2025-26 Roster Chatter (UPDATE: Oweh Returns, Roster Complete)

[George]

We're beginning to hear about possible transfer options, so use this space to discuss portal entries, last-minute recruiting options (e.g., foreign players), returning players, and roster wish lists for next season.

I'll maintain a running list of players who are rumored to be possible additions for Kentucky:

• Reed Bailey - Davidson
• Hannes Steinbach - Germany
• Elyjah Freeman - Lincoln Memorial University
• Josh Dix - Iowa
• Max Green - Holy Cross
• Kam Williams - Committed to UK
• Alvaro Folgueiras - Robert Morris
• Lamar Wilkerson - Sam Houston
• Mackenzie Mgbako - Indiana
• Jaron Pierre - Jacksonville St.
• Wesley Yates - USC

[Joneslab]

Nothing on North Dakota's Treyson Eaglestaff?

[George]

Nothing on North Dakota's Treyson Eaglestaff?

I knew I was forgetting someone. Edited the OP.

Though to say he's "connected to UK" is probably about as loose a use of the phrase as can be said of anyone on the list. He'll be "connected" to every team in America.

[Joneslab]

Braden Smith is obviously the jewel in that bunch. Would be getting a guy who's played for a national championship and is a first-team all-Big Ten performer. Would be a massive get at guard for us and would bolster the freshmen guards who'd be playing around him.

Smith, Agbim/Eaglestaff, the freshmen, and hopefully get Oweh back and you've got, on paper, one of these elite backcourts that you saw from Florida, Auburn, and Alabama this past season.

[George]

Braden Smith is obviously the jewel in that bunch. Would be getting a guy who's played for a national championship and is a first-team all-Big Ten performer. Would be a massive get at guard for us and would bolster the freshmen guards who'd be playing around him.

Smith, Agbim/Eaglestaff, the freshmen, and hopefully get Oweh back and you've got, on paper, one of these elite backcourts that you saw from Florida, Auburn, and Alabama this past season.

That'd be a haul. If Pope could add the Bailey kid, too, I'd feel pretty good about things. That guy can move so well at his size.

[Catsrock]

Smith is currently Big 1? Player of the year

[George]

KSR's Jacob Polacheck says UK has reached out to Lincoln Memorial University's Elyjah Freeman. This one is weird for me; I grew up in Middlesboro, now live in Harrogate, and worked at LMU for a while, so the idea of one of their players being UK-caliber is hard for me to imagine. At the same time, his athleticism is evident, and you may recall that St. Louis's Josh Schertz built LMU into a D2 national power, so it isn't like the guy played for a scrub program.

Still, I'm hoping this says a lot more about the player than UK.

[Joneslab]

KSR's Jacob Polacheck says UK has reached out to Lincoln Memorial University's Elyjah Freeman. This one is weird for me; I grew up in Middlesboro, now live in Harrogate, and worked at LMU for a while, so the idea of one of their players being UK-caliber is hard for me to imagine. At the same time, his athleticism is evident, and you may recall that St. Louis's Josh Schertz built LMU into a D2 national power, so it isn't like the guy played for a scrub program.

Still, I'm hoping this says a lot more about the player than UK.

Auburn's Chaney Johnson is a D2 transfer.

Jack Gohlke was a D2 transfer.

You wouldn't want to build the top of your roster that way...but maybe the bottom. I think the bottom of our rotation this year has been weak, as is evident to nearly everybody who watched us. If he can bolster that, then that's a pretty major plus.

[DA#23]

Based entirely on a short clip of highlights…give me Hans Steinbach!!

[justford]

Nevada player Nick Davidson has been contacted by UK.

[Joneslab]

Nevada player Nick Davidson has been contacted by UK.

Another player who's had a really big jump between his freshmen and junior years. And looks like he can really shoot it (at that level).

He's looking for the Andrew Carr replacement with some of these players.

[Joneslab]

Looks like Iowa's Josh Dix is on the radar at Kentucky.

Averaged 14 a game. Good three-point shooter. REALLY big jump from sophomore to junior year.

[DA#23]

UNLV’s Dedan Thomas Jr. has been hearing from Pope and Hart.

Also saw comment that Chandler’s fiancé will join him at UK….

[George]

Also saw comment that Chandler’s fiancé will join him at UK….

Saw that, too. Hope it’s true. Chandler finally looks like he’s beginning to round into form.

[Joneslab]

Talked to a UofL fan at work yesterday and he seemed to think they were getting the guy from Nevada, Nick Davidson. The way he talked he'd pretty much put him on next year's roster.

Also mentioned a "German professional player that we're getting," who I assume is Hannes Steinbach.