2026-2027 Roster discussion thread

[GOCAT15]

Figured we might as well start a thread to stay on point with news about who is staying, who's going, potential transfer options and recruits, or lack thereof.

Kam Williams said he would love to be back, but we have all heard that before.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Let the waiting game begin

[WeWant9]

Portal officially opens April 7. I expect a pretty interesting summer for UK.

Only chatter I have seen is UK being linked with a guard from Providence- I do not recall his name

[South jones]

I think kam Williams, Hawthorne , Potter, MM and Lowe are the only ones that might be considered sure returns and the key word there is MIGHT. BG,Chandler, Noah and Diabaute are 50/5. JJ I think will transfer
THE SHADON SHARPE IMPERSONATOR I IS LONG GONE, I HOPE




I

[South jones]

There are a.lot of rumors of turnover of assistant coaches

[WeWant9]

There are a.lot of rumors of turnover of assistant coaches

I would have to think so. You can’t run it back with the same cast after such a mediocre season.

[South jones]

Needs next year;

New assistants
Big man =rim protector-rebounder
Point guard
2 guard=good shooting from 3
3 guard=sniper from 3

I can hope

[TrueblueCATfan]

There are a.lot of rumors of turnover of assistant coaches

GOOD...they all need to go especially Mark Fox

[Pobilly]

Cody F, has been with Pope a long time and will probably still be here. None of our recruiting guys are landing anyone so you might see some of those guys out the door. Not sure it is their fault with all the discussion about our NIL. The culture seems to be missing. Yes guys say the right thing. They have no idea how to implement the actions to get them there. Lost balls in high weeds. I mean yesterday your PG gets the inbound pass on the sideline and waits there for the double team. Just watches the other guy come up and put the trap on him. He should have been moving as soon as he got the ball. You have guys making the same mistakes over and over and do not see improvement throughout the season or even in game. Last year we saw adjustments, in game, all season long. Now this year was it players or did the coaches get stupid from year 1 to 2. Maybe the coaches had no idea how to put square pegs into round holes. Meaning system fits.

[WeWant9]

Sounds like UK is going after an international PG. Duke is also in the mix, and I believe ul. I know nothing about him, but I do like his size for an SEC PG.

A 22-year-old guard from Great Britain, Ellis is currently playing for Olimpia Milano in Italy’s top league and the EuroLeague. The 6-foot-5, 200-pound playmaker is averaging 8.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game in Lega Basket Serie A while continuing to develop against high-level professional competition.

https://www.aseaofblue.com/kentucky-wildcats-basketball/166642/quinn-ellis-duke-blue-devils-uk-recruiting

[ganner918]

Anybody COULD make a decision to leave but I'm not sure why so many people think Chandler is going to leave. He committed to Pope at BYU, followed him to UK, and this year started most games and played a lot of minutes. There's been zero rumbling of discontent. I'd expect him to return, along with Williams and Hawthorne.

There's been talk of Moreno seeking money this coming year, so we'll have to see what happens there. I have no idea if Lowe is being asked to come back, if he would come back with a reduced role... I'd have to guess gone. Dioubate might have gotten more of a paycheck than we want to give him. I'd be ok with him back as a reserve (provided we have other guys who are playmakers/shooters) but at a reduced cost. Jelavic is giving vibes of a guy who's unhappy. I think we need a stud 4 in the portal but one of Jelavic and Dioubate as reserve would be good. Pope always seemed to like Garrison but he's just so hit or miss and he almost left last year... no idea what to expect here. I'd welcome Noah back as a depth/practice/emergency piece but who knows if he's ok continuing in a minor role.

We need a stud point guard, we need a stud forward, we need more shooting.

[Pobilly]

Anybody COULD make a decision to leave but I'm not sure why so many people think Chandler is going to leave. He committed to Pope at BYU, followed him to UK, and this year started most games and played a lot of minutes. There's been zero rumbling of discontent. I'd expect him to return, along with Williams and Hawthorne.

There's been talk of Moreno seeking money this coming year, so we'll have to see what happens there. I have no idea if Lowe is being asked to come back, if he would come back with a reduced role... I'd have to guess gone. Dioubate might have gotten more of a paycheck than we want to give him. I'd be ok with him back as a reserve (provided we have other guys who are playmakers/shooters) but at a reduced cost. Jelavic is giving vibes of a guy who's unhappy. I think we need a stud 4 in the portal but one of Jelavic and Dioubate as reserve would be good. Pope always seemed to like Garrison but he's just so hit or miss and he almost left last year... no idea what to expect here. I'd welcome Noah back as a depth/practice/emergency piece but who knows if he's ok continuing in a minor role.

We need a stud point guard, we need a stud forward, we need more shooting.

Collin was talking about the amount of pressure from the fans when this team is having issues and such. He also was directly asked and he did not say he was coming back. Gave the i will talk with my family. If he got way less $$$ than some of the other guys he might be searching for some extra $$$. He is the family man on the team as well as BG and his children. I think everyone is also projecting feelings on or to the guys, heck even my post here can be that.

[WeWant9]

Collin was talking about the amount of pressure from the fans when this team is having issues and such. He also was directly asked and he did not say he was coming back. Gave the i will talk with my family. If he got way less $$$ than some of the other guys he might be searching for some extra $$$. He is the family man on the team as well as BG and his children. I think everyone is also projecting feelings on or to the guys, heck even my post here can be that.

I will say this and it might tick some fans off, but whatever...I wouldn't be surprised to see any of these guys leave after this season. They got boo'd off the court in Nashville, got boo'd in Rupp, and have been run up and down most of the season online (never would boo, but guilty of online venting). I am not telling anyone how to be a fan, but lets not act surprised if some of the guys we hoped would be back are gone.

[GOCAT15]

I will say this and it might tick some fans off, but whatever...I wouldn't be surprised to see any of these guys leave after this season. They got boo'd off the court in Nashville, got boo'd in Rupp, and have been run up and down most of the season online (never would boo, but guilty of online venting). I am not telling anyone how to be a fan, but lets not act surprised if some of the guys we hoped would be back are gone.

Valid point. As frustrated as I have been with this team and it's apparent lack of effort at times I would never boo them. I just don't know how as a player that wouldn't anger you and pretty much want to tell the whole fanbase to screw off.

[Jload]

I never have and never will boo a UK player or coach. That said most of these guys are making more money for 1 season than the average Kentucky resident makes in 20 years. Does that lower the tolerance threshold for perceived under performance and lack of effort, I think it does. Most of our players are not your daddies " student athletes ". You want to get paid like a man then booing may be something you have to deal with, just like the pros.