Kentucky Wildcats Look to Finalize 2025–26 Roster Through Transfer Portal

As the college basketball offseason rolls into May, the Kentucky Wildcats continue to make headlines. With a new head coach at the helm and sweeping roster changes underway, the program is pushing hard to finalize its roster for the 2025–26 season. The focus: the NCAA transfer portal.

What was once an offseason tool is now a central strategy for roster building in college basketball, and Kentucky is leaning into it heavily under new head coach Mark Pope. After years under the one-and-done model popularized by John Calipari, the Wildcats are now recalibrating their identity—opting for a mix of experienced transfers and high-upside recruits.

This isn’t just a tweak; it’s a wholesale reimagining of Kentucky basketball.

The departure of John Calipari to Arkansas shocked some and relieved others. After over a decade of success, stagnation had set in. Kentucky hadn’t reached a Final Four since 2015, and consecutive early tournament exits had turned up the pressure on the Hall of Fame coach.

Enter Mark Pope, a Kentucky alumnus who played for the Wildcats in the mid-1990s. Fresh off a successful stint at BYU, Pope brings a reputation for innovation, player development, and culture-building. More importantly, he’s already made clear that he won’t be mimicking the past regime.

“I love what this program stands for, but I’m not here to repeat history—I’m here to build something new,” Pope said during his introductory press conference. “That starts with building the right team, the right way.”

After the coaching change, Kentucky saw almost its entire 2024–25 roster depart. Some players entered the NBA Draft, others transferred, and a few simply opted for a fresh start elsewhere. This exodus, while jarring, gave Pope the chance to build the team completely in his image.

By the time the spring transfer window opened, Kentucky was down to nearly zero scholarship players. The cupboard wasn’t just bare—it had been taken off the wall.

Pope and his staff attacked the portal with urgency and precision. They weren’t just hunting names—they were seeking fit: mature players who could contribute immediately and adapt quickly to the culture Pope wants to build in Lexington.

So far, Pope’s transfer haul has drawn national attention. Several players stand out as foundational pieces for the new-look Wildcats.

A defensive anchor from Drexel, Williams is a 7-footer with elite shot-blocking instincts. He was the CAA Defensive Player of the Year three times and brings much-needed rim protection. More importantly, he’s mature, disciplined, and battle-tested—something the Wildcats sorely lacked last season.

An explosive wing who averaged over 11 points per game at Oklahoma, Oweh provides slashing, perimeter defense, and energy. He’s expected to be one of the leaders on the floor and off, especially with a young supporting cast.

A 6’7” stretch forward, Almonor gives Kentucky shooting from the frontcourt—something Pope values highly. His ability to hit threes, rebound, and switch on defense makes him a potential matchup nightmare.

A shifty guard who didn’t get major minutes at Florida but showed flashes of scoring and vision. Pope reportedly sees him as a sleeper who could thrive in a more open offensive system.

Though technically a freshman, Garrison comes in with experience and acclaim. The former McDonald’s All-American didn’t find his footing at Oklahoma State, but Pope is banking on unlocking his two-way potential.

These names form the core of Kentucky’s rebuilt team. But perhaps even more significant is the type of player Pope is choosing—not just where they come from, but how they play.

One of the biggest changes under Pope is a shift in philosophy. Under Calipari, Kentucky often recruited the most talented individuals and then figured out the rest. Pope is flipping that approach on its head: fit, maturity, and adaptability come first.

“You need guys who want to win—and are willing to sacrifice to do that,” Pope explained recently. “I’d rather have a transfer who’s hungry than a five-star recruit who’s checking a box.”

That’s not to say Kentucky is abandoning recruiting altogether. The Wildcats are still bringing in high-level freshmen, including five-star guard Jasper Johnson and big man Malachi Moreno. But Pope is focused on building around them with experienced talent—not just handing them the keys on Day One.

The transfer portal has changed everything in college basketball. It used to be that building a title contender took multiple recruiting cycles. Now, a coach can completely retool in one offseason.

Pope is embracing that reality.

In the past, Kentucky fans grew accustomed to rooting for a new team every year due to one-and-done turnover. Ironically, that makes this new model feel oddly familiar—except this time, the players are older, stronger, and in most cases, more prepared for the grind of the SEC.

A 22-year-old transfer with four years of college basketball under his belt is a much different asset than an 18-year-old adjusting to college life. Pope’s roster reflects that logic, and he’s not done yet.

As of May 1st, Kentucky still has one scholarship spot open, and Pope isn’t rushing to fill it. The staff has made it clear they’re looking for the right fit—not just a name to round out the numbers.

Several options are reportedly under consideration, including high-major transfers and international players. There’s even speculation that Pope might leave the spot open, banking it for a mid-season addition or late summer commit.

“I’d rather have 12 guys who are locked in than 13 where one doesn’t want to be here,” Pope said. “Culture comes first.”

Whoever that 13th player is—if there is one—will join a group that has already bought into the vision and intensity Pope is instilling.

Expectations at Kentucky are always high, regardless of the circumstances. Fans will want wins, tournament success, and a team that represents the program with pride. That said, this is a transitional year, and patience will be critical.

Still, Pope’s history suggests he can succeed quickly. He turned Utah Valley into a 25-win team before making BYU a Top 25 program. His teams play hard, shoot well, and buy in on defense—an approach that should resonate with a basketball-hungry fanbase.

If Kentucky can gel quickly, they could easily be a Top 25 team by January. If things break right, they could be playing into the second weekend of March Madness—a major achievement for a team that, just weeks ago, didn’t exist on paper.

Kentucky basketball is in uncharted territory, but it’s also entering an exciting new chapter. The Wildcats aren’t just rebuilding; they’re rebranding.

Under Mark Pope, the focus is no longer on blue-blood prestige or lottery picks. It’s about creating a team that fights, plays smart, and grows together. The transfer portal isn’t a shortcut—it’s a toolbox. And so far, Pope is using it to build something that could last.

The pieces are nearly in place. One more move could complete the puzzle.

But even if it doesn’t, this Kentucky team is already ahead of schedule—and ready to prove it on the court.