Mark Pope's first Kentucky coaching staff continues to come together, as the Wildcats hired Alvin Brooks III as associate head coach. Brooks has spent 20 years coaching college basketball, including the last eight seasons as the top assistant at Baylor. Brooks was the lead recruiter at Baylor and without John Calipari at the helm at Kentucky, Kentucky basketball recruiting could become a tougher challenge. Brooks' presence and skillset could be integral in bringing in top talent from the college basketball transfer portal and high schools for the Wildcats. Baylor had at least one lottery selection over the last three NBA Drafts, so Brooks has proven capable of recruiting elite talent.
Top talent is what Wildcats fans have expected on the floor in Lexington. Pope's staff also includes Mark Fox. Who should Wildcat fans keep an eye on next from Pope to join the Kentucky basketball roster? 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
Kentucky has officially lost Joey Hart, a 6-foot-5 guard who entered the transfer portal after last season. Hart was a finalist for Indiana's Mr. Basketball in his senior season and has transferred back to his home state, playing for Ball State University. Hart only appeared in seven games as a freshman at Kentucky, but could have seen an expanded role with the totally revamped roster at Kentucky.
Reed Sheppard, the reigning SEC Rookie of the Year, highlights the four Kentucky basketball players who have declared for the 2024 NBA Draft. Ugonna Onyenso, Rob Dillingham and Justin Edwards have also declared. Antonio Reeves, the team's leading scorer, is out of eligibility and will also go pro. Pope hasn't had any time to ease into returning to his alma mater as he continues to try to fill Kentucky's roster for a program with lofty expectations every season. Kentucky has made the NCAA Tournament the last three seasons and 29 of the last 33 years and those expectations won't change for fans with Pope taking over. Join CatsPause to see the latest on all of Kentucky's roster changes.
Kentucky basketball news, roster
Andrej Stojakovic, the son of 13-year NBA veteran Peja Stojakovic, has also visited Kentucky after entering the college basketball transfer portal following playing his freshman at Stanford. Stojakovic, a 6-foot-7 guard, averaged 7.8 points and 3.4 rebounds over 22.3 minutes as a freshman. Like his father, Stojakovic is a capable shooter from beyond the arc, averaging 1.1 made 3-pointers while shooting 32.7% from deep as a freshman.
Stojakovic played in the 2023 McDonald's All-American Game after starring at Jesuit High School in California. Along with Kentucky, Stojakovic has North Carolina and Cal in his reported final three schools. Stojakovic would bring a rare combination of size and shooting to help Kentucky run and space the floor if they can land the four-star recruit who was ranked inside the top 25 in the country in his high school class. 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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