2025-26 Kentucky men’s basketball players – Chet White, UK Athletics
2025-26 Kentucky men’s basketball players – Chet White, UK Athletics
Mark Pope doesn’t seem the slightest bit concerned about his backcourt situation going into the 2025-26 season.
“I think we have a chance to have a really dynamic backcourt,” Pope told reporters Monday. “Guys that are really capable of making multiple moves to make plays in the backcourt. And I think this team has a chance to really pass the ball at an elite level.”
The injury bug took multiple bites at Kentucky’s backcourt last season. Kerr Kriisa sat out for most of the season, Jaxson Robinson missed a dozen games, and Lamont Butler was in and out of the lineup during SEC play. Pope found ways to make the offense work anyway. This time around, he should even more guard options to help ease any potential injury issues.
Jaland Lowe was brought in from Pitt to take over as the Wildcats’ starting point guard, and the early chatter is he’s excelled during summer practices. He brings a different flavor to Kentucky’s offense compared to Butler that should trickle down to his teammates. But Pope believes he’s not the only one who can step in as the lead guard and direct the offense.
“I have a really talented backcourt. I have so many options,” Pope explained. “Otega (Oweh)‘s played some minutes at the one, Collin Chandler has played a lot of minutes at the one. Jasper Johnson‘s completely capable of playing the one. I think DA (Denzel Aberdeen) is very comfortable playing the one. We’re in a little bit of a different scenario than we felt like we were in most of the season last year. We have so many capable options.”
Adding to that, last season’s Kentucky team lacked having multiple players who could create their own shots and consistently make plays. Pope doesn’t see that being the case in the 2025-26 campaign.
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