It’s just about basketball time once again in the bluegrass, with the mens basketball team looking to redeem itself. This year’s squad is fresh off a 28-8 season that saw the team earn a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament before being abruptly eliminated in the first round against Saint Peter’s.

The Wildcats come into the new season looking very familiar with eight out of a possible 15 players being returners. Of the new players, most are freshmen including two highly-touted likely one-and-dones and one is a veteran mid-major transfer. With a lot of veteran leadership combined with talented and energetic youth prospects, the sky’s the limit for Kentucky.

Meet the team:

Jacob Toppin – 0

Year: Senior

Hometown: Brooklyn, New York

Position: Forward

2021-2022 Stats:

6.2 PPG

3.2 RPG

1.1 APG

About: Toppin is entering his third and, what looks to be his most influential, season with the WIldcats. He can be expected to be in the starting lineup with the departure of Keion Brooks Jr. during the offseason with his athleticism looking to prove to be pivotal for Kentucky this season. If Toppin can hit outside shots consistently, Toppin will likely make the Cats a threat all across the floor.

Fun Fact: Toppin can play the piano.

CJ Frederick – 1

Year: Redshirt senior

Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio

Position: Guard

2021-2022 Stats:

0.0 PPG

0.0 RPG

0.0 APG

About: After missing the entirety of last season, the expectations are through the roof for Frederick. He underwent hamstring surgery in November, ultimately the cause of him missing the season, but he returned to action during the 2022 Big Blue Bahamas tournament, though he didn’t seem to be entirely back to normal with his shot. If Frederick can get back to being comfortable with his shot from beyond the arc, he looks to be a pivotal piece of this Kentucky squad.

Fun Fact: Frederick won the 2018 Kentucky High School Athletic Association championship in
Rupp Arena for Covington Catholic.

Sahvir Wheeler – 2

Year: Senior

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Position: Guard

2021-2022 Stats:

10.1 PPG

2.6 RPG

6.9 APG

About: A new haircut and veteran leadership are among the many things that Wheeler brings to the table for this Kentucky team. His blazing speed will look to help the Wildcats both in transition and to space out the floor. He finished last season as a finalist for the Bob Cousy award, an award given to the nation’s best point guard. However, Wheeler still has room for improvement when it comes to shooting, something he seems to have worked on in the offseason.

Fun Fact: Wheeler dunked for the first time when he was 17 years old.

Adou Thiero – 3

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Leetsdale, Pennsylvania

Position: Guard

2021-2022 Stats (High School):

23.3 PPG

10.3 RPG

5.9 APG

About: Thiero surprised many with his level of play in the Bahamas over the summer, with his ability to run the floor and athleticism sure to give head coach John Calipari a headache when thinking of his starting rotation. Thiero was named WPIAL Player of the Year and the 2022 TribLive HSSN Boys Basketball Player of the Year, with the freshman now likely hoping to provide a much-needed spark off the bench during the season.

Fun Fact: Thiero’s most prized possession is his shoe collection.

Daimion Collins – 4

Year: Sophomore

Hometown: Atlanta, Texas

Position: Forward

2021-2022 Stats:

2.9 PPG

2.0 RPG

0.1 APG

About: Collins enters his second year at Kentucky after a freshman campaign that didn’t see him on the court too much. That said, the way in which he is able to finish the ball and his impressive vertical at his size is something that is sure to make NBA scouts and coaches eager to get their hands on him. Whether or not Collins is a starter for the Wildcats this season, expect his contributions to be far greater in a season where, if he breaks out, could see him NBA-bound.

Fun Fact: Collins’ favorite basketball player is Kevin Durant.

Antonio Reeves – 12

Year: Senior

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Position: Guard

2021-2022 Stats (Illinois State):

20.1 PPG

3.6 RPG

1.8 APG

About: Reeves impressed many in the Bahamas, shooting the lights out from beyond the arc. He finished last season ranked 19th among all scorers in Division-1 at Illinois State, which will likely prove to be a necessity for Kentucky this year. Reeves made a clear case that he should start this season for the Wildcats, especially if Frederick isn’t able to go yet.

Fun Fact: Reeves’ favorite movie is “Bad Boys.”

Grant Darbyshire – 13

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio

Position: Guard

2021-2022 Stats (High School):

2.5 PPG

Recorded 14 points and six rebounds on his Senior Night.

About: The Florence, Kentucky, native comes to Lexington after being team captain on his high
school team. Darbyshire shot 43% from 3-point range in his junior year and came to Lexington as a walk-on.

Fun Fact: Darbyshire was a member of the Spanish Honor Society in high school.

Brennan Canada – 14

Year: Senior

Hometown: Mount Sterling, Kentucky

Position: Guard

2021-2022 Stats:

0.7 PPG

0.1 RPG

0.1 APG

About: Canada appeared in a career-high nine games for Kentucky last season, recording his
first career points against Central Michigan and contributing a block versus Tennessee in Rupp
Arena. Canada was inducted into the Frank G. Ham Society of Character.

Fun Fact: Canada was a 4.0 student in high school.

Walker Horn – 21

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Austin, Texas

Position: Guard

2021-2022 Stats (High School):

9.3 PPG

5.2 APG

2.4 RPG

About: Horn knows the area well considering he played his first two seasons of high school ball at Covington Catholic, similar to CJ Frederick, before attending Westlake in Austin, Texas. He was an academic all-district selection and graduated high school with distinction.

Fun Fact: Horn’s favorite food is tacos.

Cason Wallace – 22

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Dallas, Texas

Position: Guard

2021-2022 Stats (High School):

19.9 PPG

7.4 RPG

6.1 APG

About: Wallace enters his first year at Kentucky as a five-star recruit and one of the most highly touted guards in the country. He was the 2022 Texas Gatorade Player of the Year, with high expectations in Lexington. Expect a physical guard who can serve as a floor general and get to the rim with ease. It’ll be little surprise if this is Wallace’s only year in Lexington, as he has the capacity to be a lottery pick come next year.

Fun Fact: Wallace’s favorite TV show is “SpongeBob SquarePants.”

Chris Livingston – 24

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Akron, Ohio

Position: Forward

2021-2022 Stats (High School):

18.2 PPG

9.1 RPG

3.9 APG

About: Livingston, the McDonald’s All-American and five-star recruit, enters his first year at Kentucky boasting a massive frame and impressive athleticism. He showed potential with his deep shooting in the Bahamas as well as his interior game. Expect one of Livingston or Wallace to be within the starting lineup at the start of the season, with both being capable. Livingston, the 2022 Gatorade Virginia Player of the Year, may be too talented to keep on the bench once the season gets underway.

Fun Fact: Livingston’s favorite movie is “The Great Gatsby.”

Kareem Watkins – 25

Year: Junior

Hometown: Camden, New Jersey

Position: Guard

2021-2022 Stats:
Watkins played in nine games, recording three rebounds, two assists and two steals.

About: Watkins averaged 8.7 PPG in his senior year at Kingsway Regional, playing in all 26
games. He joined Kentucky in 2020-2021 as a walk-on where he featured in the last game of the regular-season versus South Carolina.

Fun Fact: Watkins says that Kemba Walker is his favorite NBA player.

Ugonna Onyenso – 33

Year: Freshman

Hometown: Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

Position: Forward

2021-2022 Stats (High School):

11.4 PPG

9.0 RPG

About: Onyenso reclassified into the 2022 class to join Kentucky this summer after playing his senior season at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut. Onyenso also attended the NBA Academy Africa before high school. With the likes of Collins and Oscar Tshiebwe on the roster, Onyenso’s role on the team has yet to be seen.

Fun Fact: Onyenso’s favorite UK player is Anthony Davis.

Oscar Tshiebwe – 34

Year: Senior

Hometown: Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Position: Forward

2021-2022 Stats:

17.4 PPG

15.1 RPG

1.1 APG

About: This guy might be good this year, right? Coming back for his second year at Kentucky last season saw him named unanimous National Player of the Year, making him the first Wildcat ever to win all six NCAA-recognized awards for best player in the country. After averaging a double-double with ease, “Big O” returns to Lexington much to the delight of Wildcat fans, as the big man is easily a fan favorite. Tshiebwe looks to lead the charge for Kentucky’s hopes at a national title. Tshiebwe hasn’t been shy this offseason in expressing his goal is to bring a championship to the bluegrass. With 3-point shooting added to his arsenal from this offseason, he very well may succeed.

Fun Fact: Tshiebwe chose the No. 34 because of his love for former NBA player Hakeem Olajuwon.

Lance Ware – 55

Year: Junior

Hometown: Camden, New Jersey

Position: Forward

2021-2022 Stats:

1.5 PPG

1.9 RPG

0.1 APG

About: Returning for his third year at Kentucky, Ware looks to return to his role as part of the heart and soul of this Kentucky team. He was able to snag career-highs in points and blocks last season and, being dubbed a “glue guy,” he will look to get increased minutes this year. Regardless, one thing about his game is for certain: when he is on the court, Ware’s presence never goes unnoticed.

Fun Fact: Ware listens to Drake’s music before suiting up for a game.