Kentucky basketball is one of the most storied teams in collegiate sports and for just the fifth time in the last 35 years, the Wildcats will break in a new head coach. John Calipari left for Arkansas after 15 years and athletic director Mitch Barnhart turned to BYU coach Mark Pope to take on the challenge of leading the Kentucky basketball roster. Pope won a national championship at Kentucky as a player under Rick Pitino and is 187-108 over nine seasons as a head coach at Utah Valley State and BYU.
However, Pope's biggest undertaking will be building a Kentucky basketball lineup since Calipari's exit led to every scholarship player on the roster leaving the program. Pope has already hit the college basketball transfer portal hard and has commitments in the Class of 2024, but there's still plenty of work to be done on the Kentucky basketball recruiting trail. 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
With a need for experienced players who can hit the ground running in a conference that sent eight teams to the NCAA tournament last season, Pope has focused on the college basketball transfer portal heavily this spring to build his first roster. He's already secured eight commitments in the spring transfer portal and he continues to work that trail hard, with BYU guard Jaxson Robinson showing interest in joining Pope at Kentucky if he decides to pull out of the 2024 NBA Draft.
Robinson would be another strong addition to a class that already includes Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year Lamont Butler Jr. (SDSU) and CAA Defensive Player of the Year Amari Williams (Duquesne). They'll join A-10 Sixth Man of the Year Koby Brea (Dayton), Otega Oweh (Oklahoma), Kerr Kriisa (West Virginia), Brandon Garrison (Oklahoma State), Andrew Carr (Wake Forest) and Ansley Almonor (Fairleigh Dickinson) on the Kentucky roster in 2024-25. Pope also signed in-state Class of 2024 prospects Travis Perry and Trent Noah. 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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