As the Kentucky Wildcats continue to build their roster for the 2025-26 season, they've set their sights on a key player: Rylan Griffen. The former Kansas wing, who played a pivotal role for the Jayhawks last season, is set to visit Lexington on Tuesday, according to multiple sources from @247SportsPortal. Griffen's arrival comes after a successful stint with Kansas, where he started 20 of his 33 appearances, averaging 20.2 minutes per game.
A Look at Griffen's career stats:
2024-25 (Kansas): 33 GP, 20.2 MPG, 37.2 FG%, 33.6 3P%, 67.5 FT%, 2.1 RPG, 1.4 APG, 6.3 PPG
2023-24 (Alabama): 36 GP, 26.3 MPG, 45.4 FG%, 39.2 3P%, 81.0 FT%, 3.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 11.2 PPG
2022-23 (Alabama): 37 GP, 15.8 MPG, 36.5 FG%, 30.1 3P%, 73.3 FT%, 2.6 RPG, 0.7 APG, 5.9 PPG
From Final Four to possible Wildcat star
Griffen's path to Lexington has been paved by a proven track record. The Texas native was a regular starter for Kansas last season and contributed significantly in their push for the NCAA Tournament. Before that, he played an important role in Alabama's historic Final Four run, proving his capability on the biggest stage.
David Sisk pointed out Griffen’s impressive ability in handoff action, ranking in the 91st percentile while at Alabama. This would be an excellent fit for Mark Pope’s system, especially his Zoom action, which thrives on players who can read plays and execute smoothly.
What Griffen brings to the Cats
If Griffen can replicate or even improve upon his handoff action efficiency at Kentucky, he could be a major asset to Pope’s offense. With his ability to shoot from the perimeter and his versatility on the floor, he would add depth to an already promising roster. His experience in high-stakes games, including his time with Alabama in the Final Four, will undoubtedly bring leadership and poise to a young Kentucky team.
The final piece?
The question on every Kentucky fan's mind is whether Griffen could be the player to round out Coach Mark Pope’s roster for the 2025-26 season. With the Wildcats already set to feature a mix of transfers and returning players, Griffen could be the wing that pushes Kentucky into the upper echelon of college basketball.
As of now, his visit to Lexington is a critical moment in the recruitment process. Will Kentucky secure his commitment and add another talented player to its roster? Stay tuned as this recruitment battle unfolds.