The Kentucky Wildcats will have a new look when the 2024-25 college basketball season tips off. After 15 seasons and 410 total wins, John Calipari left Kentucky to become the head coach at Arkansas. Kentucky hired Mark Pope, a former standout player for the Wildcats, away from BYU to replace Calipari. Calipari guided the Wildcats to four Final Four appearances and one national title and turned Kentucky into a national college basketball recruiting juggernaut. When Calipari left Lexington, the Wildcats' future became very murky. Multiple Class of 2024 signees opted to follow Calipari, as did center Zvonimir Ivisic, who averaged 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in limited action during his freshman campaign at Kentucky.
Where will Pope turn to build his 2024-25 Kentucky basketball roster and Kentucky basketball recruiting class? 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
The 2024-25 Kentucky basketball roster is quickly starting to take shape, as Pope landed another key player earlier this week. San Diego State transfer Lamont Butler, the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year last season, committed to Kentucky as one of the top players from the college basketball transfer portal. He averaged 9.3 points, 3.0 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 27.6 minutes per game and has played in 11 career NCAA Tournament games.
Kentucky's defense is already looking like a strength, as three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year Amari Williams also committed earlier this month. He averaged 12.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 blocks per game for Drexel last season. Pope also has a pair of recruits committed in Travis Perry and Collin Chandler and is hosting multiple visitors in the coming days. Join CatsPause to see the latest on all of Kentucky's roster changes.
Kentucky basketball news, roster
After some initial uncertainty, Pope silenced some skeptics when he landed a pair of highly coveted players in the Spring Transfer Portal. Kentucky kicked things off by signing former Oklahoma State center Brandon Garrison, who was ranked as a five-star prospect in the Class of 2023. The 6-foot-11, 245-pound big man averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game during his freshman season, and will give the Wildcats a physically imposing presence in the paint.
Pope's other notable addition from the portal was former Dayton guard Koby Brea. In his four years playing for the Flyers, Brea developed into one of the premier long-range shooters in college basketball. In 2023-24, Brea connected on 49.8% of his 3-point attempts and averaged 11.1 points per game. He should fit seamlessly into Pope's fast-paced offense that is heavily reliant on 3-point shooting. 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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