When Mark Pope accepted the position at Kentucky last offseason, he faced a challenging situation with no returning scholarship players after John Calipari left for Arkansas. Pope quickly built his roster primarily through the transfer portal, leading UK to the Sweet 16 in his first year.

As he enters his second year, the offseason is critical for maintaining momentum and making another deep NCAA Tournament run. One significant acquisition is the five-star forward Jayden Quaintance from Arizona State, who is viewed as a top-five pick for the upcoming NBA Draft.

All eyes will also be on standout guard Otega Oweh, who has declared for the NBA Draft while wisely keeping his college eligibility intact.

Kentucky is set to face a pivotal season as it adjusts to both new talent and the transitions within its roster.

Incoming Transfers

Jayden Quaintance | F/C | Fr. (Transfer from Arizona State)

GP: 24 | PPG: 9.4 | RPG: 7.9 | APG: 1.5

Quaintance originally pledged to Kentucky but sought a different path after Calipari’s departure. He later played at Arizona State, where he became the program’s highest-ranked recruit and a potential top-five NBA Draft selection.

Other New Faces Include:

• Mouhamed Dioubate (Transfer from Alabama)
• Jaland Lowe (Transfer from Pitt)
• Kam Williams (Transfer from Tulane)

Players Not Returning

• Otega Oweh
• Travis Perry
• Koby Brea
• Lamont Butler
• Andrew Carr

Kentucky continues to navigate its transformations as it aims for another successful run in the upcoming season.