"Who's Coming to Kentucky?" Thread (UPDATE: Kentucky Lands Jaxson Robinson!)

[Catsrock]

I understand this group of guys has pretty good $ being thrown at them to finish up their college careers at some big name schools. But ideally they’re 23 year old guys who’ve realized 3 and 4 years in college did not make the NBA salivate over them. Hope their goal is to join a team that could be really good and buy into the team concept, give it their all, enjoy the ride—and in the end who knows? Maybe the NBA is impressed with a couple of them.

Even the great Cal didn’t magically transform Reid Travis and Nate Sestina into lottery picks. I will root for all of them at UK and beyond, but I hope they come in with a team mentality and see where that can take them. If they make a final 4 run I bet someone gets noticed.

[SCBlu]

Has anyone heard anything about Lanier's visit to Lexington? He's been there since Monday morning and I haven't heard anything.

[Matt Dillon]

Has anyone heard anything about Lanier's visit to Lexington? He's been there since Monday morning and I haven't heard anything.

He arrived in Knoxville late last night.

[Joneslab]

Generally the last school that gets a visit gets the player. Not always.

Was hoping that he'd dropped Tennessee for some reason, but I guess not. Kind of disappointing but expected. When he became available Tennessee was thought to be a near-lock. That Kentucky even got involved at all was kinda surprising.

[SCBlu]

I fear Lanier's "team" is using UK & BYU as leverage, NIL-wise, to boost his payout with UT. Hope I'm wrong

[Catsrock]

I fear Lanier's "team" is using UK & BYU as leverage, NIL-wise, to boost his payout with UT. Hope I'm wrong

No it’s against the rules to use NIL to entice a player to a school. Get it 🤣🤣🤣!

[justford]

It’s like a vehicle for sale. Asking (insert number) or best offer (obo)

[Joneslab]

What’s worse? The fact that high school basketball is just like that. And has been for awhile.

My alma mater in the 606 was looking for a player 7 or 8 years ago. Apparently there’s a database where coaches can look. The coach got on there, found a kid from the Bronx of all places, and they got him enrolled for one season.

[George]

This morning’s Lanier updates all lean toward UT.

[KentuckyWild2020]

Rumor mill

[KentuckyWild2020]

If true, Robinson would fill the void but I still like Poplar.

If we don't land any of these guys, we still need a depth big and I am confident we already have some bucket getters on the squad as we speak....

[Joneslab]

We definitely have enough shooting. Not sure if we have "scoring," i.e. a guy(s) who can break the defense down against the shot clock. Pope's offense doesn't necessarily call for that so much, but nonetheless teams need those guys. Preferably more than one.

Not sure Robinson is that type of guy because outside of clips I haven't really seen him play, but he has the measurables of a really good SEC player. And he's proven that he can put up points in a power conference against really good teams. He'd be a good piece...and a necessary one IMO.

[KentuckyWild2020]

We definitely have enough shooting. Not sure if we have "scoring," i.e. a guy(s) who can break the defense down against the shot clock. Pope's offense doesn't necessarily call for that so much, but nonetheless teams need those guys. Preferably more than one.

Not sure Robinson is that type of guy because outside of clips I haven't really seen him play, but he has the measurables of a really good SEC player. And he's proven that he can put up points in a power conference against really good teams. He'd be a good piece...and a necessary one IMO.

Thing with Robinson is I would assume he knows the system and would know what to expect from Pope, that has to have great value in itself in my opinion...

I still like Poplar but at this point, it's probably all about the best deal. Not sure Pope is ready to break the bank, may just want to develop what he has, I don't know..

[KentuckyWild2020]

From 5 days ago...

• 5. NBA Draft
  
  
  
  Wooga Poplar has clarified that he would love to play in the NBA. That is no surprise, as 99% of college basketball players have that same dream. Poplar played at the G-League Elite Camp and performed well on the second day but could not secure an invitation to the NBA Combine. Not being invited to the Combine puts a damper on the likelihood he would be selected in the 2024 NBA Draft, and he has until May 29 to withdraw his name. The fact that Poplar began visits to schools right after not being invited to the Combine means he may be leaning towards a return to school, but he has yet to withdraw his name from the draft, leaving it as a possibility.
• 1. Villanova Wildcats
  
  
  
  Former Miami Hurricanes guard Wooga Poplar averaged career-highs in points (13.1), rebounds (4.8), and assists (2.1). Still, it was a disappointing junior season for a player that many expected to have an All-ACC campaign. The rising senior entered his name into the NBA Draft and entered the transfer portal heading into a potential senior season. Poplar is originally from Philadelphia, and the Villanova Wildcats are considered a favorite to land him if he returns to school. It was reported that Poplar visited Villanova on May 16, and the Wildcats could use a scoring punch as they try to return to the NCAA Tournament.
  
  Villanova 2025 NCAA Title Odds: +12000
• 2. Kentucky Wildcats
  
  
  
  New University of Kentucky head coach Mark Pope has assembled a reasonably strong transfer portal class after taking over a barren roster in Lexington. He is looking for additional talent, and a scoring guard who can be a threat from the perimeter is the primary target for Pope’s staff. Players like Chaz Lanier of North Florida and Jaxson Robinson from BYU are potential options, along with Wooga Poplar. Poplar’s father told the media that the former Hurricanes guard is attempting to schedule a visit to Lexington to meet with the staff and determine whether or not Kentucky is a serious player for his final season.
  
  Kentucky 2025 NCAA Title Odds: +4500

[George]

I don’t buy the “fit” talk re: Lanier. Sounds like it was a simple matter of the agent driving up the price, and UK standing pat at their limit.

I wouldn’t mind, except recent rumors have Kansas in the lead for Robinson if he returns to college.