Even well before Mark Pope's second year in Lexington came to a relatively underwhelming close, fans were clamoring for an answer at the point guard position. A spot that initially seemed locked down by Jaland Lowe and Jasper Johnson, in just a few short months (and after a few injuries) became the Wildcats' absolute Achilles' heel.
Although Lowe, even before being relegated to the sideline with his ongoing shoulder problems, didn't seem to fit Pope's offensive bill. In his nine games, Kentucky's anticipated floor general averaged just eight points, two rebounds and two assists each, shooting just 20.8% from long range in the process. To say the least, the union simply wasn't working.
That failed experiment at the "one" spot leads Kentucky to their current juncture; the team desperately needs a point guard, with both Lowe and Johnson leaving in the transfer portal. And, early on, Robert Wright III looks like Lexington's knight in shining blue armor.
Pope is Involved
Wright, a former Baylor Bear and, more recently, BYU Cougar, instantly became a leading name in the portal as soon as he entered it. Coming off of a season in which he averaged 18 points and shot north of 40% from distance, that makes more than enough sense.
To boot, Cats fans don't have to beg Coach Pope to get involved. According to Joe Tipton, Kentucky is one of three major suitors for the star guard, with the dastardly Louisville Cardinals and bordering Ohio State Buckeyes also in the mix. But he isn't the only PG in the Cats' line of sight.
Zoom Diallo, the soon-to-be junior guard for the Washington Huskies, has an official visit scheduled with Kentucky this weekend (per Dushawn London and 247Sports). Wright, while perhaps the "dream" prospect for many fans, may end up being overshadowed by Diallo in the end.
Why? Pope and Kentucky can't afford to wait around.
First Come, First Serve
Diallo, while not as widely touted as Wright, far from slouches on the page in his own right. Averaging nearly 16 points and four rebounds and assists a piece, it's essentially his lower three-point clip (31.5%) that separates him from Wright. Then again, even that number is a far cry from Lowe's aforementioned metric.
The telling factor is that, at least for the time, Diallo's recruitment seems to be moving at a far quicker pace than Wright's. With an in-person visit already on the docket following Kentucky's initial contact with the guard, all things seem to be pointing towards a serious pursuit.
With a history of waiting around on targets that eventually take another path at the last second (see Dink Pate, most recently), the importance of landing a leading guard rises as Pope's patience thins. If Wright doesn't make his own call by the weekend, Diallo could end up being prioritized by Kentucky's staff for the mere reason that he wants to play in the blue and white.