New Kentucky coach Mark Pope landed his first switch portal dedication of the offseason final weekend when Drexel star ahead Amari Williams pledged his dedication to this system. Williams is the second newcomer the Wildcats have landed since Pope’s arrival after Collin Chandler flipped his dedication from BYU to Kentucky.
Chandler, a member of the 2022 recruiting cycle, spent the final two years on a Mormon mission. He was Pope’s highest-rated signee (No. 33 general) throughout his tenure at BYU.
With Kentucky star freshman Reed Sheppard declaring for the NBA Draft and Joey Hart transferring to Ball State, the Wildcats have zero returning scholarship gamers remaining.
4-star guard Billy Richmond decommitted from the Wildcats’ once-heralded recruiting class just a few hours after Chandler dedicated to the Wildcats. Chandler’s dedication comes after a number of members of UK’s 2024 recruiting class re-opened their recruitments following the departure of coach John Calipari for Arkansas. Travis Perry stays dedicated to UK, however 4 prime 50 prospects previously pledged to the Wildcats are actually on monitor to play elsewhere subsequent season.
Pope, who spent the previous 5 seasons as BYU’s coach, performed at UK beneath Rick Pitino from 1994 to 1996 and was a key a part of this system’s 1996 nationwide title run. With most of Kentucky’s 2023-24 roster both out of eligibility, within the switch portal, or headed to the NBA Draft, his first order of enterprise is constructing a roster for subsequent season.
CBS Sports activities is monitoring the standing of the Kentucky roster and recruiting class in actual time. This is the place each present UK participant and commit at the moment stand.
Incoming transfers
Amari Williams (Switch from Drexel)
GP: 32 | GS: 32 | PPG: 12.2 | RPG: 7.8
The three-time CAA Defensive Participant of the Yr is a invaluable addition for Kentucky. Williams brings expertise (79 profession begins) and might be probably the greatest defensive gamers within the SEC from Day 1. Williams has averaged not less than 1.8 blocks per sport over the last three seasons. Williams shot 51.7% from the ground on 8.4 makes an attempt per sport through the 2023-24 marketing campaign. Williams ranked No. 57 within the CBS Sports activities Switch Portal Rankings.
Kentucky underclassmen
Brennan Canada
GP: 5 | GS: 0 | PPG: 0 | RPG: 0.4
Canada appeared in 25 complete video games over his five-year profession with Kentucky. He made 5 appearances this season.
Kareem Watkins
GP: 6 | GS: 1 | PPG: 0 | RPG: 0.2
Watkins has appeared in 20 video games during the last 4 seasons with Kentucky. He made six appearances this season.
Walker Horn
GP: 4 | GS: 0 | PPG: 0 | RPG: 0
Horn has made eight appearances during the last two seasons for Kentucky.
Grant Darbyshire
GP: 4 | GS: 0 | PPG: 0 | RPG: 0
Darbyshire made 4 appearances for Kentucky this season.
Kentucky gamers not anticipated to return
Reed Sheppard (Declared for NBA Draft)
GP: 33 | GS: 5 | PPG: 12.5 | RPG: 4.1
Sheppard was named CBS Sports activities Freshman of the Yr after placing up some of the environment friendly stat traces within the nation. Sheppard made solely 5 begins in 33 video games however had an affect at any time when he stepped onto the courtroom. Sheppard completed the season taking pictures 53.6% from the ground, 51.1% on 3-pointers (on 4.4 makes an attempt), and 83.1% from the charity stripe. Sheppard completed 5 steals shy (82) of breaking the single-season document set by Rajon Rondo through the 2004-05 season. On Thursday, Sheppard formally declared for the NBA Draft.
Zvonimir Ivišić (Transferring to Arkansas)
GP: 15 | GS: 0 | PPG: 5.5 | RPG: 3.3
Whereas Ivišić did not play a ton throughout his freshman season, he undoubtedly made an affect when he performed. Hours after he was dominated eligible by the NCAA on Jan. 20, Ivišić recorded 13 factors, 5 rebounds, and a pair of assists in his collegiate debut.
Days after Ivišić entered the switch portal, he introduced he would observe Calipari and had dedicated to Arkansas.
Ugonna Onyenso (Declared for NBA Draft)
GP: 24 | GS: 14 | PPG: 3.6 | RPG: 4.8
The highest shot-blocker on final season’s Kentucky group averaged 18.6 minutes per night time. Onyenso made 14 begins after enjoying lower than seven minutes as a freshman the 12 months earlier than, however has declared for the NBA Draft.
D.J. Wagner (In switch portal)
GP: 29 | GS: 28 | PPG: 9.9 | RPG: 1.9
Inside just a few days after Calipari’s departurem, his hiring at Arkansas and Pope’s arriving at UK, Wagner entered the switch portal.
Wagner ranked because the No. 6 participant popping out of highschool and was one of many prized recruits from his class. The Wagner household has deep ties to Calipari, as D.J.’s father, Dajuan Wagner, performed for Calipari when he was the coach at Memphis.
Rob Dillingham (Declared for NBA Draft)
GP: 32 | GS: 1 | PPG: 15.2 | RPG: 2.9
The highest-ranked participant in CBS Sports activities’ NBA Draft prospect rankings is popping professional. Dillingham was named SEC sixth Man of the Yr after placing up huge numbers in his first season at Kentucky. The 6-3 guard made solely a single begin however was one in all Kentucky’s greatest gamers your entire season. Dillingham is a artful guard with a fast burst that may get to the rim at any time when he pleases. Dillingham has obtained buzz over the previous couple of months as a possible No. 1 general decide.
Aaron Bradshaw (Transferring to Ohio State)
GP: 26 | GS: 10 | PPG: 4.9 | RPG: 3.3
Bradshaw was the primary participant from Kentucky’s top-ranked 2023 recruiting class to enter his identify within the switch portal. Bradshaw missed the beginning of the season attributable to harm and appeared for the primary time on Dec. 2 in opposition to UNC Wilmington. Bradshaw was the No. 5 recruit popping out of highschool. Bradshaw is anticipated to switch to Ohio State, in line with 247Sports.
Adou Thiero (In switch portal)
GP: 25 | GS: 19 | PPG: 7.2 | RPG: 5
Thiero entered his identify into the switch portal final month and is the No. 53 participant obtainable in David Cobb’s switch portal rankings. Thiero noticed a bigger position throughout his second season in Lexington, making 19 begins and 25 appearances whereas averaging career-highs in virtually each statistical class.
Joey Hart (Transfering to Ball State)
GP: 7 | GS: 0 | PPG: 0.4 | RPG: 0
Hart will enter the switch portal after enjoying sparingly as a freshman. The previous three-star recruit dedicated to Kentucky out of highschool over UCF, Ball State, Drake and Northwestern amongst others. Hart dedicated to Ball State on Thursday.
Justin Edwards (Declared for NBA Draft)
GP: 32 | GS: 30 | PPG: 8.8 | RPG: 3.4
Edwards was the primary Kentucky participant to declare for the draft and determined to show professional days earlier than Calipari left this system. The previous highly-touted prospect confirmed flashes of his five-star billing all through the season. Edwards tasks as somebody who will both get drafted late within the first spherical or early within the second spherical of this summer season’s draft. Edwards is an ideal swing for the fences prospect.
Antonio Reeves (Out of eligibility)
GP: 33 | GS: 33 | PPG: 20.2 | RPG: 4.2
The main scorer on Kentucky final season is out of eligibility. Reeves transferred to Kentucky in 2022 after spending the primary three seasons at Illinois State. Reeves by no means entered his identify into the switch portal final summer season however reportedly took summer season courses at Illinois State, the place he started his profession. He completed his faculty profession with a career-high in factors and rebounds.
Tre Mitchell (Out of eligibility)
GP: 27 | GS: 24 | PPG: 10.7 | RPG: 7.2
Like Reeves, Mitchell is out of eligibility. Mitchell transferred to Kentucky for his ultimate faculty season after stops at UMass, Texas, and West Virginia. Mitchell offered a invaluable veteran presence for a younger roster and began 24 out of the 27 video games he appeared in.
Jordan Burks (In switch portal)
GP: 20 | GS: 0 | PPG: 1.9 | RPG: 1.6
Burks is a former three-star recruit from the 2023 recruiting cycle. He appeared in 20 video games this season and scored a career-high 13 factors in a win over Vanderbilt. Burks entered the switch portal on Friday. Kentucky may have zero scholarship gamers returning on the roster from final season.
Kentucky’s incoming recruiting class
Below Calipari, Kentucky completed with a top-five recruiting class each cycle since 247Sports began monitoring group rankings in 2010. The Wildcats landed the No. 1 recruiting class in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2020, and 2023 beneath his watch. However in an period when age and expertise rule the day in faculty basketball, relying so closely on one-and-done prospects started to harm Kentucky in latest seasons.
Here’s a have a look at Kentucky’s roster and incoming recruiting class with 247Sports rankings.
No. 33 Collin Chandler
Chandler is technically a part of the 2022 recruiting class. However after spending two years on a Mormon mission, the Utah native might be a freshman within the 2024-25 season. The 6-4 guard ranked as a four-star prospect and was initially dedicated to BYU earlier than requesting a launch and changing into Pope’s first dedication at Kentucky. 247Sports recruiting analyst Brandon Jenkins described Chandler as “a aggressive guard who at all times performs in assault mode.”
No. 73 Travis Perry
Perry was Kentucky’s lone signee from the Bluegrass State. He ranked because the No. 6 level guard within the 2024 cycle and dedicated to Kentucky over Alabama, Cincinnati, Ole Miss, and Western Kentucky. Perry is the all-time main scorer in Kentucky highschool boys’ basketball historical past.
Class of 2024 recruits not dedicated
No. 8 Jayden Quaintance
The very best-ranked signee from Kentucky’s incoming recruiting class is exclusive due to his age. Quaintance will not flip 17 years previous till July, making him ineligible for the 2025 NBA Draft. NBA guidelines state {that a} participant should be not less than 19 years previous through the calendar 12 months of the draft, which opens the door for him to play two seasons in faculty. Quaintance dedicated to Kentucky over Florida, Missouri, and Ohio State. On Wednesday, Quaintance’s father, Haminn, informed 247Sports that his son could be requesting his launch from his NIL to Kentucky. Haminn lately posted on social media that their household could be “driving with the massive canine (Calipari) till the wheels fall off.” Calipari will probably try and lure in Quaintance to come back to Arkansas.
No. 20 Karter Knox
The brother of former Kentucky one-and-done Kevin Knox II was the newest participant to pledge their dedication to Calipari on this class. Knox dedicated to Kentucky on March 9 over Louisville, USF, and a return to Time beyond regulation Elite. He was the highest-ranked highschool participant on the board obtainable after former Indiana signee Liam McNeeley requested a launch from his NLI. Knox’s brother, Kobe, is a present participant at USF. With Knox reopening his recruitment, he’s certain to have loads of suitors for his providers.
No. 22 Billy Richmond
Richmond dedicated to Kentucky on Dec. 21 over Alabama, LSU, and Memphis however decommitted on April 16. The Richmond household has deep ties to Calipari. Richmond’s father, who can be named Billy Richmond, performed for Calipari at Memphis from 2002 to 2004. Richmond is taken into account an athletic lefty wing with the prospect to make an instantaneous affect when he steps onto campus this fall.
No. 26 Boogie Fland
The McDonald’s All-American is among the greatest combo guards within the nation and ranked solely behind Rutgers signee Dylan Harper for the highest participant on the place. Fland dedicated to Kentucky over Alabama, UConn, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, and St. John’s. Fland was Kentucky’s second dedication within the 2024 cycle, however requested for his launch lower than every week after Calipari was launched at Arkansas.
No. 46 Somto Cyril
The primary commit of Kentucky’s 2024 recruiting class picked the Wildcats over Cincinnati, Florida, Georgetown, Indiana, Kansas, Memphis, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. Cyril ranks because the No. 10 heart in his class. Cyril was granted his launch from his NLI and de-committed from Kentucky on Wednesday.