Crowe plans to make a decision in December or January.

chrisbeasmore A sports writer for A Sea of Blue. Beasmore helps to cover Kentucky football and basketball recruiting and the big games coming up for Kentucky sports.

One of the top players in the class of 2026 is already feeling the pull of Big Blue Nation.

Jason Crowe Jr., a 6-foot-3, 170-pound 5-star point guard, is one of the most electric prospects in the country, and the Kentucky Wildcats are firmly on his radar.

The standout floor general recently spoke about his recruitment and his impression of the Wildcats under new head coach Mark Pope.

“It’s a great program. Definitely wouldn’t mind going there,” Crowe Jr. told Jack Pilgrim of KSR. “They have a great coach in Coach Pope. They have good guards coming in. They have a good, well-rounded facility, too.”

His father, Jason Crowe Sr., is a close friend of Kentucky assistant Jason Hart. The two were high school teammates together at Inglewood and remained close over the years. Crowe Jr. even described Hart as “like an uncle.” That relationship and familiarity will likely give UK an advantage.

Kentucky isn’t alone in its pursuit. Crowe Jr. also listed Baylor, USC, UCLA, Arkansas, Texas, and Arizona as the other programs recruiting him the hardest. All are national powers vying for one of the most skilled guards in the 2026 class, who is even ranked sixth overall by 247 Sports Composite.

Known for his elite quickness, vision, and leadership, Crowe Jr. continues to rise in the national rankings after a standout sophomore season.

As for his decision timeline, Crowe Jr. says fans won’t have to wait too long.

“I’m probably going to commit before December — either December or January,” Crow Jr. told KSR.

Is Kentucky a top-10 team even if Otega Oweh doesn’t return?

NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional-Kentucky at Tennessee

Mark Pope and his Kentucky Wildcats are gearing up for year two in the new era in Lexington.

Pope has been working hard to reload his veteran roster in the transfer portal and has brought in some young stars like Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno.

One name that is still debating on returning to Lexington or declaring for the draft is Otega Oweh.

Oweh is coming off a breakout season with Pope and the Wildcats and quickly became one of the most important pieces to the team’s success.

SB Nation’s Mike Rutherford believes Oweh is one of 12 NBA Draft decisions that could make or break their respective teams.

Rutherford wrote, “After transferring in from Oklahoma, Oweh was a breakout star for Mark Pope in his first season at Kentucky. The 6’4 guard led the Wildcats in scoring at 16.1 ppg, and consistently showcased an explosive athleticism that the college basketball world had only caught glimpses of during his time in Norman.

“Pope has once again loaded up in the portal, and Kentucky figures to be a preseason top 10 team with or without Oweh, but its national title hopes will receive a significant boost if they can get the elite slasher and on-ball defender back to Lexington for one more run.”

With all the additions to the team’s roster, Rutherford sees Kentucky as a top-10 caliber team with or without Oweh. This is a bold claim, considering some preseason rankings have Kentucky just outside the top 10, even with Oweh expected to return. Kentucky has a world of potential, even without Oweh, but potential doesn’t always equate to wins.

Oweh was Kentucky’s engine last season, especially after the team lost Jaxson Robinson to a season-ending injury, so he would be a massive keeper for a talented roster coming in.

A senior Oweh would instantly be a veteran who has played in Pope’s system, which will only boost this promi

The University of Kentucky has long been synonymous with elite basketball, producing NBA talent and competing for national titles year in and year out. But this season, the Wildcats may possess something truly special: a backcourt that can take them all the way to a national championship. Under the guidance of head coach John Calipari, Kentucky has assembled a guard group that combines speed, skill, and basketball IQ at an elite level — and it’s drawing national attention.

At the heart of this high-powered backcourt is a mix of veteran leadership and dynamic young talent. The floor general, DJ Wagner, brings pedigree and poise. As a third-generation basketball standout, Wagner has shown that he can control the game’s tempo, make the right reads, and score at all three levels. Alongside him is Rob Dillingham, whose electric handle and scoring flair can break down any defense. Together, they form one of the most exciting and unpredictable backcourt duos in the country.

What separates Kentucky’s guards from the rest isn’t just their individual talent, but how they complement each other. Wagner’s steadiness and vision allow Dillingham to freelance and create chaos in transition. Add in Reed Sheppard, a high-IQ combo guard with a knockdown jumper and a relentless motor, and you have a three-headed monster that can play at any pace, guard multiple positions, and shoot the lights out from deep.

One of the keys to Kentucky’s title hopes lies in their ability to execute in the half-court while turning defense into offense. This group thrives in both areas. They apply pressure on the perimeter, forcing turnovers and igniting fast breaks. In the half-court, their spacing, ball movement, and shot-making ability stretch defenses to the breaking point. With Sheppard shooting over 40% from beyond the arc and Dillingham able to score in isolation, opposing teams often have to pick their poison.

Perhaps most importantly, these guards embrace the moment. In tight games, they’ve shown the confidence to take and make big shots. They’re not just stat stuffers — they’re competitors with a championship mindset. Their chemistry is evident on and off the court, and it’s clear they trust each other in crunch time.

Of course, a great backcourt alone doesn’t guarantee a title. But history shows that in March Madness, guards win games — and Kentucky has the type of backcourt that can survive and thrive in the chaos of the NCAA Tournament. With a mix of shot creation, defensive toughness, and fearless leadership, this group has the tools to lead a deep tournament run.

If Kentucky stays healthy and continues to evolve, fans in Lexington and beyond may witness something special. This backcourt isn’t just good — it’s championship caliber. And come March, they might just be the difference between another solid season and cutting down the nets.

Otega Oweh (left) and Koby Brea – Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

Otega Oweh (left) and Koby Brea – Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

The 2025 NBA Draft Combine began Sunday in Chicago, but the real fun starts later this week.

5-on-5 scrimmages begin Wednesday afternoon (and you’ll be able to watch them live on the ESPN app). The four teams that will participate in the scrimmages were announced Monday morning, with both of Kentucky’s representatives making a roster — just not on the same team, unfortunately. Otega Oweh will suit up for Team Lazare while Koby Brea is on Team Mueller.

The 2025 NBA Draft Combine — which also includes team/individual workouts and interviews — runs from May 11-18. While everyone invited to the Combine is required by the NBA to participate, not every player is required to play in 5-on-5 scrimmages. You can see the full team rosters below.

As most of us know by now, Kentucky and head coach Mark Pope are still waiting on Oweh’s draft decision. Will the All-SEC guard embark on his journey to the pros or return to college for his senior season?

The majority of mock drafts have Oweh on the outside looking in of hearing his name called in this year’s 59-pick draft. If he ends up coming back to play for the Wildcats (the deadline to do so is May 28), he’ll be regarded as one of the favorites for Preseason SEC Player of the Year. But a good showing at the Combine this week could potentially push him toward the league.

“I’m all in (on the NBA),” Oweh said last Friday, according to Aaron Fentress of Oregon Live. “I have one more year of (college) eligibility, but my goal is to play in the NBA, so I’m not doing this process one foot in, one foot out.”

There is a good chance that at least one Kentucky Wildcats player gets selected in the 2025 NBA draft this summer. Many analysts agree that Koby Brea will be a second round pick, but could a second Wildcat also be picked? Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman think’s so.

In his latest mock draft, Wasserman has Brea being taken, but he also projects Otega Oweh to be picked in the second round. That might be great news for fans hoping to bring Oweh back for next season, though.

Wasserman has Brea going with the 44th pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder. This is his analysis of the selection:

The list of college players at 6’6″ to shoot 42.0 percent on 700 career attempts is short, and half carved out NBA careers or roles (Allan Houston, Dennis Scott, Jason Kapono, Kyle Korver, Sam Hauser, Steve Novak).

As for Oweh, Wasserman has him being picked with the 59th and final pick of the draft, saying:

Teams could target Otega Oweh late for his powerful physical profile/athleticism, defensive tools and off-ball efficiency making spot-up threes, attacking closeouts and cutting.

Obviously, these mock draft exercises are fun, but ultimately just that. There’s no way to be sure what NBA team are thinking when it comes to those second round picks. Fans will just have to tune in and find out.

Andrew Carr celebrates a play during Kentucky’s win over Illinois in the NCAA Tournament – Mont Dawson, Kentucky Sports Radio

Andrew Carr celebrates a play during Kentucky’s win over Illinois in the NCAA Tournament – Mont Dawson, Kentucky Sports Radio

The streets of Chicago will be busy with Wildcats over the next week.

Kentucky’s Andrew Carr has received an invitation to the 2025 NBA G League Elite Camp, according to the league’s website. The 6-foot-11, 235-pound stretch forward will join a couple of his UK teammates from May 9-11 in Chicago, as Lamont Butler and Amari Williams have also received invites to the event. Kentucky’s incoming transfer guard Jaland Lowe (Pitt) will join them, as well.

The G League Elite Camp precedes the NBA Draft Combine, also held in Chicago from May 11-18, where players will have a chance to prove themselves in front of NBA personnel and potentially secure a spot in the actual Combine. Kentucky’s Otega Oweh and Koby Brea have already been invited to participate in the Combine.

During his lone season with the ‘Cats, Carr averaged 10.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 24 minutes per game. The fifth-year senior, who dealt with a back injury for a good chunk of the season, started 29 of his 35 games played while shooting 54.5 percent from the field, 32.4 percent from deep, and 74.8 percent from the free throw line.

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Carr began his college career at Delaware (2020-22) before transferring to Wake Forest (2022-24). His overall numbers dipped a bit at Kentucky, in large part due to back spasms he suffered during the middle of the season that impacted his play for several weeks and even made him miss a game. But overall, he was a highly important piece in Mark Pope‘s first season as head coach. Carr will long be remembered by the Big Blue Nation as someone who made big shots against great teams in crunch time.

The hope for Carr at the G League Elite Camp is to perform well enough that he secures a spot in the NBA Draft Combine, which begins Sunday. While he’s not listed on any NBA Mock Drafts, Carr is ranked No. 97 in ESPN’s latest NBA Draft Big Board. The 2025 NBA Draft is set for June 25

Kentucky basketball’s Otega Oweh talks to the media after the Wildcats’ 78-65 loss to Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament on March 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. By John Clay

A crucial stretch in the 2025 NBA draft process is right around the corner.

And what happens over the next few days will have a major impact on Mark Pope’s roster for the 2025-26 season.

Of course, from a Kentucky basketball perspective, the most attention during the month of May will be on Otega Oweh, the Wildcats’ leading scorer in Pope’s first season and the only player on UK’s projected roster for next season with a realistic chance of staying in this year’s NBA draft.

Photos of Denzel Aberdeen (left) and Kam Williams via UK Athletics

Photos of Denzel Aberdeen (left) and Kam Williams via UK Athletics

Most of Kentucky’s incoming transfers were on campus over the weekend for their official visits. And what always comes with an official visit? The jersey photoshoot, of course!

On Thursday, future Wildcat guards Denzel Aberdeen and Kam Williams posted their favorite pictures from that locker room shoot to Instagram. Aberdeen went for the black and white filter with Williams, who opted for the sunglasses look, doing the same for a couple of his. Both apparently enjoyed the classic lying-on-the-ground angle, too.

That Kentucky across their chest sure looks nice, doesn’t it?

Aberdeen (Florida) and Williams (Tulane) were joined on campus by fellow transfers Mouhamed Dioubate (Alabama) and Jaland Lowe (Pitt). Head coach Mark Pope even took them all out to Kentucky Proud Park for a day at the ballpark, where the Big Blue Nation quickly made them feel welcome.

Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope talks to the media after the Wildcats’ 78-65 loss to Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament on March 28, 2025, in Indianapolis.

The Kentucky men’s basketball schedule for the 2025-26 season is going to be difficult.

Things won’t be easy for the Wildcats in the preseason either.

The latest high-profile addition to UK’s slate for Mark Pope’s second year in charge of the program was confirmed Friday morning, but it won’t be a regular-season matchup.

Pope’s Wildcats will instead play the Purdue Boilermakers in an exhibition game in Rupp Arena on Oct. 24.

While this one won’t count for the regular-season standings, it’s shaping up to be a battle of two teams with realistic NCAA Tournament championship hopes.

Purdue is No. 3 nationally in the early college basketball rankings from CBS Sports, which has Kentucky at No. 11 in the country at this early stage in the offseason.

The Boilermakers, going into their 21st season under head coach Matt Painter, will be led again by veteran point guard Braden Smith, who will be the only AP first-team All-American returning to college basketball for the 2025-26 campaign.

Smith, who was the subject of transfer rumors this spring — and even linked to Kentucky as a possible portal pickup — announced last month that he would return to Purdue for his senior year. He averaged 15.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game this past season.

Painter will also return Trey Kaufman-Renn, who led the Boilermakers with 20.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game last season, as well as Fletcher Loyer, Daniel Jacobsen and C.J. Cox, who were third, fourth and fifth, respectively, on the Purdue scoring list in 2024-25.

The Boilermakers finished last season with a 24-12 record, nearly upsetting Houston in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament. They advanced to the NCAA title game the previous season.

An early attempt at bracketology projections — posted by ESPN’s Joe Lunardi this week — listed Purdue as the No. 1 overall seed for the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

A change to NCAA rules that was approved earlier this year now allows teams to schedule Division I opponents for regular exhibition games. In previous years, a matchup like this one would have necessitated a special waiver from the NCAA and included a provision that all game proceeds be donated to charity.

Kentucky’s other exhibition game for the 2025-26 season has not yet been made official.

Braden Smith was a first-team All-America point guard for the Purdue Boilermakers during the 2024-25 season.

Kentucky’s 2025-26 basketball schedule

There will also be plenty of marquee opponents for the Wildcats once the real games begin.

UK’s 2025-26 schedule is still in the process of coming together, but several high-major foes are already on the slate. The first major game of the season is expected to be the annual Champions Classic matchup on Nov. 18, when UK will face Michigan State in Madison Square Garden in New York.

The Spartans are No. 14 in the early CBS Sports rankings.

Kentucky will also have a game against Gonzaga — No. 24 in those rankings — on Dec. 5 in Nashville, as well as a road game against Louisville in the Yum Center. The date for that rivalry matchup has not yet been determined, and CBS has the Cardinals at No. 13 in the country.

The UK-Indiana rivalry is also set to resume this year, with the Hoosiers coming to Rupp Arena on Dec. 13.

The following week will bring perhaps the Cats’ toughest test of the season. On Thursday, it was announced that Kentucky will play St. John’s on Dec. 20 in Atlanta as part of a revamped CBS Sports Classic lineup. That game will feature Pope coaching against Rick Pitino, who led UK to the 1996 national championship before later leading Louisville’s program for 16 years. Pope was a captain on that 1996 title team.

St. John’s is ranked No. 2 on the early list from CBS Sports.

And the Wildcats will also be part of the ACC/SEC Challenge for the third consecutive year, likely to end up with a marquee opponent in that showcase. Though the matchups and locations for that event have not yet been announced, UK is expected to get hosting rights in Rupp Arena after traveling to Clemson last season.

With no games against Duke or North Carolina elsewhere on the schedule, the ACC/SEC Challenge organizers could pit one of those blue-bloods against the Wildcats.

Kentucky is also sure to face a difficult, 18-game schedule in the SEC, which put a record 14 teams in the NCAA Tournament this year. UK had the third-toughest schedule in the country in Pope’s first season, according to the KenPom ratings.