When John Calipari became the Kentucky men's basketball coach after the 2008-09 season, he overtook a program that hadn't made it past the second round of the NCAA Tournament in the last four seasons. Calipari made an immediate impact in guiding Kentucky to the Elite Eight in his first year, followed by a Final Four appearance and National Championship in his third season. After a move in which Calipari left Kentucky to become the Arkansas head coach, new Kentucky head coach Mark Pope finds himself in a similar position as when Calipari first started. Kentucky hasn't made it out of the second round of the NCAA Tournament in any of the last four years either.
The Kentucky basketball roster will be heavily dictated by the transfer portal this season. Many of the top 2024 Kentucky basketball recruits have re-opened their commitments as Kentucky currently has a Class of 2024 on the edge of falling outside of the top 100 in the nation, per 247Sports. 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 atCatsPause.comare 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
The 2024 Kentucky basketball roster took a hit when reigning SEC Rookie of the Year, Reed Sheppard, said he is entering the NBA Draft. Sheppard is a projected lottery pick, so this move was possible with or without Calipari as the head coach, but Calipari leaving will certainly make it more challenging to bring in a player of Sheppard's talent. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 12.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game last season while shooting 53.6% from the field. He was the team's third-leading scorer, but he made a huge impact on his ability to space the floor as one of the best 3-point shooters in the country.
Sheppard shot 52.1% from beyond the arc while ranking second on the team in made 3-pointers (75). Sheppard joins Kentucky players like Ugonna Onyenso, Rob Dillingham and Justin Edwards who have declared for the 2024 NBA Draft. D.J. Wagner has joined the extended list of Wildcats in the transfer portal as Kentucky is projected to lose its top 10 leading scorers from last season. Billy Richmond, the No. 22 recruit in the country, became the latest Kentucky signee to decommit when re-opening his recruitment on April 16 as Pope has a lot of work ahead in shaping the 2024-25 Kentucky men's basketball roster.Join CatsPause to see the latest on all of Kentucky's roster changes.
Kentucky basketball news, roster
Every player slated to return from Kentucky's 2023-24 roster played sparingly last year, so Pope needs to add impact players quickly. One of his former signees at BYU, guard Collin Chandler, has committed to join Pope at Kentucky. The Wildcats still have one remaining player from Calipari's 2024 recruiting class -- point guard Travis Perry, the No. 73 player in the nation, per 247Sports.
Jordan Burks, Brennan Canada, Kareem Watkins, Walker Horn, Grant Derbyshire are the other players who, as of now, are expected to return, though none averaged more than 2.0 points per game in 2023-24.
With at least eight scholarships available, Pope will actively look to add to the roster. For example, Pope reportedly has been in contact with TCU transfer JaKobe Coles, and he'll be looking at all options remaining in the 2024 recruiting class and the portal to be competitive immediately in Lexington.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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