The Kentucky Wildcats are the winningest college basketball program of all time, holding the most total victories and best winning percentage. The newest coach to face with the pressure of coaching Kentucky is Mark Pope, who took the job following the departure of John Calipari to Arkansas. Calipari's 2009-10 team rattled off 19 consecutive victories in his first season at the helm and the Wildcats finished with a 35-3 record overall that season. If Pope wants to follow in Calipari's footsteps, he will need a major effort from the players he acquired to be on the Kentucky basketball roster from the college basketball transfer portal.
Pope has brought in a slew of veterans from the portal, so the Kentucky basketball lineup will look significantly different than it did a year ago under Calipari. 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
Pope had to hit the ground running when he was named Kentucky's new head coach since several members of last year's Kentucky basketball roster have departed Lexington. Forward Zvonimir Ivisic is the first player to follow Calipari to Arkansas, and guard/small forward Adou Thiero followed after playing his past two seasons with Coach Cal. Aaron Bradshaw joined Ohio State, and guard Joey Hart will be on the Ball State roster next season. Point guard D.J. Wagner will follow Calipari to Arkansas.
Justin Edwards, Rob Dillingham and Ugonna Onyenso have all made the final decision to declare for the Draft. Kentucky will also be without top scorers Tre Mitchell and Antonio Reeves next season since both players graduated. Join CatsPause to see the latest on all of Kentucky's roster changes.
Kentucky basketball news, roster
Kentucky lost all 13 scholarship players from last year's roster to graduation, the transfer portal or the NBA draft, but Pope has an eight-man transfer class that is ranked fifth in the country, according to 247Sports. Oklahoma State's Brandon Garrison was the No. 23 player in the portal, while Otega Oweh (Oklahoma) and Lamont Butler (San Diego State) were both top-50 additions as well. Pope also added Andrew Carr (Wake Forest), Amari Williams (Drexel), Koby Brea (Dayton), Kerr Kriisa (West Virginia) and Ansley Almonor (FDU) from the portal.
The rest of Kentucky's roster is made up of incoming freshmen, including former BYU signee Collin Chandler who is coming off a 2-year Mormon mission. Travis Perry won Kentucky Mr. Basketball and is the state's all-time leading scorer, while former South Carolina signee Trent Noah brings the Wildcats' scholarship player count to 11. Pope still has two scholarships to work with entering the month of June. 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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