KSR Podcast Episode Summary
Episode: 2025-04-09 - KSR - Hour 1
Release Date: April 9, 2025
Host: Drew Franklin
Guests: Billy Hobbs (True Blue Customs), Jack Pilgrim, Zach Geoghegan
Location: iHeartPodcasts and Sports Talk 790 (WKRD-AM)

Introduction and Show Overview

In the April 9, 2025 episode of KSR, Drew Franklin takes the helm as the primary host while Matt, Ryan, Shannon, and Mario enjoy their respective vacations. Drew introduces his colleagues, Jack Pilgrim and Zach Geoghegan, highlighting Zach's debut on KSR radio after gaining popularity through KSR’s YouTube rapid reaction segments.

Basketball Updates and Roster Movements

The early part of the show delves into significant updates regarding the University of Kentucky (UK) basketball team. The conversation centers around the recent addition of Jaden Quaintance to the roster, a move that has stirred considerable excitement among fans.

Key Highlights:

• Jaden Quaintance’s Recruitment: Jack Pilgrim discusses the urgency and strategic importance of recruiting Quaintance, a coveted player that Coach Pope has been eager to secure. "It's a pretty massive land. It's the big fish that Pope has been wanting to reel in and fans have been wanting him to reel in" (05:05).

• Potential Impact on Other Players: The addition of Quaintance may influence the status of other players like Brandon Garrison, who has been highly praised by Coach Pope. Drew Franklin remarks, "Pope spoke very highly of Garrison throughout the end of the season, almost sounding like he's coming back will be a big piece of this team” (06:35).

• Wesley Yates and Lamar Wilkerson: The discussion shifts to potential recruits Wesley Yates and Lamar Wilkerson, analyzing their fit and the likelihood of their commitments. Zach comments, "I'm eligibility left. But as it's constructed right now, you can still see a path for Brandon Garrison to play" (12:20).

• Future Prospects: The team remains optimistic about filling needed positions, particularly focusing on adding another shooting guard to enhance their offensive capabilities. "If you can add another guy to the front court that can shoot and stretch the floor a little bit, I think you're gonna have almost like a complete perfect roster" (10:45).

Guest Segment: Billy Hobbs of True Blue Customs

Billy Hobbs, the creative force behind True Blue Customs, joins the show to discuss his unique business of customizing sneakers for athletes. His journey from a hobbyist to a full-time entrepreneur offering bespoke designs to both college and professional athletes is both inspiring and insightful.

Notable Insights:

• Business Evolution: Billy shares how his passion for sneakers and art led to the inception of True Blue Customs, eventually becoming a sought-after service among athletes. "I started doing customizations for him and his friends. And then it snowballed" (24:33).

• High-Profile Collaborations: He highlights working with prominent athletes like Albert Pujols and Kenny Walker, emphasizing the impact of these collaborations on his business growth. "Albert Pujols was probably one of my favorites... His last All Star Game, he wore one in the Home Run Derby," Billy recounts (27:18).

• Unique Requests and Challenges: Billy discusses the variety of custom requests he receives, from standard designs to extraordinary projects like creating custom cleats for the Pope. "I'll start with saying a lot of the UK guys that go through here... But dealing with the agents and dealing with the players, it's a little different" (28:29).

• Memorable Experiences: A standout moment for Billy was customizing sneakers for the actual Pope, which garnered significant attention. "There's actually a pair of my shoes at the Vatican. Like, that's insane" (28:22).

Interaction with Callers

The show features several callers who engage with the hosts on various topics, primarily focusing on basketball and SEC dynamics.

Caller Highlights:

• Andy’s Insights on SEC: Andy inquires about the SEC's future competitiveness, considering the recent player movements. Drew responds by discussing the unique challenges and changes within the conference. “I think the SEC isn't as stacked as it was last year” (18:34).

• Dave’s Congrats and Weather Concerns: Dave congratulates UK on recent successes and brings up concerns about recent flooding in Kentucky. Drew empathizes, sharing personal anecdotes about affected areas like Buffalo Trace. “Our hearts certainly go out to everyone having to deal with that around the state” (20:10).

• John’s Question on Jaden Quaintance’s Injury: John asks about the recovery timeline for Quaintance’s ACL injury. Drew provides an update based on recent information, noting Quaintance’s aim to return by December. “Doctors are pretty optimistic that he'll be early part of the season at some point” (22:30).

Personal Announcement: Drew’s Acting Debut

In a surprising and light-hearted revelation, Drew Franklin shares his upcoming acting debut in a local production of Romeo and Juliet. He humorously navigates discussions about his role, expressing both excitement and nervousness.

Key Points:

• Role Details: Drew reveals he will portray Count Paris, positioning himself humorously as he prepares for the role. "I'm Count Paris. Do you know anything about Count Paris before I start studying for Count Paris?" (36:02).

• Support from Co-Hosts: Jack and Zach encourage Drew, with Jack teasing about being supportive yet skeptical, while Zach expresses confidence in Drew’s ability to perform well. “I've got faith in Drew. You didn't do you know he's going to nail it?” (39:19).

• Community Involvement: Drew emphasizes that his participation is for charity, specifically supporting the Lexington Children Theatre, highlighting the importance of community engagement. “It's a big part of their fundraising for the year. And I'm a part of it” (38:09).

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Drew, Jack, and Zach reflecting on the day’s discussions, teasing upcoming segments, and encouraging listeners to engage via phone calls. The camaraderie among the hosts and their dynamic interactions provide an entertaining and informative wrap-up to the episode.

Notable Quotes

• Drew Franklin on Quaintance’s Importance:
  "It's a pretty massive land. It's the big fish that Pope has been wanting to reel in and fans have been wanting him to reel in." (05:05)

• Billy Hobbs on Customizing for the Pope:
  "There's actually a pair of my shoes at the Vatican. Like, that's insane." (28:22)

• Drew Franklin on Acting Debut:
  "I am Count Paris... I want to marry Juliet, but she doesn't love me back. And I think maybe I propose at one point. I'm pretty sure I die." (36:37)

Key Takeaways

• Significant Roster Changes: UK’s recruitment of Jaden Quaintance is poised to strengthen the basketball team, with potential ripple effects on other players’ statuses.

• Entrepreneurial Success: Billy Hobbs’ journey with True Blue Customs exemplifies how passion combined with talent can lead to substantial business growth and high-profile collaborations.

• Community Engagement: The hosts emphasize the importance of supporting local initiatives, as seen with Drew’s involvement in the Lexington Children Theatre and discussions about local weather impacts.

• Personal Growth: Drew’s foray into acting highlights the multifaceted personalities behind the KSR brand, showcasing their diverse interests and community involvement.

For more insights and updates, tune into the next KSR episode as the hosts continue to bring you the latest in UK news and sports.