Alexander Brown
The Kentucky Wildcats are one of college basketball’s blue blood programs, but they will have an almost entirely new look next season. After 15 memorable seasons, John Calipari left Lexington to take the head coaching job at Arkansas. The Wildcats signed Mark Pope, a former standout guard on Kentucky’s 1996 national championship team, away from BYU to replace Calipari. Pope was tasked with building an entirely new basketball roster at Kentucky and was able to get to work. Most of Kentucky’s new 2024 basketball recruiting class followed Calipari to Arkansas, but Pope still managed to add two in-state high school recruits to his Kentucky basketball roster.
The Wildcats have hit the Spring Transfer Portal hard and continue to be in contact with several available players. If you love the Wildcats or just want the latest roster updates and news from the college basketball transfer portal, be sure to 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 roster 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
Pope has already added eight transfer players, giving Kentucky the fifth-ranked transfer class in the country, according to 247Sports. One of the Wildcats’ first additions was former Oklahoma State center Brandon Garrison, who was rated as a five-star prospect in the 2023 class to begin with. The 6-foot-2, 245-pound big man averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game during his freshman season, and will give the Wildcats a physically imposing presence in the paint.
Pope also added two potential instant-impact guards, former Dayton sharpshooter Koby Brea and San Diego State point guard Lamont Butler Jr.. Brea has become one of college basketball’s premier long-range shooters. In 2023-24, Brea made 49.8% of his 3-point attempts and averaged 11.1 points per game. He should fit right in with Pope’s fast-paced offense, which relies heavily on 3-point shooting. Butler was a key piece in the Aztecs’ run to the national championship game in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. 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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