With the season winding down, Mark Pope is already looking ahead to the future—and the Wildcats’ roster could see a major overhaul.
Pope didn’t mince words when discussing next season’s team this week, stating he expects "several players back" but acknowledging that heavy portal recruiting will be necessary to fill key spots. With a mix of departures, potential NBA decisions, and incoming freshmen, let’s break down who’s staying, who’s gone, and what Kentucky’s biggest needs are heading into the offseason.
For Sure Leaving: Wildcats Who Won’t Be Back
These players have no eligibility remaining or are confirmed to be moving on:
🔹 Amari Williams – The veteran big man provided rebounding and rim protection, but his time at Kentucky is done.
🔹 Ansley Almonor – A rotational stretch forward, Almonor brought floor spacing but will move on after this season.
🔹 Jaxson Robinson – His season-ending wrist injury sealed it—he’s moving on and preparing for the NBA Draft.
🔹 Lamont Butler – A defensive menace, Butler will graduate and move on from college hoops.
🔹 Koby Brea – One of Kentucky’s best three-point shooters, Brea is out of eligibility.
🔹 Andrew Carr – The versatile forward provided scoring and rebounding, but he’s done in college.
That’s six key contributors gone, meaning Pope will have several lineup spots to fill.
Medical Redshirt Question Mark: Kerr Kriisa
🔹 Kerr Kriisa – Kriisa missed most of the season after undergoing foot surgery, and Pope could seek a medical redshirt for him to return. However, his decision is still up in the air.
NBA Draft or Transfer Portal Candidates
These players have eligibility left but may test the NBA waters or explore transfer options:
🔹 Otega Oweh – A physical, high-energy guard with NBA potential, Oweh could declare for the draft or consider a return.
🔹 Brandon Garrison – The former five-star big man has pro upside but could also be enticed by the portal.
Pope and his staff will have their hands full trying to keep both players in Lexington, but if either leaves, Kentucky’s needs in the portal grow even larger.
Returning for 2025-26
🔹 Travis Perry
🔹 Trent Noah
🔹 Collin Chandler
🔹 Grant Derbyshire
🔹 Walker Horn
While none of these returners are star-level players (yet), they give Kentucky some continuity heading into next year.
Incoming Freshmen: The Next Generation
Three high school standouts have already committed:
⭐ Jasper Johnson – A scoring guard who can create his own shot and space the floor.
⭐ Malachi Moreno – A big man with shot-blocking skills and a developing offensive game.
⭐ Acaden Lewis – A quick, playmaking guard who could see early minutes.
Pope mentioned these three high school recruits are all "for now", sounding an awful lot like there may be more high school freshmen committing.
🔹 Still Recruiting: Nate Ament – A highly touted wing prospect, Kentucky is still trying to land him but Louisville and Duke have put in a lot of work with Ament. Jai Lucas leaving for Miami is rumored and that is his primary recruiter for Duks.
Portal Recruiting: Where Will Kentucky Focus?
With so many departures, Pope made it clear—Kentucky will be aggressive in the transfer portal.
✅ Needs to Address in the Portal:
🔹 Experienced bigs – With Williams and potentially Garrison gone, Kentucky must add size and strength inside to bolster Moreno.
🔹 Perimeter scoring – With Brea and Robinson gone, the Wildcats need elite shooting threats.
🔹 Defensive specialists – Butler’s departure means finding a lockdown perimeter defender is crucial.
Portal decisions won’t happen overnight, but expect Kentucky to go after proven, high-impact players to complement their returning pieces.
Final Thoughts: A Roster in Transition, But With a Plan
Mark Pope has a busy offseason ahead. With at least six players gone and others weighing decisions, Kentucky will look dramatically different next season.
But Pope isn’t shying away from the challenge. The Wildcats will hit the portal hard, develop their returning talent, and look to reload quickly.
For now it is full steam ahead for the NCAA tournament, but it is never too early to sneak a peek into the future.