Kentucky hasn't won an SEC Tournament since the 2017-18 college basketball season, but a new head coach could change that. Kentucky won four straight SEC Tournament championships under coach John Calipari. However, the Wildcats have failed to win the last four SEC tournaments and are in the midst of their second-longest stretch without winning an SEC Tournament over the 21st century. Calipari making the move from Kentucky to Arkansas shocked the college basketball world, but time will tell if it was a move best for both sides. When Calipari left, nearly all of his Class of 2024 Kentucky basketball recruits did as well, leaving new head coach Mark Pope scrambling to fill his 2024-25 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
No sooner had Calipari departed Kentucky that a number of Wildcats from last year's roster were on the move as well. Aaron Bradshaw was the first to commit to a new team when he joined the Ohio State Buckeyes, while Zvonimir Ivisic became the first player from last season to follow Calipari to Arkansas. Calipari is also reportedly encouraging Bradshaw's high school teammate, D.J. Wagner, to join the Razorbacks.
The transfer portal isn't the only reason the Wildcats roster will look different next season. Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell, who were two of Kentucky's top scorers last season, are both graduating. Meanwhile, Justin Edwards, Rob Dillingham and Ugonna Onyenso have all declared for the 2024 NBA Draft. There is also movement within the recruiting class, so Pope's roster is clearly far from solidified for the 2024-25 season. Join CatsPause to see the latest on all of Kentucky's roster changes.
Kentucky basketball news, roster
Although the entire Kentucky roster from last season entered the transfer portal or graduated without remaining eligibility, Pope has brought talent into Lexington in his first year as head coach. The seven players Kentucky brought in from the transfer portal rank No. 5 in the nation by 247Sports, highlighted by two top-30 transfer portal recruits by 247Sports rankings.
The Wildcats added a pair of players from the state of Oklahoma with 6-foot-11 Oklahoma State center Brandon Garrison and 6-foot-5 Oklahoma guard Otega Oweh. Both were four-star recruits out of high school. Garrison averaged 7.5 points per game as a freshman and Oweh averaged 11.4 as a sophomore last year. Both bring talent with multiple years of eligibility to Lexington who could help Pope shape a culture for multiple seasons. They'll also be immediate impact players for the Wildcats in the new regime in what is becoming one of the top conferences in college basketball. 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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