Kentucky’s double-headed transfer portal effort so far - outlined in blue by Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins - has focused entirely on putting together a strong backcourt. And it seems that Mark Pope has done just that, with the addition of two of the portal’s highest ranked guards. You could call that a win, BBN.
But now, attention turns to the frontcourt. The Wildcats, in opposite fashion to last season’s roster, are currently running wildly thin at the four and the five. Malachi Moreno is set to hold things down as the starting center (assuming he returns from the draft) but, otherwise, the Cats desperately need a stretch four and depth at either spot.
While the former issue is seemingly set to come down to Donnie Freeman’s ultimate decision, depth is a completely different charge. Although, in the latest bout of portal news, Coach Pope may be pursuing a solution in the form of seven-foot-five Kentucky native Gabe Dynes. The former USC Spartan could be vying for a move back to his home state.
A Homecoming For Gabe Dynes
According to Jacob Polacheck, the Kentuckian center has already met with Coach Pope on a FaceTime call. He had this to say about the big blue head coach:
""I watched a good amount of Mark Pope’s games at Kentucky. He’s a genuine guy. I grew up a fan.""
While this says little (at least so far) about exactly how interested Kentucky is, a union out of the portal makes more than enough sense for both sides, beyond the obvious allure of Dynes coming back to the bluegrass state.
The high-potential big, entering his senior season, seems to be looking for a refreshed opportunity before his college basketball career comes to an end. With a need behind Moreno at the five, Kentucky could provide exactly that.
A Sensible Union in Kentucky
Although, only to a reasonable extent. While Dynes' best season - his second year - saw him averaging seven points, six boards, and three blocks, his mos recent run saw both a dip in minutes and those numbers more than halved.
To boot, with promising bigs such as FAU's Devin Williams also apparently interested in the same spot, competition could get dicey for Moreno's expected leftover minutes.
All the same, Dynes has the unique physical tools to make a move to just about anywhere work. In Kentucky, especially, he'll always be welcome by a fanbase that shares a built-in blue and white pride.
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