After securing a solid, potentially best-in-SEC backcourt in the form of transfer guards Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins, Mark Pope and Kentucky have pivoted their recruiting efforts to the bench and the frontcourt. The latter, in the form of Donnie Freeman, has taken apparent priority.
But as Freeman's recruitment grows more uncertain by the day, it may be time for Pope to turn and reach for his remaining options before time completely runs out. To an extent, he's already begun doing that - transfer forward Justin McBride just set his official visit to Lexington this week.
But McBride wouldn't meet the Cats' need at the four-spot in the same way that Freeman would, at least from the outside looking in. That's where a new, last-second portal entry could present the perfect opportunity for Kentucky to pivot. That is, if Pope decides to get involved.
Sebastian Williams-Adams Makes Too Much Sense
Auburn forward and former four-star recruit, Sebastian Williams-Adams, suddenly hit the portal (per Travis Branham) after initially being set to return as a Tiger for his sophomore season. A traditional collegiate power forward, Adams has all the upside that a team could hope for at that position, especially this early in his career.
With a year of SEC experience under his belt and a dire need that Adams could meet, Kentucky would be more than remiss not to get involved here. If Freeman ends up out of the picture, this is an extremely intriguing second option.
That isn't to say that Adams brings the same stature to the table that Freeman does; rather, he brings his own unique skillset that could thrive in the right system.
His seven-point, 3-5-rebound average this past season at Auburn doesn't scream quality, but the forward's defensive activity and late-season improvements promise another potential jump that the Cats could get ahead of.
Forecasting a Leap in Lexington
Having averaged just under one block per game and more than one steal, Adams made his money on the defensive side of the ball. His low fouling rate (less than three per game) and notable performance in big contests also stand out.
Adams actually came up with two steals when Kentucky fell to Auburn in a last-second road upset last season and, in the NIT Championship (which Auburn won), the big had 13 points, three boards, and another two steals.
His gradual come-up as the season progressed likey has something to do with him entering the portal in the first place. At Kentucky's current juncture, getting involved with Adams almost seems like a must. And the possibility of pairing him with the aforementioned McBride as a sort of one-two punch at power forward, as a result of the money that would be saved if Freeman goes elsewhere?
It's a backup plan, sure, but a dang compelling one.
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