No. 9 Kentucky men’s basketball is off to a 2-0 start as it begins its gauntlet of non-conference play starting with No. 12 Louisville.

Before the Cats and the Cards renew their historic rivalry, let’s take a look at who will be on the hardwood in blue and white this season:

Newcomers

#2- Jasper Johnson

Hometown: Lexington, Ky.
Height: 6-5
Position: Guard
Class: Freshman

Johnson, the five-star out of Lexington, is a 6-5 freshman guard ranked among the top 25 prospects in the 2025 class. After winning a gold medal with USA Basketball at the 2024 FIBA U18 AmeriCup in Argentina. He went on to help lead Team USA to gold a year later at the FIBA U19 World Cup, averaging 20.3 points for Overtime Elite’s Real Wild Energy. 

The former Woodford County standout is a third-generation Wildcat with both his father and uncle having played football at Kentucky and looks to continue the legacy in the family.

#4- Andrija Jelavić

Hometown: Zagreb, Croatia
Height: 6-11
Position: Forward
Class: Sophomore

We’ve seen other foreigners coming into Lexington making impactful impressions to Big Blue Nation, here’s another potential player that could potentially do the same, Andrija Jelavić. Jelavić, a transfer from the Mega Superbet in the Adriatic League Jelavić played at the U18 Euro Championships in 2022 and won the U20 Championships in 2024. 

#22- Braydon Hawthorne

Hometown: Beckley, W. Va.
Height: 6-8
Position: Forward
Class: Freshman

Braydon Hawthorne was a consensus four-star prospect and the No. 33 player in his class as well as the No. 1 ranked player in West Virginia. Hawthorne was also a McDonald’s All-American Nominee. During his senior year, Hawthorne averaged 23.5 points, six rebounds and four assists. Hawthorne, from the eastern bordering state, looks to make an impact on Coach Pope’s depth chart on the road to number nine.

#24- Malachi Moreno 

Hometown: Georgetown, Ky.
Height: 7-0
Position: Center
Class: Freshman

Coming in just north of Lexington, Malachi Moreno, a consensus top-25 prospect, was a McDonald’s All-American who earned Mr. Kentucky Basketball honors after winning the state title in high school and was selected to the 2025 USA U19 National Team, as well as being part of the men’s Nike Hoop Summit Team. In high school, he averaged 21.5 points, 14.9 rebounds, 3.6 blocks and 3.5 assists.

Transfers

 #1- Denzel Aberdeen

Hometown: Orlando, Fla.
Height: 6-5
Position: Guard
Class: Senior

Former school: Florida

Denzel Aberdeen played a crucial role in the Gators national championship, run averaging 7.7 points in 39 appearances. In his five starts he averaged 14.4 points and shot 41.4% from three. Aberdeen looks to bring his scoring potential and older presence to the Bluegrass.

#3- Kam Williams 

Hometown: Lafayette, La.
Height: 6-8
Position: Guard
Class: Sophomore

Former school: Tulane

Kam Williams has been a big factor for the Green Wave, only missing four total games during his freshman year. Williams is averaging 41% from 3-point land and put up a season high of 24 points against UAB Blazers. Williams looks to bring his height and consistency to a high-powered offensive side.

 #15- Jaland Lowe

Hometown: Missouri City, Texas
Height: 6-2
Position: Guard
Class: Junior

Former school: Pittsburgh

Jaland Lowe led the Panthers in scoring, averaging 16.8 points per game. Lowe brings talent Kentucky basketball has looked for a while.  Big Blue Nation will be getting to see a gritty playmaker and an efficient shooter at the line. Lowe was ranked top five in free throw percentage and was the third player in program history with 500 or more points in a single season for Pitt.

#21- Jayden Quaintance

Hometown: Cleveland, Oh.
Height: 6-11
Position: Forward
Class: Sophomore

Former school: Arizona State

Jayden Quaintance, a McDonald’s All-American coming from Arizona State, is a second-year forward and was named to the National Defensive Player of the Year Watch List in early February last season and could make a big impact defensively. While averaging nine points and seven rebounds in the desert, his performance was enough to qualify for the Big 12 All-Freshman team. 

#23- Mouhamed Dioubate 

Hometown: Queens, N.Y.
Height: 6-7
Position: Forward
Class: Junior

Former School: Alabama 

Dioubate appeared in all 37 games last season for the Tide, averaging 7.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. The 6-foot-7 forward helped lead Alabama to back-to-back March Madness runs, including the Elite Eight most recently and the Final Four his freshman season. 

Last season, he averaged 7.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game, recording six double-doubles while shooting 46.2% from three. He led the team in rebounds for 10 different games and ranked second on the team with 70 offensive rebounds. Diobate enters the season on ESPN and On3’s All-Defensive Team.

#33- Reece Potter

Hometown: Lexington
Height: 7-1
Position: Forward
Class: Junior

Former School: Miami (OH)

Reece Potter will be returning to his hometown in Lexington. Potter averaged 6.5 points and 3.7 rebounds with the Red Hawks, along with 21 blocks last season. A transfer like Potter will be a significant piece and will also add more of an experienced side to the lineup.

Welcome Back

#00- Otega Oweh 

Hometown: Newark, N.J.
Height: 6-4
Position: Guard
Class: Senior

After announcing his return for one final season, Oweh has become one of the most notable and well-known players on Kentucky’s roster. He entered the season on the Jerry West Award and NABC Player of the Year watch lists and was named the SEC Preseason Player of the Year. After spending two seasons at Oklahoma, Oweh transferred to Kentucky and averaged 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game. A 2024-25 NABC All-District First Team and second-team All-SEC selection, he led the Wildcats in scoring and steals, became a 1,000-point career scorer, and hit two game-winners against his former team.

 #5- Collin Chandler

Hometown: Farmington, Utah
Height: 6-5
Position: Guard
Class: Sophomore

Collin Chandler proved to be a reliable guard for Pope last season and looks to continue his momentum as a sophomore. Chandler had a big impact coming off the bench for the Wildcats in the NCAA first round game against Troy last season, tallying nine points, an assist and a steal.

#9- Trent Noah

Hometown: Harlan, Ky.
Height: 6-5
Position: Forward
Class: Sophomore

Coming off an outstanding freshman campaign, Trent Noah averaged 2.7 points and 1.9 rebounds per game last season. Noah, the eastern Kentucky icon, made his name known to Big Blue Nation with his performance against Tennessee last February, sinking three 3-pointers in a crucial conference win in a push toward a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament. 

#10 – Brandon Garrison

Hometown: Oklahoma City, OK.
Height: 6-10
Position: Forward
Class: Junior

Brandon Garrison proved his importance in the paint last season heavily by averaging 5.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.9 assist. Garrison is one of four siblings and chose to come to Kentucky due to his relationship with Pope.

 #11- Walker Horn

Hometown: Austin, Texas
Height: 6-3
Position: Guard
Class: Senior

Walker Horn will be entering his fourth season with the Wildcats. Despite being a backup, he has seen appearances in multiple NCAA tournament games. Horn will look to prove to be another reliable substitute for Pope this season.

 #20- Zach Tow

Hometown: Madisonville, Ky.
Height: 6-5
Position: Forward
Class: Senior

While only playing in two games last year, Zach Tow has another opportunity to show the Lexington faithful what he has in his toolbox. In high school, Tow was a First-Team All-Region at Madisonville North Hopkins High School. Furthermore, he averaged 12.5 points and 11.5 rebounds as a senior.