As the Kentucky Wildcats enter their second week of offseason roster adjustments, they remain active in the transfer portal, aiming to add experience and scoring depth. Among the prospects they have identified is Jaron Pierre Jr., the reigning Conference USA Player of the Year and a standout transfer from Jacksonville State. The 6-foot-5, 188-pound guard has attracted considerable attention from high-major programs, including Kentucky, Ole Miss, and SMU.
A Versatile and Experienced Guard
Pierre’s collegiate journey has been marked by adaptation and growth. Beginning at Southern Miss, he later transferred to Wichita State before finding his stride at Jacksonville State. Now, with one final year of eligibility, he seeks a program where he can maximize his impact. His ability to transition between multiple teams and still maintain high-level performance underscores his experience and adaptability-attributes that make him a valuable asset to any team.
Pierre’s 2024-25 season at Jacksonville State showcased his scoring prowess, as he led Conference USA with an average of 21.6 points per game. His efficiency was equally notable, shooting 42.4% from the field and 38% from three-point range. Beyond his scoring, he contributed 5.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game, demonstrating his well-rounded skill set.
His efforts earned him the title of Conference USA Player of the Year, cementing his status as one of the top mid-major talents available in the portal. With programs seeking players who can make an immediate impact, Pierre has emerged as a top target for several high-profile teams.
Kentucky’s Interest
Reports from CBS Sports Insider Jon Rothstein indicate that Pierre recently visited SMU and is set to meet with Ole Miss and Kentucky soon. Kentucky officially expressed interest earlier this week, as they look to add scoring depth under new head coach Mark Pope. Having already secured Kam Williams via the portal, the Wildcats remain on the lookout for additional offensive firepower, and Pierre fits that profile.
However, Kentucky faces strong competition. Ole Miss, under Chris Beard, is aiming to strengthen its roster, while SMU is aggressively recruiting in preparation for its ACC transition. Pierre’s visit to Lexington will be a key factor in his decision-making process.
Looking Ahead
With a recruiting dead period in effect from April 3 to April 10, teams will have to wait before making in-person pitches. Once the dead period lifts, Pierre is expected to finalize his decision. The Wildcats, along with other suitors, remain in contention as they await the next move from one of the top available scoring guards in the nation.
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.
It’s now been a week since the first Kentucky season of the Mark Pope era ended.
The wait continues to find out who, exactly, will be a Wildcat for the 2025-26 campaign.
For UK basketball fans hoping to see more roster continuity within the program moving forward, no news is good news. And, while the wait will go on for a little while longer, there should be a lot more clarity on Pope’s depth chart soon.
As of now, it still appears likely that Kentucky will return several players from the 2024-25 roster. Otega Oweh, Brandon Garrison, Collin Chandler, Trent Noah and Travis Perry all have college eligibility remaining beyond this season, and all five of those players are still expected to be back with the Wildcats for at least one more year.
With each of these players, there are some important dates to circle on the calendar.
The first is April 22, the final day for college basketball players to enter their names in the NCAA transfer portal.
As of now, UK has no plans to make individual announcements that players will be returning to the program for the 2025-26 season. The assumption is that the five aforementioned players will be back with the Wildcats unless they make a personal announcement otherwise.
So far, none of those players have said anything that would amount to an official proclamation of their intention to be back in Lexington, but there’s also no real reason for them to do so at this stage, given their previous comments.
Noah and Perry, both Kentucky natives, made it clear in the aftermath of UK’s loss to Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament that they would be back for their sophomore seasons, and Pope made it clear on his final weekly radio show Monday night that he expects them to return.
Chandler, the other freshman on UK’s 2024-25 roster, has been the subject of transfer rumors — back to his home state of Utah — since before the season even began, but he has had nothing but praise for Pope and his experience at Kentucky, and he’s said nothing to indicate that he intends to leave the program this offseason.
Garrison, the Cats’ backup 5 this past season, has also been surrounded by transfer rumors — and a possible testing of the NBA draft process — but Pope has been steadfast in his declaration that the 6-foot-10 forward will have a prominent role in the future of his program, and Garrison told the Herald-Leader after the loss to Tennessee that he “for sure” expects to be back at UK if he returns to college basketball.
“I’ve loved it here,” he said in the postgame locker room that night.
Oweh — the Cats’ leading scorer in Pope’s first season — has, by all accounts, been overly pleased with his role at Kentucky and his time spent in Lexington so far, and he appears to be a slam dunk to return, if he doesn’t head to the NBA draft.
So, if April 22 comes and goes — the portal entry deadline is 11:59 p.m. EDT that day — and none of these players have entered their names, it means they will be back at Kentucky.
Unless they enter the NBA draft.
Oweh and Garrison are the only candidates to go that route, and neither is projected among the 59 picks in this year’s draft. That doesn’t mean they won’t test the waters, though they also don’t have to officially declare for the draft to receive feedback from NBA decision-makers.
The deadline to enter the draft is 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 26, but players such as Oweh and Garrison can request written feedback from NBA teams before taking that step. This initial assessment tells a player how high he’s most likely to be drafted — or if he’s not viewed as a draft pick at all — and the player can decide from there whether to declare for the draft or return to school for another season.
Oweh appears the most likely to work his way into draft range this year, though he’s not particularly close to being among the top 59 picks, according to most prominent draft boards.
If Oweh does decide to go deeper into the process, he could declare for the draft, work out for and meet with NBA teams in person, and perhaps earn an invite to the NBA Combine (or the G League Combine).
The NCAA’s draft withdrawal deadline this year will be 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 28 — 10 days after the end of the NBA Combine — so a final decision would have to be made by that time.
It’s possible that Oweh’s decision — and possibly even Garrison’s — could stretch out to that date, but a lot more clarity on the stay-or-go decisions for all of Kentucky’s current players should be reached by that portal deadline date of April 22.
Kentucky guard Otega Oweh led the Wildcats in scoring this past season and could be back for one more year with Mark Pope’s program. Ryan C.
Kentucky point guard options
The Wildcats’ roster should be plenty talented next season, with the expected returnees, plus three top-30 recruits — combo guards Jasper Johnson and Acaden Lewis, and McDonald’s All-American center Malachi Moreno — along with transfer wing Kam Williams, a freshman at Tulane this past season who possesses NBA-level upside.
UK is still pursuing a long list of frontcourt players in the portal, but what the Cats don’t have is a clear starting point guard for next season.
One early lead guard target — Silas Demary Jr., a former Georgia player — committed to UConn on Thursday afternoon. UK was tied to former UNLV guard Dedan Thomas Jr. in the opening days of portal season, but the Cats backed off of that pursuit. Thomas has since committed to LSU.
Purdue point guard Braden Smith — a first-team All-American this season — still hasn’t put his name in the transfer portal, and each passing day with no change there makes it more likely that he will return to the Boilermakers for his final season of college basketball.
Some other options on the radar are Pittsburgh’s Jaland Lowe and Jacksonville State’s Jaron Pierre Jr., but nothing seems imminent in either of those cases.
Another interesting possibility hit the transfer portal Friday morning, with Princeton point guard Xaivian Lee throwing his name into the mix. Lee — a 6-4 senior to be from Toronto — averaged 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game for the Tigers this past season. He made 59 3-pointers and shot 36.6% from long range.
Lee is likely to be one of the most coveted point guards in the portal and would be an intriguing fit for the Wildcats.
Louisville’s future backcourt
As the wait continues for Kentucky’s roster situation to clear up, the Cats’ in-state rivals have been hitting the transfer portal hard in recent days.
Pat Kelsey’s Louisville Cardinals might just end up with the best backcourt in all of college basketball for the 2025-26 season. They landed another big one Thursday afternoon.
Former Virginia sharpshooter Isaac McKneely — a player who was once linked to UK as a high school recruit — committed to Kelsey, who had already landed former Kennesaw State guard Adrian Wooley and former Xavier guard Ryan Conwell.
Kelsey likes for his teams to put up lots of 3-pointers, and this trio won’t be shy about that. This past season, McKneely was 101-for-240 from deep, with Conwell going 99-for-240 and Wooley at 73-for-173. That’s a total of 273 3-pointers at a rate of 41.8%.
To put that in perspective, Louisville’s entire team made 320 3-pointers this season. (And Kentucky’s made 317.)
A blue-blood exodus
It was a season to forget for Bill Self and the Kansas Jayhawks, and those bad vibes are extending into the first few weeks of the offseason.
KU was ranked No. 1 in the preseason AP Top 25 poll before an underwhelming 2024-25 campaign ended with a 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament and a first-round loss to John Calipari’s Arkansas Razorbacks.
Since then, Jayhawks have been flying into the transfer portal left and right.
At last count, six Kansas players with remaining eligibility had entered the portal, including Rylan Griffen and AJ Storr — high-profile transfers from last year — plus highly touted freshman Flory Bidunga.
And the Jayhawks were already set to lose their top four scorers — Hunter Dickinson, Zeke Mayo, KJ Adams Jr. and Dajuan Harris Jr. — who are all out of NCAA eligibility.
In all, Self will have to replace his top 11 scorers off the 2024-25 roster — a total rebuilding job for a 62-year-old, Hall of Fame coach with two national championships on his résumé.
Kansas has no transfer portal commitments so far, though Self does have a commitment from five-star guard Darryn Peterson, the No. 2 overall recruit in the 2025 class. He’s KU’s only McDonald’s All-American in this cycle.
John Calipari’s offseason
Meanwhile, another Hall of Fame coach is also 0-for-the transfer portal so far with a roster rebuild on the docket for this offseason.
For John Calipari, that’s an annual occurrence.
Arkansas is losing Johnell Davis and Jonas Aidoo to exhausted eligibility. Adou Thiero and Boogie Fland are both projected as NBA draft picks this year (though neither has made an announcement yet). Zvonimir Ivisic has already jumped into the transfer portal.
What happens beyond that will be interesting to watch.
The other key Razorbacks with remaining eligibility are former UK point guard D.J. Wagner, ex-Kentucky recruits Karter Knox and Billy Richmond III, and forward Trevon Brazile.
Calipari also has commitments from McDonald’s All-Americans Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas, though he has no transfer portal additions … yet.
Arkansas went 8-10 in the SEC before a surprise run to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in Calipari’s first season with the Razorbacks. Will he be able to get a little more roster continuity for year two?
Even if he does, the former UK coach will need to make a splash in the portal.
This story was originally published April 4, 2025 at 6:30 AM.
As the transfer portal reshapes college basketball rosters, the Kentucky Wildcats actively pursue one of the most dynamic guards available, Pittsburgh transfer Jaland Lowe. According to KSR’s Jack Pilgrim, Kentucky head coach Mark Pope and assistant coach Alvin Brooks III met with Lowe on Wednesday, signaling serious interest in the talented playmaker. With two years of eligibility remaining, Lowe has the potential to be a key addition to the Wildcats’ backcourt.
Lowe’s Impact and Growth at Pitt
Lowe has steadily developed into one of the most versatile guards in the nation. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 175 pounds, he made a significant leap in his sophomore season at Pitt, averaging 16.8 points, 5.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game while logging 35.5 minutes per contest. His all-around contributions earned him third-team All-ACC honors, highlighting his ability to influence games beyond just scoring.
One of Lowe’s standout performances came when he recorded a triple-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a win over VMI. His ability to distribute the ball and make plays for others is a major asset, though his shooting efficiency, 37.6% from the field and 26.6% from three, remains an area for improvement. Even on off-shooting nights, Lowe impacts the game with his rebounding, defense, and court vision.
Why Kentucky is Targeting Lowe
With the Wildcats undergoing roster changes, Lowe presents an appealing option for a team in need of experience at the point guard position. His ability to initiate the offense, control tempo, and defend at a high level makes him an ideal candidate to lead a team that values pace and playmaking.
Additionally, Lowe’s skill set aligns well with the type of uptempo, high-energy basketball Kentucky aims to play under Pope. If surrounded by capable shooters and an efficient offensive system, Lowe could maximize his potential and elevate his game even further.
Competitive Recruitment and Lowe’s Next Move
While Kentucky is showing strong interest, they are not the only program vying for Lowe’s commitment. According to 247Sports analyst Travis Branham, schools such as North Carolina, Ole Miss, Miami, and Texas are also in the mix. Lowe entered the portal with a “do not contact” tag, suggesting he has a shortlist of preferred programs.
Lowe’s combination of scoring, playmaking, and defensive intensity makes him one of the most intriguing players in the transfer portal. As he weighs his options, Kentucky’s coaching staff is making a strong push to bring him to Lexington. Whether Lowe ultimately chooses the Wildcats or another program, his next move will be closely watched across the college basketball landscape.
The 78 Cats won a national title defeating the Duke Blue Devils behind 41 from Goose Givens. However, who remembers who scored the last basket of that game? James Lee is the answer, and just a year prior he had a dunk that is still talked about by anyone who has seen it. Find out what went down.
March 27, 1978; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; Kentucky Wildcats center Rick Robey (53) guard James Lee (32) and Jack Givens (21) celebrate a victory over the Duke Blue Devils during the championship game for the 1978 NCAA men basketball tournament. Kentucky beat Duke 94-88.
March 27, 1978; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; Kentucky Wildcats center Rick Robey (53) guard James Lee (32) and Jack Givens (21) celebrate a victory over the Duke Blue Devils during the championship game for the 1978 NCAA men basketball tournament. Kentucky beat Duke 94-88.
When you think of the greatest dunks in Kentucky basketball history, a few names come to mind. James Young’s one-handed hammer in the 2014 national championship game. Dirk Minnifield’s jaw-dropping aerial displays in the early ‘80s. Even Otega Oweh’s explosive slams this past season. But one dunk—the best dunk you’ve probably never seen—belongs to James Lee in an exhibition game against the Soviet Union in 1977.
The Forgotten Slam of James Lee
Kentucky fans will always remember Jack “Goose” Givens’ 41-point masterpiece in the 1978 national championship game against Duke. But few recall who scored the final basket of that game—James Lee.
A second-round pick in the 1978 NBA Draft, Lee was known for his explosiveness, power, and fearlessness at the rim. And while his name might not appear on highlight reels today, those lucky enough to be inside Memorial Coliseum in 1977 saw something they’d never forget.
Kentucky vs. the Soviet Union: A Night for the Ages
The 1977 Soviet Union national team was no joke. Fresh off a silver medal at EuroBasket 1976, they came to Lexington as one of the most physically dominant squads in international basketball. Kentucky, however, wasn’t intimidated. The Wildcats ran them off the floor in a 109-75 rout.
Stats from that game are nearly impossible to find. It was an exhibition, and record-keeping wasn’t exactly a priority. But ask anyone who was in attendance, and they won’t tell you about the score—they’ll tell you about James Lee’s dunk.
A Dunk That Defied Physics
The Soviets had size. Their roster included towering rim protectors like 7’2” Aleksander Belostenny and possibly 7’4” Vladimir Tkachenko—both legendary European big men. Kentucky had athleticism and speed, but in this moment, Lee had something more: sheer, unstoppable force.
Lee took flight. He rose toward the rim, and a massive Soviet center slid over to challenge him. Mistake.
Lee met the defender at the summit, powering through his outstretched arm as if it were a paper towel. The ball crashed through the hoop, the Soviet big man crumpled to the floor, and the crowd exploded. The rim nearly came off, as did the roof. The defender? Reports vary—some say he was left shaking his arm in pain. Others insist he simply wanted no part of Lee after that.
But here’s the thing: there’s no video. No footage, no film, no highlights. Just the stories passed down from those who saw it live. “You had to be there.”
The Legend Grows
For decades, Minnifield’s aerial artistry has been the gold standard for Kentucky dunks. And make no mistake—Dirk’s place at the top is well-earned. But talk to the old-timers, and they’ll tell you it’s a much closer race than you think.
If video of James Lee’s dunk existed, it might be playing on an endless loop in Rupp Arena. Instead, it’s become a ghost story, a piece of Kentucky lore only passed down through those who witnessed it firsthand.
So, the next time you find someone who was in Memorial Coliseum that night, ask them about James Lee’s dunk. Watch their eyes light up.
Because sometimes, the best moments in basketball aren’t the ones you can find on YouTube. They’re the ones that live on in the memories of those who were lucky enough to see them.
Kentucky watched as Brock retired, Boley looked up and down, Wimsatt left and Kentucky recruited Zach Calzada to join the room. Where do the Cats stand?
Incarnate Word quarterback Zach Calzada (1) looks to throw against the ACU defense. The Cardinals beat ACU 27-20 in the non-conference game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Wildcat Stadium in Abilene.
Incarnate Word quarterback Zach Calzada (1) looks to throw against the ACU defense. The Cardinals beat ACU 27-20 in the non-conference game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Wildcat Stadium in Abilene.
A Crowded but Intriguing QB Room
As Kentucky football gears up for spring practice, the biggest storyline centers around the quarterback position. The Wildcats have a mix of experience, talent, and potential, but the battle for the starting job remains wide open. With spring practice set to begin, all eyes are on Zach Calzada, Cutter Boley, Beau Allen, and Brennen Ward to see who emerges as the leader of the offense.
The Veteran: Zach Calzada
When Kentucky landed Zach Calzada as a graduate transfer, it sent a clear message: Mark Stoops wants experience under center. Calzada has taken a winding road to Lexington, playing at Texas A&M, Auburn, and Incarnate Word before arriving at Kentucky for his final season of eligibility.
His most notable stretch came in 2021, when he stepped in for an injured Haynes King at Texas A&M and led the Aggies to a stunning upset of No. 1 Alabama. That season, he threw for 2,185 yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 10 starts. After brief stints at Auburn and Incarnate Word, he revived his career in 2023, throwing for 3,744 yards, 35 touchdowns, and nine picks while completing 65.5% of his passes.
Calzada’s ability to produce at a high level—especially in a pass-heavy system—offers promise. If he can replicate his Incarnate Word success in the SEC, Kentucky’s offense could take a significant leap forward. The Wildcats have never had a 3,000-yard passer under Mark Stoops, but Calzada has the arm talent and experience to break that trend. But Bush Hamdan may have other plans with a run heavy approach looking most likely.
The Future: Cutter Boley
The other major contender for the starting job is Cutter Boley, a former four-star recruit with offers from nearly every major program. Boley made brief appearances last season, completing 26 of 53 passes for 338 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions.
Despite the modest numbers, Boley has shown flashes of why he was such a highly sought-after prospect. He possesses a strong arm, good size (6’5″, 210 lbs), and a natural feel for the game. He also carries confidence, having spoken about wanting to achieve something special at Kentucky. But the interceptions thrown in the Lousiville game put a damper on the coronation.
While Boley is considered the future of the program, the question is whether that future begins this season. If he impresses in spring practice, Stoops could have a tough decision on his hands.
The Returnee: Beau Allen
A familiar name to Kentucky fans, Beau Allen was once a hometown hero when he initially signed with the Wildcats. After transferring to Georgia Southern and Tarleton State, Allen returned to Kentucky as a transfer last year and will play out his Covid extended year at Kentucky as a grad student.
At Tarleton State in 2022, he threw for 2,836 yards and 23 touchdowns, earning WAC Newcomer of the Year honors. While he isn’t expected to win the starting job, his experience and knowledge of the program make him a valuable depth piece.
The Wild Card: Brennen Ward
Incoming freshman Brennen Ward isn’t expected to compete for the starting job immediately, but he’s a name to watch for the future. The three-star recruit from Ohio put up strong high school numbers, throwing for 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns in just eight games as a senior. He’s likely to redshirt this season, but his development will be something to track long-term.
Who Has the Edge?
With Calzada’s experience and one year of eligibility remaining, he appears to have the inside track for the starting job. Kentucky didn’t bring him in as a grad transfer to sit on the bench, and his ability to stretch the field could make him the best option.
Boley, however, is the biggest threat to push him. If the young quarterback takes a major step forward this spring, Stoops may decide to roll with his quarterback of the future now rather than later.
Ward is likely to redshirt, while Allen serves as a veteran third option. However, with the transfer portal always looming, the loser of the battle between Calzada and Boley could look elsewhere for playing time before the season begins.
What’s Next?
With no official word on a Spring Game yet, it remains to be seen how much fans will get to see of this quarterback battle before the fall. Stoops has expressed interest in holding one, but plans haven’t been finalized.
For now, the competition remains tight-lipped, as is typical under Stoops. But one thing is clear—Kentucky’s quarterback room is deeper and more intriguing than it has been in years. Whether it’s Calzada’s experience, Boley’s upside, or a surprise contender, this battle will shape the Wildcats’ 2025 season in a big way.
In our In the Spotlight stories, Herald-Leader journalists bring you continuing coverage of news and events important to our Central Kentucky community. Read more. Story idea?
Starting Thursday, there won’t be any more potential basketball transfers on Kentucky’s campus.
This is the day that the NCAA’s “dead period” begins, and that means college coaches who have been searching the transfer portal for possible additions for next season — i.e. every college coach in the country — won’t be permitted to meet in person with recruits, on or off campus.
That won’t put a total pause on the portal madness — coaches, players, agents and anyone else with a stake in roster movement this offseason will still be permitted to work the phones, which will still be buzzing at all hours — but it does mean Kentucky won’t be hosting any recruits for campus visits.
The dead period will last through April 10, making April 11 the next day that college coaches will be permitted to bring recruits back on campus (and get on the road themselves to meet with potential additions off campus).
Once that recruiting period begins April 11, it will be open until the end of the month. Off-campus recruiting will shut down for good starting May 1, though campus visits will still be allowed for portions of May, June, July and August.
It’s a good bet, however, that the majority of Kentucky’s 2025-26 roster will be in place by the end of the April recruiting period, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Wildcats pick up some more commitments during the dead period.
As of now, UK’s only pledge out of the transfer portal is former Tulane wing Kam Williams, who committed to the Cats on the morning of Kentucky’s loss to Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament last week.
The Herald-Leader confirmed that UK hosted only two potential transfers on campus before the dead period kicked in Thursday. Those visitors were former Florida State forward Taylor Bol Bowen and former Indiana forward Mackenzie Mgbako.
Pope and his staff did recruit off campus over the past several days, however.
With the Kentucky coaches unable to meet with players in person during the dead period, they’ll be headed to San Antonio — the site of the Final Four — for the annual NABC convention for college coaches, an event that runs Thursday through Monday.
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope is working with his staff to build the Wildcats’ roster for the 2025-26 season.
Kentucky head coach Mark Pope is working with his staff to build the Wildcats’ roster for the 2025-26 season.
One of the first major transfer portal names linked to Kentucky in this cycle was former Georgia guard Silas Demary Jr. — a 6-foot-5 sophomore who would give Pope some of the size, physicality and defensive presence he’s looking for this spring.
Demary was such a serious immediate target for the Wildcats that several members of the UK coaching staff hit the road to pay him a visit within 24 hours of the Cats’ season-ending loss to Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament.
It doesn’t sound like Demary will end up at Kentucky.
As of Wednesday night, UConn had emerged as the favorite to land his commitment, with BYU and St. John’s as other potential options and the Wildcats seemingly no longer a serious landing spot. BYU, of course, was the program Pope coached for the five seasons before coming to Lexington, and St. John’s is now coached by Rick Pitino, who landed a commitment from former UK player Bryce Hopkins earlier in the week.
UConn won the national title in 2023 and 2024 before being ousted by Florida in the second round of this year’s NCAA Tournament last month. Coach Dan Hurley already has three McDonald’s All-Americans set to join the Huskies’ program for next season.
Kentucky is still searching for a starting point guard next season to replace Lamont Butler, who is out of NCAA eligibility. Backup point guard Kerr Kriisa entered the transfer portal Monday.
UAB forward Yaxel Lendeborg averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.7 steals per game for the Blazers this past season.
UAB forward Yaxel Lendeborg averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.7 steals per game for the Blazers this past season.
New transfer portal rankings
247Sports dropped its first official transfer portal rankings for 2025 on Wednesday.
The player in the No. 1 spot is former UAB forward Yaxel Lendeborg, who has one season of NCAA eligibility remaining, though he’s projected as a possible first-round pick in this year’s NBA draft and is still exploring a possible jump to the pros.
Lendeborg met with Mark Pope this week and has now had multiple conversations with the UK coaching staff since entering the transfer portal. A 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward from Pennsauken, New Jersey, he averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.7 steals per game for the Blazers this season, making 25 3-pointers at a rate of 35.7%.
His skill set — a big forward who can bring the ball up the floor and facilitate in the halfcourt — would be an ideal fit for Pope’s system, though Auburn has long been seen as a potential favorite, other major programs are in pursuit, and the NBA will remain an option.
Lendeborg, who played in junior college before moving to UAB, was also named the American Athletic Conference defensive player of the year following each of the past two seasons.
Kentucky commitment Kam Williams was listed at No. 25 in the 247Sports transfer rankings.
Both of Louisville’s early transfer commitments were highly placed on the list, with Adrian Wooley at No. 5 and Ryan Conwell at No. 12.
Mackenzie Mgbako, who visited UK on Wednesday, is No. 58 in the expanded 247Sports rankings.
Louisville, Tennessee updates
Are two of Kentucky’s biggest rivals on the verge of getting richer?
Louisville already has Adrian Wooley and Ryan Conwell — both backcourt players — in the fold for Pat Kelsey’s second season as the Cardinals’ head coach.
Tennessee appears to be closing in on former Maryland point guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie, who is No. 6 in the 247Sports transfer portal rankings. Gillespie met with the Vols’ coaches Wednesday — before the dead period began — and Rick Barnes will be looking to bolster his backcourt with the loss of 1-2 punch Zakai Zeigler and Chaz Lanier from this past season’s team.
And one of those two programs is likely to land another coveted portal player.
Former Virginia guard Isaac McKneely — the No. 14 transfer in the 247Sports rankings — has already visited Tennessee and Louisville, and those two teams are viewed as the favorites (likely in that order) for his commitment.
McKneely has shot 233-for-552 from 3-point range (42.2%) over his three years at Virginia, and he’s trending toward being a potential thorn in Kentucky’s side for the 2025-26 season.
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. By NCAA| John Clay
In our In the Spotlight stories, Herald-Leader journalists bring you continuing coverage of news and events important to our Central Kentucky community. Read more. Story idea? hlcityregion@herald-leader.com.
Mark Pope has roster spots to fill, and transfer portal season for the Kentucky Wildcats has now been fully engaged.
The biggest name to watch Wednesday will be Mackenzie Mgbako, a former five-star recruit who played his first two years of college ball at Indiana and is looking for a new home going into the 2025-26 season. Will he find it in Lexington?
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. By NCAA| John Clay
In our In the Spotlight stories, Herald-Leader journalists bring you continuing coverage of news and events important to our Central Kentucky community. Read more. Story idea? hlcityregion@herald-leader.com.
Mark Pope has roster spots to fill, and transfer portal season for the Kentucky Wildcats has now been fully engaged.
The biggest name to watch Wednesday will be Mackenzie Mgbako, a former five-star recruit who played his first two years of college ball at Indiana and is looking for a new home going into the 2025-26 season. Will he find it in Lexington?
The UK coaching staff is set to host Mgbako — a 6-foot-9, 222-pound forward from Gladstone, New Jersey — for a recruiting visit Wednesday after multiple conversations with the former McDonald’s All-American since the transfer portal opened last week.
Mgbako, who turns 21 years old in November, was once viewed as a potential one-and-done NBA draft pick after being ranked as the No. 8 overall prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports composite list. He played on the same Nike league team as former UK players Aaron Bradshaw and DJ Wagner before heading to Indiana.
His career with the Hoosiers was largely underwhelming, relative to expectations, though he started 64 games and averaged 12.2 points in each of his two seasons in Bloomington. As a sophomore, Mgbako also averaged 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting 32.9% from 3-point range (with 47 makes in 32 games).
Mgbako was not known for his defensive ability at Indiana, but he possesses the length and athleticism to improve in that area, and it’s possible a change of scenery after two seasons under Mike Woodson — no longer the coach of the Hoosiers — could bring more out of his game. Mgbako also seemingly has the ability to improve as a 3-point shooter, especially in an offensive system such as Pope’s.
On Tuesday, the UK coaching staff scheduled former Florida State forward Taylor Bol Bowen as the first on-campus visitor since the portal opened last week. Bol Bowen — a versatile 6-10 forward — will visit Alabama next.
Indiana forward Mackenzie Mgbako defends Purdue point guard Braden Smith during a game this season.
Indiana forward Mackenzie Mgbako defends Purdue point guard Braden Smith during a game this season. Robert Goddin USA TODAY
Magoon Gwath stays put
Kentucky got its first major surprise of portal season late Tuesday night, when San Diego State big man Magoon Gwath announced that he would stay put with the Aztecs for next season.
Gwath — a 7-footer with unique two-way skills that seemed a perfect fit for Pope’s approach — had emerged as a major UK target, and there was buzz throughout college basketball circles Tuesday that he was on the verge of committing to the Wildcats.
By Tuesday evening, that buzz prompted several national analysts to log public predictions in favor of Kentucky for Gwath, who ultimately pulled a stunner by announcing just before midnight his intention to stick with San Diego State for another season.
The move was so surprising that followers of the situation wondered if it was an April Fool’s Day joke. It wasn’t. And now Kentucky is still in search of at least one more big man to play alongside Brandon Garrison, assuming he returns for another season — which has not yet been announced — and incoming McDonald’s All-American post player Malachi Moreno.
Yaxel Lendeborg watch
Former UAB forward Yaxel Lendeborg is one of the top players in the transfer portal — 247Sports and On3.com both rank him No. 1, actually — and Kentucky is among his suitors.
Mark Pope flew to Chicago this week to meet with Lendeborg, who averaged 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.7 steals per game for the Blazers last season.
The 6-9, 240-pound forward from Pennsauken, New Jersey, still has two seasons of NCAA eligibility remaining, though he’s also considering a jump to the NBA draft. The latest list of the top 100 NBA draft prospects from ESPN has Lendeborg at No. 28, within first-round territory.
Lendeborg also has a long list of suitors in the portal, if he does return to college basketball for another season. Auburn, which is playing this weekend in the Final Four, has been viewed as a possible favorite over the past few weeks.
There’s not much to indicate, at this time, that Kentucky is at the top of the list for Lendeborg, but there’s obviously interest on the Wildcats’ end, and things are moving fast in the portal, so he’ll be one to watch in the coming days.
Aaron Bradshaw is leaving Ohio State after just one season with the Buckeyes.
Aaron Bradshaw is leaving Ohio State after just one season with the Buckeyes. Joseph Maiorana USA
Former UK forward Aaron Bradshaw will play for his third school in three seasons.
Bradshaw — a 7-1 player from Rahway, New Jersey — got off to a late start to his freshman year at Kentucky due to a foot injury and then transferred to Ohio State for his sophomore season. There, the former five-star recruit averaged 6.0 points and 2.7 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per game.
Bradshaw scored in double figures only four times this past season. One of those instances occurred with his 11-point performance in the Buckeyes’ 85-65 win over Kentucky in Madison Square Garden.
Bradshaw’s unique upside will likely lead to a lengthy list of possibilities for next season.
Louisville making transfer moves
One of the biggest winners of transfer portal season so far has been Louisville coach Pat Kelsey, who has already built what should be one of the best backcourts in college basketball for the 2025-26 campaign.
The Cardinals have picked up commitments this week from former Xavier guard Ryan Conwell and former Kennesaw State guard Adrian Wooley, both generally ranked among the top 15 overall players in the portal.
As quickly as commitments happen in the transfer portal, this will change with the hour, but — as of Wednesday morning — Louisville has the No. 1 transfer class in the country, according to the 247Sports rankings. And Kelsey still has spots to fill for next season.
In Kelsey’s first season as U of L’s head coach, the Cardinals finished 27-8 with an 18-2 record in the ACC before losing to Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Is Braden Smith next?
It hasn’t happened yet, but there has been talk for weeks that Purdue point guard Braden Smith — a first-team All-American this season — will enter his name in the transfer portal this spring.
The 6-foot playmaker from Westfield, Indiana, has one more season of NCAA eligibility remaining.
Smith averaged 15.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 2.2 steals per game for the Boilermakers this past season, leading them to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. In his final game of the season, Smith dished out 15 assists in a loss to Houston.
The point guard spot is arguably the biggest area of need for Kentucky this offseason, with starter Lamont Butler out of NCAA eligibility and backup Kerr Kriisa already in the transfer portal.
If Smith does decide to explore his options, he would instantly become the biggest name in the transfer portal. Both Kentucky and Duke have already been linked as possible favorites, but, for now, Smith has not made any announcement on his basketball future.
The Kentucky Wildcats are wasting no time in their pursuit of one of the hottest names in the transfer portal. UAB’s Yaxel Lendeborg has emerged as a prime target for high-major programs, with Kentucky among the first to reach out. As one of the most dominant players to hit the portal this offseason, Lendeborg’s next move is set to be a major storyline in college basketball.
From JUCO Standout to Elite Transfer Prospect
Lendeborg’s journey to prominence has been unconventional but inspiring. The 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward from New Jersey was overlooked as a high school recruit, forcing him to prove himself at the junior college level. He dominated the competition at Arizona Western, earning back-to-back NJCAA All-American honors and two ACCAC Player of the Year awards. That success propelled him to UAB, where he made an instant impact at the Division I level.
His first season with the Blazers was impressive, averaging 13.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game. But it was his 2024-25 campaign that made him a star. Lendeborg started all 37 games, averaging a dominant 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 52.2% from the field and 35.7% from beyond the arc.
His defensive prowess earned him American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second straight season, while his 26 double-doubles led the nation. He also set a UAB program record with 420 rebounds in a single season, further solidifying his status as one of the best big men in the country.
Kentucky Faces Fierce Competition
Lendeborg’s name has drawn interest from some of college basketball’s biggest powerhouses. According to On3’s Joe Tipton, Kentucky is just one of several programs vying for his commitment, with Arkansas, Auburn, Michigan, Alabama, BYU, Ole Miss, Georgetown, and Memphis also making contact. With his size, versatility, and two-way impact, it’s easy to see why every major program wants him.
However, there’s another factor at play-Lendeborg is testing the NBA Draft process. ESPN currently projects him as a second-round pick, but a strong showing in workouts and interviews could push him into the first round. If that happens, college programs may have to take a backseat to the pros.
Will the Wildcats Seal the Deal?
Kentucky has plenty working in its favor. Under new head coach Mark Pope, the Wildcats have an exciting system that could help Lendeborg elevate his game. Additionally, Kentucky’s NIL opportunities could be a game-changer in a highly competitive recruitment.
Yet, with so many top-tier programs in the mix-and the NBA as a serious option-this won’t be an easy battle for Kentucky to win. Lendeborg holds all the cards, and his decision will likely come down to where he sees the best long-term fit.
Will the Wildcats convince him to take his talents to Lexington, or will another program (or the NBA) lure him away? The coming weeks will provide the answer.
The Kentucky Wildcats have swiftly shifted gears toward roster enhancement. Head Coach Mark Pope is moving aggressively in the recruiting landscape, particularly in the transfer portal. One of his top priorities? San Diego State transfer Magoon Gwath.
Momentum is already building between Kentucky and Gwath. Over the weekend, sources confirmed that the highly touted transfer engaged in a Zoom call with the Wildcats’ coaching staff, signaling serious interest from both sides.
The Emergence of Magoon Gwath
Once overlooked as a high school recruit, Gwath has quickly rewritten his narrative. Now ranked as the No. 12 overall player in the transfer portal, he has become one of the most sought-after talents in college basketball. During his freshman campaign at San Diego State, Gwath delivered an electrifying performance, showcasing his versatility and defensive prowess.
Hailing from Euless, Texas, before finishing high school at Veritas Prep in California, Gwath racked up accolades as the Mountain West Conference Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. His imposing presence in the paint was undeniable, averaging 2.6 blocks per game and proving himself as a game-changer on the defensive end.
Why Kentucky Makes Sense
With multiple frontcourt departures, including Wake Forest transfer Andrew Carr, Kentucky faces an urgent need to replenish its size and interior defense. While Pope has already targeted several mid-major guards, Gwath represents a premium frontcourt acquisition who could immediately impact both ends of the floor.
What makes Gwath particularly valuable is his ability to stretch defenses. Unlike traditional rim protectors, the 7-foot, 205-pound standout isn’t confined to the paint-he shot an impressive 37.8% from three-point range and 50.6% from the field last season. His skill set aligns perfectly with Pope’s up-tempo, space-oriented system, making him an ideal fit for Kentucky’s evolving roster.
The Recruiting Battle Heats Up
Kentucky isn’t alone in the race. According to On3’s Joe Tipton, Michigan is also emerging as a serious contender for Gwath’s services. Additionally, a potential return to San Diego State remains on the table. With multiple elite programs in the mix, his recruitment has quickly become one of the most closely watched sagas of the offseason.
The Wildcats have already secured former Tulane standout Kam Williams to fortify their backcourt, but adding a dynamic two-way presence like Gwath would elevate their roster significantly. His combination of shot-blocking, rebounding, and three-point shooting could provide the perfect balance to a Kentucky squad aiming to make another deep postseason run.
What Lies Ahead for Gwath?
Kentucky’s proactive approach suggests they are determined to secure Gwath’s commitment, and with Pope-a former big man himself-leading the charge, the Wildcats present a compelling case.
As the offseason unfolds, Gwath’s decision looms large. Will he embrace the challenge of playing in Lexington, or will another suitor sway him elsewhere? One thing is clear-wherever he lands, his impact will be felt across the college basketball landscape.
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