The Kentucky Wildcats are one of college basketball's blue blood programs, but 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 hired 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 Kentucky basketball roster and has managed to hit the ground running. The bulk of the new 2024 Kentucky basketball recruiting class followed Calipari to Arkansas, but Pope was still able to add a pair of in-state high school recruits to his Kentucky basketball lineup.
The Wildcats have hit the Spring Transfer Portal hard and continue to be in contact with multiple available players. If you love the Wildcats, or just want the latest roster updates and college basketball transfer portal news, be sure to see what the proven team of insiders are saying at CatsPause, the 247Sports affiliate that covers Kentucky.
The team of insiders at CatsPause.com are providing up-to-the-minute scoop on the latest intel surrounding the Kentucky basketball coaching transition and roster changes. CatsPause has built a solid reputation over its 20+ years covering the Wildcats, and has deep-rooted sources inside and around the Kentucky athletic department. And right now, CatsPause is offering 50% off the first year of an annual subscriptions*, so now is the time to sign up.
The team at CatsPause has full coverage of who is coming and who is going on the Kentucky basketball roster. Head to CatsPause now to see all the insider info.
Kentucky basketball roster departures
No sooner had Calipari departed Kentucky that a number of Wildcats from last year's roster were on the move as well. 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 reportedly encouraging Bradshaw's high school teammate, D.J. Wagner, to join the Razorbacks.
The transfer portal isn't the only reason the Wildcats roster will look different next season. Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell, who were two of Kentucky's top scorers last season, are both graduating. Meanwhile, Justin Edwards, Rob Dillingham and Ugonna Onyenso have all 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 to see the latest on all of Kentucky's roster changes.
Kentucky basketball news, roster
Pope has already added eight transfer players, giving Kentucky the No. 5 transfer class in the country, according to 247Sports. One of the Wildcats' first additions was former Oklahoma State center Brandon Garrison, who was ranked as a five-star prospect in the Class of 2023, to get things started. The 6-foot-11, 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 a pair of potential instant impact guards in former Dayton sharpshooter Koby Brea and for San Diego State point guard Lamont Butler Jr.. Brea developed into one of the premier long-range shooters in college basketball. In 2023-24, Brea connected on 49.8% of his 3-point attempts and averaged 11.1 points per game. He should fit seamlessly into Pope's fast-paced offense that is heavily reliant 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 to get the latest on all of Kentucky's roster additions.
How to get insider Kentucky basketball roster updates
Pope could also be bringing at least one big-time BYU player with him, so be sure to join CatsPause to see who that is and get the rest of the insider roster news.
Who are the top names Kentucky basketball is pursuing under coach Mark Pope, and what former BYU player could land in Lexington? Go to CatsPause to see their insider information, all from a team of reporters with years of experience covering the Wildcats, and find out. And reminder, CatsPause is offering 50% off the first year of an annual VIP membership*, so subscribe now before it's too late.
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