Kentucky men’s basketball and Head Coach Mark Pope suffered a disappointing defeat in the transfer portal late Tuesday night when San Diego State big man Magoon Gwath chose to exit the portal and return to SDSU.
Gwath’s posted to his social media with his decision.
One of the hottest transfers in the 2025 portal, 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.
Hailing from SDSU, the same place as beloved veteran point guard Lamont Butler, Gwath grew himself from a zero-star recruit to a legitimate NBA prospect.
Kentucky was quick to get in the race for Gwath as soon as he made his intentions to transfer public, finding itself in a three-way race with Michigan and Gwath’s previous school, San Diego State.
Regardless, while Gwath said he was considering a return to San Diego, most expected it to be a two-horse race between the Wolverines and the Wildcats.
On Tuesday, Wildcat fans were treated when 247Sports Basketball Analyst Travis Branham put in a crystal ball prediction of 100% in favor of Kentucky.
On3’s Joe Tipton soon followed suit.
Despite this, Gwath proved everyone wrong on Tuesday when he opted to return to San Diego State and his Head Coach Brian Dutcher.
Gwath was the second major loss for Pope and Co. in the transfer portal after Donovan Dent as all other who chose elsewhere had fallen down UK’s boards or had broken off contact with the staff.
As Kentucky looks to continue building its 2025-26 roster, Kam Williams from Tulane remains the only committed transfer Pope and his staff have locked in for the season.
