Where Kentucky basketball's roster stands as of right now
· Yahoo Sports
The Kentucky Wildcats offseason has been one that has generated mixed feelings among fans in the Bluegrass State. Mark Pope and his staff have landed some solid players out of the transfer portal, but have missed on several of their top targets.
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Pope is at an interesting crossroads. After a 2025 season that fell well short of expectations, he set out to build a team that sidesteps the problems last year's team had. Adding creators in the backcourt has been one goal, while finding players who fit together more seamlessly together is another.
They're also not done yet. There will inevitably be some players who pull out of the NBA draft, and Kentucky is looking to add a star like Milan Momcilovic. In the meantime, here's a look at what the roster looks like as of now.
Guards
Zoom Diallo - The expected starting point guard came over from Washington this offseason. He was Pope's first transfer portal addition, coming off a season where he averaged 15.7 points and 4.5 assists per game.
Alex Wilkins - Another new addition, Wilkins comes from Furman where he averaged 17.8 points and 4.7 assists per game. He will just be entering his sophomore season, and could be one of the steals of the offseason.
Mason Williams - Though he wasn't a five-star recruit, Williams is a talented point guard who will get a chance to develop in Pope's offense as a freshman. There is a lot of potential there.
Zyon Hawthorne - Braydon's brother also enters the season as a freshman. He will likely not see a lot of time, and could even redshirt this season, but they hope he can be a big part of the team going forward.
Jerone Morton - After spending a season at Washington State, Morton transferred back to his home state for his senior season. He made 39% of his three pointers last season, and will provide shooting off the bench.
Forwards
Kam Williams - After a slow start last season, Williams began to get going, only to be sidelined with an injury. He is a terrific shooter and good defender who could be a focus point of the offense.
Braydon Hawthorne - A former top 40 recruit, Hawthorne took a redshirt last year, but has as much potential as any player on the team. Pope has repeatedly praised him and expects big things from him.
Justin McBride - As a junior, McBride averaged 15.3 points per game and made 40% of his three-point attempts. His ability to play inside and out will create more space and create better offensive flow.
Trent Noah - He didn't garner a lot of playing time last season, but he provides valuable minutes off the bench. He's a good shooter, and gives full effort at all times.
Ousmane N'Diaye - Pope landed N'Diaye from the international ranks, and he's an intriguing player. He has great length athletic ability, and has impressive potential on both ends of the floor.
Centers
Malachi Moreno - The NBA draft could still claim Moreno, and it would be a big blow to the roster. If he returns, he is immediately one of the best centers in the country.
Franck Kepnang - The most recent signing by Pope, Kepnang is limited offensively, but is one of the better shot blockers in the country. Injuries have marred his career, though, and he needs a waiver to be eligible.
Reece Potter - Like Hawthorne, Potter redshirted last season. He's an interesting player with a skillset that is different from Moreno and Kepnang. Potter has size, but he is also a solid shooter from outside the paint.
This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky basketball: The roster after the addition of Franck Kepnang