Alexander Brown
The college basketball transfer portal has become crucial for nearly every coach in the country, but it has been even more important for first-year coaches like Kentucky’s Mark Pope. The Wildcats lost every player from last year’s Kentucky basketball squad after coach John Calipari left for Arkansas, so Pope and his staff are building the team from the ground up. Pope has already added eight players from the college basketball transfer portal to go along with three freshmen. Players had until May 1st to enter the portal, and the deadline for players to withdraw their names from the NBA draft is May 29th.
Pope takes over the school where he won the 1996 national championship as a player. The Wildcats won the 2012 title under Calipari, but haven’t reached the Final Four since 2015. If you love the Wildcats or just want the latest roster updates and news from the college basketball transfer portal, be sure to stop by See what the proven team of experts is saying at CatsPause, the 247Sports affiliate covering Kentucky.
The team of insiders at CatsPause. with are providing up-to-date information on the latest information regarding the Kentucky basketball coaching transition and roster changes. CatsPause has built a solid reputation over its 20-plus years covering the Wildcats and has deeply rooted sources in and around the Kentucky athletic department. And now, CatsPause is offering 50% off your first year of annual subscription*, so now is the time to sign up.
The CatsPause team has complete coverage on who’s making and who’s making the Kentucky basketball roster. Head to CatsPause now for all the insider info.
Kentucky Basketball Roster Matches
Once Calipari left Kentucky, several Wildcats from last year’s roster were also on the move. Aaron Bradshaw was the first to commit to a new team when he joined the Ohio State Buckeyes, while Zvonimir Ivisic became the first player from last season to follow Calipari to Arkansas. Calipari is also encouraging Bradshaw’s high school teammate, DJ Wagner, to join the Razorbacks.
The transfer portal isn’t the only reason the Wildcats’ roster will be different next season. Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell, two of Kentucky’s leading scorers last season, are graduating. Meanwhile, Justin Edwards, Rob Dillingham and Ugonna Onyenso have declared for the 2024 NBA Draft. There is also movement within the recruiting class, so Pope’s lineup is clearly far from solidified for the 2024-25 season. Join CatsPause for the latest on all of Kentucky’s roster changes.
Kentucky Basketball News, Roster
Kentucky’s new basketball roster features no scholarship carryovers from last season, with all players transferring, graduating or declaring for the NBA draft. Pope’s new recruiting class features former BYU signee Collin Chandler, Travis Perry and Trent Noah. They join a roster that now has eight transfers following the addition of Fairleigh Dickinson forward Ansley Almonor, who committed to Pope and the Wildcats after three seasons with the Knights.
He averaged 16.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 39.4% from 3-point range last season, knocking down nearly three triples per game. The Wildcats have a number of other experienced college basketball players on their roster, including fifth-year guards Koby Brea (Dayton), Lamont Butler (San Diego State) and Kerr Kriisa (Arizona/West Virginia). Fifth-year forwards Amari Williams (Drexel) and Andrew Carr (Delaware/Wake Forest) have also committed to play for Kentucky. Join CatsPause for the latest on all of Kentucky’s roster additions.
How to Get Insider Kentucky Basketball Roster Updates
Pope could also bring at least one big BYU player with him, so be sure to join CatsPause to see who it is and get the rest of the insider news.
Who are the top names Kentucky basketball is pursuing under coach Mark Pope, and which former BYU player could land in Lexington? Go to CatsPause to Get your inside scoop, all from a team of reporters with years of experience covering the Wildcats, and find out. And remember: CatsPause is offering 50% off the first year of an annual VIP membership*, so sign up now before it’s too late.
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