Missed Kentucky basketball's Big Blue Madness? Here's a look at all the memorable moments

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Another year, another Big Blue Madness in the books for the Kentucky men's and women's basketball teams.

Here's a rundown of the most memorable moments from the Wildcats' annual tipoff event at Rupp Arena:

Kentucky scores 2023 commitment from top-10 prospect Aaron Bradshaw

On a night meant to showcase his 2022-23 team, men's head coach John Calipari upstaged every player who took the court with his recruiting prowess.

The No. 2 center and No. 6 overall talent in the 2023 class, Aaron Bradshaw, announced his commitment through On3's Joe Tipton 38 minutes before Big Blue Madness began. The 7-footer from South Jersey became the fourth member of what could be Calipari's best haul yet, joining Justin Edwards (SF), Robert Dillingham (PG) and Reed Sheppard (G).

Aaron Bradshaw:Top-5 2023 center commits to Kentucky basketball: Report

Not long after Bradshaw's commitment was made public, Calipari put the icing on the cake by tweeting a single winking face emoji. His 2023 class is now ranked second, trailing only Duke, on 247Sports' national leaderboard.

Bradshaw arrived late to Big Blue Madness, reportedly due to flight issues, but got to watch the event sitting near Sheppard, Edwards and DJ Wagner, the top-rated prospect in the 2023 class, who remains undecided in his college decision.

Wagner, who has played with Bradshaw at Camden High School and on the AAU circuit, has not yet set an announcement date for his college decision, but all signs point to him joining Bradshaw in Lexington next season after the 6-3 combo guard recently signed an NIL deal with Nike, Kentucky's longtime apparel sponsor.

Other notable recruits in attendance Friday included 2024 prospects Ian Jackson, Karter Knox, Lyon County star Travis Perry and Woodford County's Jasper Johnson, the lone representative from the Bluegrass State on ESPN's top 25 players in the 2025 class.

Kentucky basketball recruiting:DJ Wagner headlines high-profile visitors list for Big Blue Madness

Oscar Tshiebwe hobbles to stage on crutches after 'minor' knee procedure

The reigning consensus national player of the year was saved for last when the 2022-23 Kentucky men's basketball team was introduced Friday night.

When Oscar Tshiebwe took the stage, however, he wasn't moving like he did during his historic first season with the Wildcats. That's because the big man from the Democratic Republic of the Congo underwent what Calipari on Tuesday called a "minor 15-minute procedure to clean some things up" in his knee.

"Not a big deal, but no dancing at Madness!" Calipari tweeted Tuesday. He was right.

Oscar Tshiebwe:Kentucky basketball star to have 'minor' knee procedure, John Calipari says

Receiving one of the loudest ovations of the night, Tshiebwe used crutches to hobble up a flight of stairs and emerge on a stage set up at one end of Rupp Arena. He was then handed a mic and introduced Calipari to the crowd.

The Lexington Herald-Leader on Friday reported Tshiebwe is not expected to play during UK's upcoming preseason slate, which includes the annual Blue-White scrimmage and two exhibitions. Barring any setbacks, the prolific rebounder should be back patrolling the post during the team's regular-season opener.

Kentucky trots out star-studded group of former Wildcats

You could put together a strong NBA rotation with the collection of ex-Cats who attended the 2022 edition of Big Blue Madness: Bam Adebayo; Hamidou Diallo; Michael Kidd-Gilchrist; Brandon Knight; Kevin Knox; Nick Richards; and Tyler Ulis.

Kentucky also aired a collection of video messages from more of Calipari's former players on the Rupp Arena video board, which you can watch in its entirety below:

A member of the 2011-12 national championship team, Anthony Davis, had a message to current players: "Let's chase No. 9 this year. Let's do it, fellas.

"Coach Cal, I don't like you," Davis joked. "Nah, but I love you, man. Get the guys right, and let's hang up another banner."

Kentucky men's basketball schedule:What to know about the Wildcats' 2022-23 slate: Opponents, times, TV info

Jacob Toppin makes slam dunk contest history

After coming up short in the annual 3-point contest, Jacob Toppin took it upon himself to enter the slam dunk contest after what he called a "horrible" start to the event from his teammates.

The senior from Brooklyn, New York, proceeded to throw down a dunk that won over a judges' table of former Wildcats — and the fans in attendance.

Jacob Toppin:Why Oscar Tshiebwe thinks the senior from Brooklyn has been UK basketball's best player this summer

Freshman Chris Livingston and sophomore Daimion Collins were actually tied for the lead in points at the end of the event, but both Diallo (the NBA's 2019 slam dunk champion) and the crowd sided with Toppin, who was told he was the first player to win the contest without formally being a contestant.

"My name is Jacob Toppin, and I just made history," the senior said.

What's next for Kentucky men's, women's basketball?

UK takes its annual Blue-White scrimmage to Pikeville's Appalachian Wireless Arena on Oct. 22. The event is doubling as a fundraiser for ongoing flood-relief efforts in Eastern Kentucky. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.

The Wildcats' regular season begins at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 7, against Howard at Rupp Arena. The team has two exhibitions planned, against Missouri Western State on Oct. 30 and Kentucky State on Nov. 3, and both games are scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m.

Blue-White game:Kentucky basketball headed to Pikeville for annual scrimmage, flood relief fundraiser

Kentucky women's basketball schedule:What we know about the Wildcats' 2022-23 slate

The women's team plays an exhibition at 7 p.m. Nov. 2 against Pikeville at Memorial Coliseum before tipping off its regular season at 7 p.m. Nov. 7 against Radford at home.

Reach recruiting and trending sports reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @brooksHolton.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky basketball Big Blue Madness: Memorable moments, highlights