As the 2025-26 college basketball season approaches, the Kentucky Wildcats, under second-year head coach Mark Pope, are poised to build on a successful inaugural campaign that saw them reach the Sweet 16. With a blend of high-profile transfers, talented returners, and promising freshmen, the Wildcats are projected to field one of the most talented and expensive rosters in college basketball, with expenditures reportedly exceeding $10 million. This article previews the 2025-26 Kentucky Wildcats, detailing key transfers, returning players, incoming freshmen, and the team’s outlook for the upcoming season
Returning Players
Kentucky returns a solid core of five players from the 2024-25 roster, providing continuity and experience to a team losing several seniors. The returners include:
Otega Oweh (Guard, Senior): The All-SEC Second Team selection in 2024-25 was Kentucky’s most consistent performer, showcasing an ability to score from anywhere on the court. Oweh, who averaged significant production last season, tested the NBA Draft waters but ultimately withdrew to return for his senior year. His leadership and versatility make him a cornerstone of the 2025-26 squad.
Brandon Garrison (Center, Junior): A former McDonald’s All-American, Garrison played a key reserve role behind Amari Williams last season. With increased minutes expected, his development in the offseason could make him a dominant force in the paint.
Collin Chandler (Guard, Sophomore): After spending two years on a Mormon mission, Chandler averaged 2.7 points in 10.4 minutes per game as a freshman. His role is expected to expand in his second year under Pope, with whom he previously worked at BYU.
Trent Noah (Forward, Sophomore): A Kentucky native and lifelong Wildcats fan, Noah averaged 2.7 points in 11.1 minutes per game last season. Coach Pope has emphasized adding muscle to Noah’s 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame to enhance his physicality and impact.
These returners provide a mix of scoring, size, and defensive potential, with Oweh and Garrison expected to anchor the team’s leadership and production.
Key Transfers
Mark Pope has once again leveraged the transfer portal to bolster Kentucky’s roster, adding five high-caliber players to replace departing seniors like Koby Brea, Lamont Butler, and Amari Williams. The transfer class ranks second nationally according to On3, showcasing Pope’s recruiting prowess. The key additions include:
Jayden Quaintance (Forward/Center, Sophomore, Arizona State): A former five-star recruit and the highest-ranked signee in Arizona State history, Quaintance recommitted to Kentucky after initially backing off following John Calipari’s departure. A projected top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the 6-foot-9 big man brings elite rim protection and athleticism, drawing comparisons to Anthony Davis for his defensive potential.
Jaland Lowe (Guard, Junior, Pittsburgh): The presumed starting point guard, Lowe withdrew from the 2025 NBA Draft to join Kentucky. Ranked No. 29 in the 247Sports transfer portal rankings, Lowe’s playmaking and scoring ability will be critical in replacing Kerr Kriisa, who transferred to Cincinnati.
Mouhamed Dioubate (Forward, Sophomore, Alabama): Ranked No. 53 in the transfer portal, Dioubate was Alabama’s glue guy last season. His versatility and defensive tenacity make him a perfect fit for Pope’s system.
Kam Williams (Guard, Junior, Tulane): A 6-foot-8 sharpshooter, Williams (No. 36 in the transfer portal) adds size and shooting to the backcourt, addressing Kentucky’s need for perimeter scoring.
Denzel Aberdeen (Guard, Junior, Florida): The final transfer addition, Aberdeen was a key bench player for the national champion Gators. His acquisition likely signals the end of Kentucky’s portal activity, barring unexpected roster changes. The 6-foot-5 guard brings defensive grit and scoring depth.
Additionally, late additions like Braydon Hawthorne (6-foot-8 wing, four-star recruit) and Reece Potter (center) further deepen the roster, with Hawthorne’s 7-foot-3 wingspan offering two-way potential.
Incoming Freshmen
Kentucky’s 2025 recruiting class features three highly touted freshmen, headlined by two five-star prospects:
Jasper Johnson (Guard, Five-Star): Ranked No. 20 nationally, Johnson is a dynamic left-handed guard from Lexington, Kentucky. His scoring ability and local ties make him a fan favorite and a potential starter.
Malachi Moreno (Center, Five-Star): A 6-foot-11 McDonald’s All-American from Georgetown, Kentucky, Moreno won the state championship with Great Crossing. His size and upside are immense, though he may face challenges earning minutes behind Quaintance, Garrison, and Potter.
Andrija Jelavic (Forward, International): A 21-year-old Croatian forward, Jelavic led the ABA League in rebounding. His experience and physicality add a unique dimension, though his fit in the rotation remains a wildcard.
The departure of four-star point guard Acaden Lewis, who decommitted and committed to Villanova, was a setback, but Kentucky’s freshman class remains elite.
Projected Starting Lineup and Depth
ESPN’s Jeff Borzello projects the following starting lineup for the 2025-26 Wildcats, ranked No. 10 nationally in his way-too-early top 25:
PG: Jaland Lowe
SG: Jasper Johnson
SF: Otega Oweh
PF: Mouhamed Dioubate
C: Jayden Quaintance
However, the lineup is not set in stone. Kam Williams or Denzel Aberdeen could challenge Johnson for the starting shooting guard spot, while Brandon Garrison might start over Quaintance if the latter’s recovery from an ACL tear is incomplete. Andrija Jelavic could also push Dioubate at power forward. The depth chart is robust, with players like Collin Chandler, Trent Noah, Malachi Moreno, Braydon Hawthorne, and Reece Potter providing versatility and upside off the bench.
Outlook and Expectations
The 2025-26 Kentucky Wildcats are built to contend for a national championship. Pope’s ability to blend high-end transfers, experienced returners, and elite freshmen has created a roster with top-end talent and exceptional depth. The team’s strengths include:
Size and Versatility: With a backcourt featuring 6-foot-5 guards like Lowe, Aberdeen, and Chandler, and a frontcourt boasting Quaintance, Garrison, and Moreno, Kentucky will be big and physical at every position.
Scoring and Defense: Oweh and Lowe provide dynamic scoring, while Quaintance and Dioubate anchor a potentially elite defense. The addition of sharpshooters like Williams and Johnson addresses last season’s inconsistent perimeter shooting.
Depth: With 13 scholarship players (14 if Oweh’s return is finalized), Kentucky has the depth to withstand injuries and foul trouble, a luxury few teams possess.
However, challenges remain. Integrating a roster with so many new faces could lead to early chemistry issues, and the frontcourt logjam may limit minutes for talents like Moreno. Additionally, the loss of veteran leadership from players like Brea and Butler means Oweh and Garrison must step up as leaders.
Kentucky’s schedule will include high-profile non-conference games, with Pope expressing interest in marquee matchups like the Maui Invitational. In the SEC, the Wildcats will face stiff competition from teams like Auburn, Alabama, and Tennessee, but their talent and depth position them as a top contender.
Final Thoughts
Mark Pope has transformed Kentucky into a national championship contender in just his second year. The 2025-26 roster combines NBA-caliber talent (Quaintance, Oweh), versatile transfers (Lowe, Dioubate, Williams, Aberdeen), and high-upside freshmen (Johnson, Moreno, Jelavic). With a projected top-10 ranking and a roster cost exceeding $10 million, expectations are sky-high for a deep NCAA Tournament run, potentially reaching the Final Four for the first time since 2015. Big Blue Nation has every reason to be excited about the season ahead.
