As Kentucky men’s basketball closing the door on its 2024-25 season with a Sweet Sixteen loss to Tennessee, all eyes turn toward the transfer portal and what things will look like for Head Coach Mark Pope and the Cats next season.

With the Cats making the second weekend of the big dance for the first time since 2019 in Pope’s first season and a senior-heavy roster, expectations are high for the 1996 National Champion to bring Kentucky back to the forefront of the sport in year two.

As Pope hopes to build his second ever roster in Lexington and the modern college basketball world continues spinning at 100 miles per hour, keeping track of everything can be challenging.

Because of this, the Kentucky Kernel men’s basketball team sought to organize everything in one clear spot.

Who’s Gone?

Andrew Carr: exhausted eligibility

Ansley Almonor: exhausted eligibility

Jaxson Robinson: exhausted eligibility

Lamont Butler: exhausted eligibility

Amari Williams: exhausted eligibility 

Koby Brea: exhausted eligibility

Who’s New?

Malachi Moreno: freshman commit

A freshman hailing from Great Crossing High School just up the road in Georgetown, Moreno was graded a four-star prospect by 247Sports.

The Warhawk big man had received interest from numerous major programs around the country including Arkansas, led by former Kentucky head coach John Calipari, Indiana, North Carolina and Ohio State, but Moreno opted to instead stay home and join Pope in Lexington.

Standing at 6-foot, 11-inches and weighing in around 230 pounds, 247Sports’ Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstein spoke highly of Moreno in his report.

Jasper Johnson: freshman commit

Mark Pope landed his second recruit from the class of 2025 on Thursday afternoon as five-star shooting guard Jasper Johnson announced that he would be committing to Kentucky.

The highly touted 6-foot, 4-inch scorer had over 20 Division-I offers including some from top-tier programs like Kansas, Illinois and Baylor, however, on July 24, he chopped his list down to five schools including Arkansas, Alabama, Kentucky, Louisville and North Carolina.

Johnson began his high school career at Woodford County High School in Kentucky before transferring to Link Academy. For his senior season, Johnson declared for the Overtime Elite Draft, following in the footsteps of former Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham.

In terms of scoring, 247Sports Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstein described Johnson as “a southpaw scoring guard who has spurts of extreme tough shot-making when he gets hot.”

Acaden Lewis: freshman commit

Mark Pope’s third major recruit for the class of 2025, Acaden Lewis, committed and signed with Kentucky in mid November. He was recruited by assistant coach Jason Hart.

A highly-regarded 6-foot-2 point guard out of Sidwell Friends School in Washington D.C., Lewis chose Kentucky over other major programs like Duke, North Carolina, UConn and Michigan.

Graded a four-star prospect by 247Sports, Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstein described Lewis as “a lefty lead guard who is extremely talented with the ball.” Finkelstein continued by saying “He has soft hands and natural touch that are the foundation of a very advanced skill-set.”

Kam Williams: incoming transfer, Tulane

Tulane’s Kam Williams became the first player in 2025 to transfer to Kentucky and join Pope’s squad in Lexington, doing so just before the Sweet Sixteen began for the Cats.

A 6-foot-8 rising sophomore, Williams averaged 9.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per night. He had also heard from the likes of Louisville, Florida, St. John’s, Texas Tech, Mississippi State and plenty more.

At just 19 years of age, Williams was on the AAC All-Freshman team and shot 41% from beyond the arc, something else that made him a hot commodity for Pope’s coaching staff.

The news of his commitment was broken on Friday morning, the day of Kentucky’s Sweet Sixteen contest against Tennessee, by Jonathan Givony of ESPN.

Williams entered the transfer portal earlier in the week after one season in New Orleans and quickly heard from Pope’s coaching staff, telling KSR’s Jacob Polacheck that he believed Kentucky could “win the entire thing.”

With plenty of eligibility remaining and real NBA upside and ambitions, Williams is sure to be a big get for the Wildcats as they move forward in building their transfer class for 2025.

Who’s Being Targeted?

Silas Demary Jr.: Georgia

A massive name to hit the transfer portal, Georgia’s Silas Demary Jr. quickly became a major target for Pope and his staff at Kentucky.

Just one day after being knocked out of the NCAA Tournament, KSR’s Jacob Polacheck confirmed that Kentucky scheduled a house visit with Demary, who scored 14 on the Cats in the lone meeting between UK and Georgia last season.

Also fielding interest from the likes of UConn, BYU, Auburn and Oklahoma, Demary Jr. averaged 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists, being a major piece in a late-season push that helped Georgia earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. He scored 15 points in the Bulldogs’ first-round loss to Gonzaga.

Demary Jr. will be a major one to watch for Kentucky as interest from the program seems to be extremely high.

Magoon Gwath: San Diego State

One of the hottest transfers in the 2025 portal, Magoon Gwath, a seven-footer from San Diego State averaged 8.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game with the Aztecs. His 2.6 blocks per game also helped him to secure Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honors.

A defensive force from San Diego State surely gives Kentucky fans Lamont Butler vibes… if Butler was a big man and not a point guard.

Going from a zero-star recruit to a legitimate NBA prospect, Gwath will be one to watch for the Cats, who are confirmed to have reached out alongside Michigan and Washington. More recent reports indicate it may be a two-way race between UK and Michigan.

Dedan Thomas Jr.: UNLV

UNLV’s Dedan Thomas Jr. is another player that has garnered interest from Kentucky early in the portal season, with KSR’s Jacob Polacheck confirming that Pope and UK Assistant Coach Jason Hart had both been in contact with the sophomore.

Standing at 6-foot-1, the point guard from Las Vegas averaged 15.6 points, two rebounds and 4.7 assists per night for the Rebels this past season. He also shot 41.3% from the field and was a member of the Mountain West All-Conference team.

Florida is also a team to watch in the race for Thomas Jr., but Kentucky will hope to lock down the point guard to help fill the gap left by Lamont Butler after missing out on Donovan Dent.

Mackenzie Mgbako: Indiana

A major name in the transfer portal, it was reported that Indiana’s Mackenzie Mgbako has heard from Kentucky after entering the transfer portal to leave Bloomington.

Mgbako, a sophomore forward from New Jersey, averaged 12.2 points and 4.6 rebounds a night in Bloomington but entered the portal following the end of the season and Head Coach Mike Woodson’s departure. Indiana was left with zero scholarship players after the end of the season, declining any kind of postseason after missing the NCAA Tournament.

Mgbako is expected to test the NBA draft waters as well, but put his name into the transfer portal with SportsIllustrated reporting that the 6-foot-9 star has no intentions of returning to IU. He was a former five-star recruit.

Nick Davidson: Nevada

Kentucky was quick to reach out to Nevada junior forward Nick Davidson after the 6-foot-10 California native entered the portal following a strong season in Nevada. On3’s Joe Tipton confirmed that the Cats were on the list — and what a list it is — of schools to contact Davidson.

After finishing last season averaging 15.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per night on 50% shooting, Davidson has heard from the likes of UK, North Carolina, St. John’s, Louisville, Arizona, Virginia, Purdue, USC, Xavier, Illinois and plenty more. Virginia is one in particular that is pushing heavily for Davidson with new Cavaliers Head Coach Ryan Odom hosting Davidson on campus.

It is to be seen if UK is able to lock down Davidson, but, if he were to commit, he would be a massive asset to Pope in Lexington.

Treysen Eaglestaff: North Dakota

Another top name in the transfer portal, North Dakota’s Treysen Eaglestaff has received a ton of interest from major programs including Michigan, St. John’s, Kansas, LSU, Alabama and, of course, Kentucky.

Eaglestaff confirmed to KSR’s Jacob Polacheck that he has interest in Kentucky, calling the program “one of the best schools in college basketball.” Polacheck also confirmed that UK has been involved with Eaglestaff’s representatives.

He averaged 18.9 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per night while shooting 41.6% from the field. This includes a statement 51-point showing in the Summit League Tournament against South Dakota State. He also scored 40 against Alabama earlier in the season.

The latest report on Eaglestaff indicates that he is taking a visit to South Carolina.

Alvaro Folgueiras: Robert Morris

Robert Morris’ Alvaro Folgueiras is another massive target in the transfer portal after averaging 13.9 points and nine rebounds per night while also shooting 41% from beyond the arc. He is also 6-foot-9.

The Horizon League Player of the Year helped lead his squad to the NCAA Tournament and a near upset of Alabama in the first round as a sophomore out of Spain.

There is less solid evidence for Kentucky in the race for Folgueiras, but multiple reports suggest the Wildcats’ coaching staff has been involved with the former Colonial.

Lamar Wilkerson: Sam Houston State

One of the more veteran targets in the transfer portal, Sam Houston State’s Lamar Wilkerson entered his name in as a graduate transfer.

Wilkerson averaged 20.5 points and four rebounds a night for the Bearkats, shooting 45% from beyond the arc with eight threes attempted per game.

Wilkerson will also test the NBA draft waters, but expectations are currently that he will return to college for a final season.

Kentucky is confirmed to be interested and in the mix for the 6-foot-5 guard that started in all 32 games for SHSU last season.

Frankie Collins: TCU

ESPN College Basketball Insider Jeff Borzello reported that Kentucky was one of several schools to reach out to TCU transfer guard Frankie Collins.

Collins, a 6-foot-2 senior from Sacramento, averaged 11.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and assists on 42.2% shooting from the field with the Horned Frogs.

He is also fielding interest from St. John’s, SMU, USC and Vanderbilt, with the latter hosting Collins for a visit in the latest update on the veteran. Collins is also expected to visit SMU, just down the road from TCU in Dallas.

Elyjah Freeman: Lincoln Memorial (D-II)

A unique name in the list of targets for a school the size of Kentucky, Division-II standout Elyjah Freeman out of Lincoln Memorial, just on the Kentucky-Tennessee border, has received interest from Kentucky. Freeman, who grew up watching Kentucky, intends to leave the Lions after the controversial firing of his head coach, Jeremiah Samarrippas.

Freeman averaged 18.6 points and 8.7 rebounds as a somewhat late-blooming freshman. He averaged 30 points per night in his conference tournament.

He confirmed to KSR’s Jacob Polacheck that he has heard from Kentucky.

Standing at 6-foot-8, Freeman will be a heavily-sought-after name in the portal for plenty of high major programs.

Taylor Bol Bowen: Florida State

Florida State small forward Taylor Bol Bowen confirmed to KSR’s Jacob Polacheck that he had been in contact with Kentucky Assistant Coach Jason Hart on Tuesday.

Bol Bowen averaged eight points and 5.2 rebounds per night with the Seminoles and former Kentucky assistant Leonard Hamilton, who announced his resignation at the end of the season.

Standing at 6-foot-10, the sophomore shot 47% from the field and 41% from beyond the arc. He will likely be a hot target for multiple programs with plenty of power five experience under his belt.

Elijah Moore: Syracuse

Syracuse freshman guard Elijah Moore received interest from Kentucky per KSR’s Jacob Polacheck. Moore cited Kentucky’s culture as a plus to the program.

As a true freshman, Moore averaged 5.2 points a night and shot 39% from the field, earning the nickname “Choppa.” He is a 6-foot-4 guard from The Bronx and was a former four-star recruit. His peak in Syracuse came against Tennessee when he dropped 24 points on the Volunteers. He missed the end of the Orange’s season due to injury despite being the starting point guard for part of the year.

Who’s Returning?

Collin Chandler: sophomore

Travis Perry: sophomore

Trent Noah: sophomore

Otega Oweh: senior

Brandon Garrison: junior

Who Chose Somewhere Else?

Donovan Dent: New Mexico, transferred to UCLA

Despite Kentucky being a frontrunner for New Mexico star point guard Donovan Dent, the former Lobo instead chose to commit to UCLA and Head Coach Mick Cronin while Kentucky was still on the court against the Vols in the NCAA Tournament.

Dent, a guard out of Riverside, California, averaged 20.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 6.4 assists per night with the Lobos, helping lead Richard Pitino’s squad to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Dent had several star-making performances across the season, scoring 40 against VCU in December, 34 at UNLV in January and 33 at Nevada in early March. In fact, he scored 20+ in seven of the Lobos’ last eight regular season games and eight of the Lobos’ last 10 on the season.

Regardless, Dent chose to commit to Cronin and UCLA, going back to his home state of California and moving to Los Angeles.