Former Kentucky basketball star Alex Poythress is battling illness, according to Wildcats coach John Calipari. Calipari confirmed previous reports with a social media message asking for prayers. According to Euro Hoops, Poythress — who plays professionally in Italy — is experiencing hemiparesis, which is affecting one side of his face.
“Got word last night that Alex Poythress has developed an illness while playing basketball over in Europe,” Calipari wrote. “One of the best athletes and kindest people I’ve ever coached…a good man! BBN, let’s pool some prayers and send them his way!!”
Poythress recently played for the Cote d’Ivoire national team and his condition was discovered after he played in the FIBA AfroBasket 2025 Qualifiers in Africa.
“He returned from the games in Africa, and he has a sort of hemiparesis on his face. It’s not known whether it’s of a nervous origin or a virus,” Poythress’ coach, Ettore Messina, told a local media organization. “He made the effort the other night, but it bothers him.”
Poythress was a five-star prospect ranked as the No. 7 player nationally in the 2012 recruiting cycle. A four-year player at Kentucky for Calipari, Poythress averaged 8.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
After he signed with the Indiana Pacers as a undrafted free agent, Poythress became the fourth Wildcat from the 2015-16 team to reach the NBA, joining fellow Wildcats Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets), Skal Labissiere (Sacramento Kings) and Tyler Ulis (Phoenix Suns), who were selected in the 2016 NBA Draft.
Poythress is one of only 12 players to register 900 career points, 500 career rebounds and 70 career blocks. A high-character player and exceptional student, Poythress graduated in just three years at Kentucky and became UK’s first Academic All-American since 1995 during his senior year. He was a four-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
