
In the 2012 recruiting cycle, Poythress was rated as a five-star prospect and the seventh-best player in the country. Poythress played
for Calipari for four years at Kentucky, averaging 8.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest.
In signing as an undrafted free agent with the Indiana Pacers, Poythress joined fellow Wildcats Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets), Skal
Labissiere (Sacramento Kings), and Tyler Ulis (Phoenix Suns) as the fourth member of the 2015–16 squad to make it to the NBA.
Just 12 players have amassed 900 career points, 500 career rebounds, and 70 career blocks, including Poythress. A superb student
and player with integrity, Poythress completed his studies at Kentucky in just three years, and in his senior year, he became the first
Academic All-American from the UK since 1995. He was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll four times.
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