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Sports media is ablaze after ESPN analyst Rick Masters made a shockingly controversial comment about Kentucky Wildcats standout guard, Jalen Thompson, during a live segment on College GameNight.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n While discussing NBA draft prospects, Masters said, “Thompson might put up numbers, but he doesn\u2019t have the IQ or discipline to succeed at the next level\u2014he\u2019s more hype than substance.”<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fans, players, and even fellow analysts immediately took to social media to condemn the statement. Former NBA All-Star and Kentucky alum DeMarcus Cousins tweeted, \u201cDisrespectful and baseless. Jalen is one of the smartest players I\u2019ve seen come out of Kentucky in years.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Thompson, who has led Kentucky to a top-seeded NCAA tournament run this year, responded in a press conference: \u201cI let my game speak. I\u2019m focused on winning, not talking.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n As calls mount for ESPN to address the comment, Masters has yet to issue an apology or clarification. The network has released a brief statement saying, \u201cWe are reviewing the matter internally.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Stay tuned as this story develops\u2014because it\u2019s far from over.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"