Basketball
As the transfer portal dries up, Kentucky’s roster is looking pretty underwhelming. While at least four players are returning next season — the Wildcats are still awaiting Malachi Moreno’s decision as he goes through the NBA draft process — seven others have entered the transfer portal and have found new teams.
While Mark Pope and his coaching staff secured commitments from four new players via the portal, the moves weren’t big splashes and the roster leaves a lot to be desired. Where do Pope and Co. go from here?
Basketball 4 Transfer Portal Players Mark Pope Can Still Pursue During the Offseason
Kentucky reportedly expressed interest in a ton of players, but after missing on Donnie Freeman, Robert Wright III, and others, the Wildcats ultimately settled on guards Zoom Diallo (Washington), Alex Wilkins (Furman), and Jerone Morton (Washington State), along with forward Justin McBride (James Madison).
This transfer-portal haul is underwhelming, particularly for the Wildcats given their resources and brand. A former Kentucky beat reporter called the roster a “bottom-five team in the SEC” unless the Wildcats land a key portal acquisition. With Pope looking to make a splash, here are four available transfers the Wildcats should try to add.
Pope Can One-Up Rick Pitino by Securing Joson Sanon
During the transfer portal window, Kentucky and St. John’s were fierce contenders for the commitment of Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman, who ultimately chose Pope’s former coach and Red Storm bench tactician, Rick Pitino, as his new head coach.
Pope, captain of the 1996 Wildcats team that won the national championship, can exact revenge on his old mentor by pursuing and securing Joson Sanon’s commitment.
The 6’5″ guard struggled during his sophomore season at St. John’s, averaging 7.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per game while shooting 33.8% from the field. He could have a chance at Kentucky as an off-the-bench guard who could be used in three-guard packages alongside Wilkins and Diallo.
Can Jordan Burks Make A Triumphant Return to Lexington?
Jordan Burks played his freshman season at Kentucky in 2023-24. Former coach John Calipari seldom used the 6’9″ forward, who appeared in 20 games and averaged 1.9 points and 1.7 rebounds. He transferred to Georgetown in 2024-25 and then to UCF this past season.
Burks broke out in his third season as a college player, averaging 13.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 33 games for the Knights. He entered the transfer portal on April 23, and Pope and his coaching staff should try to convince him to return to redeem himself and help his original team surpass its second-round exit in the NCAA Tournament.
There Is Still a Chance of Securing Milan Momcilovic’s Commitment
Like Moreno, Momcilovic is testing the NBA Draft waters. He is currently projected as a second-round pick, so there’s a chance he returns to school if his draft stock doesn’t improve.
While Moreno is expected to return to Kentucky if he withdraws from the draft, Momcilovic entered the transfer portal in addition to declaring, and the latest rumblings are that he will leave Iowa State if he does return to college.
Momcilovic is arguably the top player in the transfer portal and the best shooter in the nation, so he’s the exact kind of splash that Pope needs to settle down the fan base.
The Iowa State shooter fits Pope’s free-flowing offensive style, which emphasizes outside shooting. Last season, Momcilovic averaged 16.9 points on 48.7% shooting from 3-point range, along with 3.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game.
The Case For A Vyctorius Miller SEC Return
Vyctorius Miller played his freshman year at LSU, an SEC school, appearing in 25 games and averaging 8.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. However, he transferred to Oklahoma State after the 2024-25 season and posted better numbers there.
Miller started in 26 of 32 games for the Cowboys, averaging 10.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. The 6’5″ shooting guard also improved his 3-point shooting, making 37.5% of his attempts from deep.
His uptick in long-range accuracy could pique Pope’s interest, as Kentucky is looking for an additional spark off the bench and shooting to improve spacing.
Read More Geoff Latayan