The spring 2025 transfer portal has reshaped SEC basketball, and Mark Pope’s Kentucky Wildcats have emerged as the clear winners. With a blend of elite transfers, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) dominance, and Pope’s innovative recruiting, Kentucky has built a roster that’s not just SEC-dominant but Final Four-ready. In this Post-Spring SEC Basketball Transfer Portal Power Rankings, we rank all 16 SEC teams based on their portal hauls, spotlight why Kentucky’s class is unmatched, and break down how Pope’s vision positions Big Blue Nation for a ninth national championship in 2025-26.
Kentucky’s transfer additions address every need—size, defense, and shooting—while complementing a top-10 freshman class and key returnees. Let’s dive into the rankings, with a deep dive into the top five and a full list of all 16 SEC teams.
SEC transfer portal power rankings: Spring 2025
1. Kentucky Wildcats
Key Additions: Jayden Quaintance (Arizona State), Jaland Lowe (Pittsburgh), Kam Williams (Tulane), Mouhamed Dioubate (Alabama), Denzel Aberdeen (Florida)
Key Losses: Kerr Kriisa (Cincinnati), Travis Perry (Ole Miss)
Why They Rank No. 1: Kentucky’s transfer class is the SEC’s best and fourth nationally, per 247Sports. Pope targeted size and defense to fix last season’s Sweet 16 shortcomings against Tennessee’s physicality. Quaintance, a 6-foot-10 projected 2026 NBA lottery pick, brings elite rim protection (third in Pac-12 blocks) and rebounding. Lowe, a dynamic point guard, fills Kriisa’s role with better scoring (49% FG at Pitt). Williams’ 41% 3-point shooting and Dioubate’s 15 rebounds per 40 minutes add versatility, while Aberdeen’s championship experience from Florida strengthens the backcourt. With returnees like Otega Oweh (16.3 PPG, pending NBA Draft) and Brandon Garrison, plus freshman star Jasper Johnson, Kentucky’s roster is deep, balanced, and tailored for Pope’s fast-paced spacing system.
2. Auburn Tigers
Key Additions: Keyshawn Hall (UCF), KeShawn Murphy (Mississippi State)
Why They Rank No. 2: Auburn lost All-American Johni Broome but reloaded with high-upside talent to stay near the SEC’s top. Hall, who led the Big 12 in scoring (19 PPG), is a versatile wing with NBA scouts’ attention. Murphy, a 6-foot-10 forward, brings scoring and rebounding (11.7 PPG at MSU). Bruce Pearl’s mix of transfers and juco additions keeps Auburn competitive, though they lack Kentucky’s star power.
3. Arkansas Razorbacks
Key Additions: Limited portal activity; but they retained their own and have talented freshman coming in (Darius Acuff, Meleek Thomas)
Why They Rank No. 3: Calipari’s first Arkansas portal class is light, leaning on returnees like DJ Wagner and Trevon Brazile, plus elite freshmen. Without Kentucky’s volume of impact transfers, Arkansas ranks third but remains dangerous with Calipari’s coaching with a chip on his shoulder.
4. Florida Gators
Key Additions: Xaivian Lee (Princeton)
Why They Rank No. 4: Fresh off a national title, Florida added Lee, a 16.9 PPG guard with 165 assists (Princeton record). Losing Walter Clayton Jr., Alijah Martin, and Will Richard hurts, but Lee’s playmaking and returnees like Thomas Haugh keep the Gators strong. Their portal haul is solid but less transformative than Kentucky’s.
5. Ole Miss Rebels
Key Additions: AJ Storr (Kansas), Corey Chest (LSU), Koren Johnson (Louisville), Travis Perry (Kentucky)
Why They Rank No. 5: Chris Beard’s Ole Miss landed Storr, a 3-level scorer with NBA upside, as a reclamation project after a lackluster Kansas stint. Chest’s high-energy defense and Johnson’s scoring add depth. This class makes Ole Miss Sweet 16-caliber but lacks Kentucky’s balance and defensive emphasis.
6. Alabama Crimson Tide
7. Tennessee Volunteers
8. LSU Tigers
9. Texas Longhorns
10. Texas A&M Aggies
11. Georgia Bulldogs
12. South Carolina Gamecocks
13. Mississippi State Bulldogs
14. Missouri Tigers
15. Vanderbilt Commodores
16. Oklahoma Sooners
Why Kentucky’s transfer class Is elite
Mark Pope inherited a blank slate in 2024 and led Kentucky to a Sweet 16 with eight top-15 wins, tying a college basketball record. In 2025, his transfer portal strategy has elevated UK to a national title contender. Here’s why Kentucky’s class stands out:
Star Power with NBA Potential
Jayden Quaintance: No. 10 transfer (247Sports), a 6-foot-10 lottery pick prospect with elite defense (63 blocks at ASU).
Jaland Lowe: No. 32 transfer, a 49% shooter with playmaking flair, ideal for Pope’s offense.
Kam Williams: 6-foot-8 wing with 41% 3-point shooting, adding size and spacing.
Defensive overhaul
Last season’s physicality struggles are history. Quaintance’s top-10 defensive BPR (EvanMiya.com), Dioubate’s rebounding, and Aberdeen’s versatility make UK a defensive force.
System Fit
Pope’s offense, which shattered Kentucky’s 32-year-old 3-point record (341 made), thrives on spacing. Lowe and Williams stretch the floor, while Quaintance and Dioubate excel in transition and pick-and-roll.
Mark Pope’s blueprint for a championship
Pope’s second year is about more than the SEC—it’s about banner No. 9. His transfer strategy shows:
Youth and Experience: Veterans like Lowe blend with young stars like Quaintance, plus freshmen Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno.
NIL dominance: Kentucky’s resources outbid rivals for top talents.
Roster Continuity: Returnees Oweh (possible), Noah, Garrison, and Collin Chandler ensure chemistry.
National projections rank Kentucky No. 4 (On3.com), with The Athletic praising their “in-season growth” potential.
What’s next for the Cats?
Pope’s roster isn’t finalized. Kentucky is still looking for developmental projects like the recently committed Reece Potter; and if Oweh or Lowe stay in the NBA draft, there will be more work to do.
Kentucky’s SEC dominance
The SEC is loaded again, but Kentucky’s transfer class gives them the edge
Vs. Auburn: UK’s star power (Quaintance, Lowe) trumps Auburn’s depth.
Vs. Arkansas: Calipari’s recruits are elite, but UK’s portal haul is immediate.
Vs. Florida: Lee bolsters the Gators, but UK’s size and defense are superior.
Kentucky is the SEC’s team to beat and a Final Four favorite.
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Conclusion: Kentucky’s road to glory
Mark Pope has turned Kentucky into a powerhouse in two years, and the 2025 transfer portal class—led by Jayden Quaintance, Jaland Lowe, and Kam Williams—makes UK the SEC’s best and a national title contender. With elite defense, 3-point shooting, and NIL-driven recruiting, the Wildcats are chasing their ninth banner in 2025-26.