2026-2027 Roster discussion thread

[WeWant9]

So, right now, if we don’t add anyone, I think Pope is looking at something like this as our main 9-man rotation(with estimated minutes):

PG Diallo(30)/Wilkins(10)
SG Wilkins(20)/Morton(20)
SF K. Williams(25)/Hawthorne(15)
PF N’Diaye(20)/McBride(20)
C Moreno(30)/Potter(10)

Hopefully, Pope adds another big man to possibly push Potter out of the rotation or at the very least give us another option. Right now, Santos seems to be the leading candidate there. I could see Potter and Santos actually splitting the backup Center minutes. Might not be a bad thing to have two guys fighting it out for minutes there.

Overall, a lot rests on Diallo and Wilkins becoming an elite backcourt and Moreno (assuming he pulls out of the draft) becoming a force in the middle. Kam is going to be a solid role player. He is a 3 and D guy. He’ll hit some spot up 3’s to stretch the defense a bit and he will play good defense. N’Diaye and McBride will hopefully give us shooting and rebounding at the 4 spot. Hawthorne and Morton provide shooting off the bench on the wings.

The ball is going to be in Diallo’s or Wilkins’ hands 90% of possessions, I would assume. They should both average double digit points. Their first look is probably going to be Moreno in the post. He’ll average double digit points as well, most likely. The rest of the team will score off kick outs and rebounds. Kam might average double digits. I don’t see anyone else being double digit scorers.

Could be a fun, hard working blue collar type team. Underdog type. Hopefully a bunch of guys will be overachievers.

That’s just my guess on how things are going to look. Adding another piece or two could alter that outlook some. Most likely, we will add a couple more role players. I don’t think there is a star out there that we could add that could make a huge impact.

I’m ready to roll with the punches and hopefully the season is as much a surprise in a good way this year as it was in a bad way last year.

This is kind of where I am at. I don't expect any more real big pick ups, but I do think they should try and throw that Stokes' money at someone testing the draft waters. We will need Diallo and Wilkins to mesh well and be floor generals. We probably go as far as they can take us. I thought K. Williams was coming into his own before the foot injury, hopefully he gets back to that. Moreno seemed to hit a wall by the end of last season, but I do think we see a nice Frosh to Soph jump for him. I won't pretend to know anything on N'Diaye. The grouping of Hawthorne, McBride, and Morton all seem like decent/solid rotational pieces. I would feel more comfortable if we could get some beef to back up Moreno.

Probably not a team that enters next season ranked, or towards that 20-25 range, but they will get ample opportunities to show they belong in the ooc part of the schedule. We just need to hope this is the type of team that gels well with each other and Pope. I think that was a major issue last year.

[bucsrule8872]

So, right now, if we don’t add anyone, I think Pope is looking at something like this as our main 9-man rotation(with estimated minutes):

PG Diallo(30)/Wilkins(10)
SG Wilkins(20)/Morton(20)
SF K. Williams(25)/Hawthorne(15)
PF N’Diaye(20)/McBride(20)
C Moreno(30)/Potter(10)

Hopefully, Pope adds another big man to possibly push Potter out of the rotation or at the very least give us another option. Right now, Santos seems to be the leading candidate there. I could see Potter and Santos actually splitting the backup Center minutes. Might not be a bad thing to have two guys fighting it out for minutes there.

Overall, a lot rests on Diallo and Wilkins becoming an elite backcourt and Moreno (assuming he pulls out of the draft) becoming a force in the middle. Kam is going to be a solid role player. He is a 3 and D guy. He’ll hit some spot up 3’s to stretch the defense a bit and he will play good defense. N’Diaye and McBride will hopefully give us shooting and rebounding at the 4 spot. Hawthorne and Morton provide shooting off the bench on the wings.

The ball is going to be in Diallo’s or Wilkins’ hands 90% of possessions, I would assume. They should both average double digit points. Their first look is probably going to be Moreno in the post. He’ll average double digit points as well, most likely. The rest of the team will score off kick outs and rebounds. Kam might average double digits. I don’t see anyone else being double digit scorers.

Could be a fun, hard working blue collar type team. Underdog type. Hopefully a bunch of guys will be overachievers.

That’s just my guess on how things are going to look. Adding another piece or two could alter that outlook some. Most likely, we will add a couple more role players. I don’t think there is a star out there that we could add that could make a huge impact.

I’m ready to roll with the punches and hopefully the season is as much a surprise in a good way this year as it was in a bad way last year.

[UKHoops01]

Correct.

But I think Zyon is essentially a walk-on. I wasn’t counting him. I think he’s more of a 2 guard. If it gets to the point that he is our primary ball handler, we are in serious trouble.

I think he'll be a redshirt (depending on how the NCAA rules on the whole 5 years proposition). I'm not expecting (or hoping) that he'll see any action....I expect him to see about as much as his brother saw last year...but he has committed and is on next year's roster, as of now.

[KentuckyWild2020]

It's clear, the top players really aren't lining up to play for Pope. I get it, players want the safer route, the branded route, a coach who is proven with a reputation. Look at Purdue, good coach, good players, still no star power really, still no Championship, I don't want to be another Purdue.

To solve this problem, Pope has to win with so so players the old fashioned way. If he can consistently win and get a reputation within the ranks, maybe he will be able to land those top freshman and portal players down the road? For now it's the old fashioned way, everyone on the same page, everyone knowing the role, no egos', great x's and o's gameplan, 110% effort. Is it good enough, time will tell....

[bucsrule8872]

Since Santos hasn't committed, I removed him....but didn't Braydon Hawthorne's little brother commit? I believe he's a combo guard, but he'd probably be pencilled in at Point Guard for now.

Correct.

But I think Zyon is essentially a walk-on. I wasn’t counting him. I think he’s more of a 2 guard. If it gets to the point that he is our primary ball handler, we are in serious trouble.

[UKHoops01]

Trueblujr ....I understand that, I was just accurately listing the roster and including a commitment while eliminating someone who has merely been mentioned as an option that Pope is or is planning a visit to.

[Trueblujr]

Since Santos hasn't committed, I removed him....but didn't Braydon Hawthorne's little brother commit? I believe he's a combo guard, but he'd probably be pencilled in at Point Guard for now.

Hawthorne’s brother will be way down the bench. He understands that will be his role too. The Hawthorne brothers are guys we should all be rallying behind and making fan favorites. They’re here because they want to be and not chasing a payday. I think Braydon surprises some folks this year.

[Trueblujr]

Morton is a Cat.
Washington State Guard Jerone Morton Signs With Kentucky - On3

Really good depth piece. Good shooter, maybe takes some of The minutes lost by Chandler leaving.

[Trueblujr]

It's obvious that you're all torn up because we didn't get Stokes, although you should have seen it coming and been prepared for your disappointment. Still, that's no reason to put words in my mouth. I never said anything about the "wow" factor or recruiting.

I’m indifferent about Stokes. I think I would have rather he dissed both us and Kansas for Oregon, would have softened the loss some. He’s going to be one of two things, a great player that pushes for post-season awards or he’s gonna turn an ankle and milk Kansas for 10 months of NIL while sitting on the sidelines. We’re either gonna regret him not coming or be glad he didn’t. I don’t know how this roster will ultimately shake out, if it will be better than last years or if not that necessarily, will it fit Popes system better. As it stands we have a decent roster but still a couple of guys away from making me feel more comfortable.

[UKHoops01]

G Diallo/M. Williams/Z. Hawthorne
G Wilkins/Morton
F K. Williams/B. Hawthorne/Noah
F N’Diaye/McBride
C Moreno/Potter

Since Santos hasn't committed, I removed him....but didn't Braydon Hawthorne's little brother commit? I believe he's a combo guard, but he'd probably be pencilled in at Point Guard for now.

[Matt Dillon]

Morton is a Cat.
Washington State Guard Jerone Morton Signs With Kentucky - On3

[bucsrule8872]

I wonder if the Ryan Hampton recruitment/possible reclassification is the holdup for Morton. Maybe he (or Pope) is waiting to see what will happen there before there's a commitment.

Also, who is Santos? This is the first I'm hearing of him. I'm guessing Devin Williams is out of the picture....

Marcio Santos, a 6-foot-8 center with Maccabi Tel Aviv, averaged 8.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, one assist, and 0.6 blocks during the 2025-26. I think he is originally from Brazil. According to reports, Pope flew to Israel last night to see him.

[UKHoops01]

I’ve got Morton penciled in, I am not sure what the hold up is for him, but I feel pretty confident we get him. He’s from Lexington and grew up a Cats fan.

If we add Santos as well:

G Diallo/M. Williams
G Wilkins/Morton
F K. Williams/Hawthorne/Noah
F N’Diaye/McBride
C Moreno/Santos/Potter

Then all the holes seem to be filled and Pope can concentrate on trying to secure that final piece to the puzzle: a star/go to guy.

Momcilovic?

Joksimovic?

Ryan Hampton(reclass)?

Someone who hasn’t even been discussed at all?

Or is the roster finished with the additions of Morton and Santos (if we can get him)?

I wonder if the Ryan Hampton recruitment/possible reclassification is the holdup for Morton. Maybe he (or Pope) is waiting to see what will happen there before there's a commitment.

Also, who is Santos? This is the first I'm hearing of him. I'm guessing Devin Williams is out of the picture....

[TrueblueCATfan]

I agree with the sentiment that UK should be getting 1 of the top high school recruits and one of the top transfer portal recruits each year. And in that regard Mark Pope IS a failure, make no mistake. We're going on 3 years now where that has been the case.

But as far as Calipari "giving fans hope".....that quit happening before he got his "lifetime contract". It didn't matter if he had the #1 recruiting class....he wasn't winning titles and had proven that he was more worried about "getting these kids to realize their hopes and dreams". He obviously cared more about turning 19 year olds into multi-millionaires and creating "generational wealth" than he did in bringing banners and championships to Lexington.

Besides, how many of Cal's "top talents" flamed out once they got to UK? Oh, they were always rated in the top 25 or so according to Rivals, ESPN, On3, etc., etc., because that's the only way Cal knew to recruit. I don't think he really cared if they were all that good or how great of a fit they were or anything like that.....he just wanted bragging rights over his recruiting class, and how many guys "he put" in the NBA....when truth be told these were guys that were going to the NBA whether they came to Kentucky or if they had gone to USC! But at other schools, they tried to retain them where as Cal pushed them out the door and recruited over them!




Still would love to see Orlando Antigua brought back. It took me a minute to realize just how important he was in recruiting, but I get it now!

And you're right, it's not our problem. And I think it will work itself out sooner rather than later.

I agree...would love to see John Robic back on the sidelines too

[bucsrule8872]

I’ve got Morton penciled in, I am not sure what the hold up is for him, but I feel pretty confident we get him. He’s from Lexington and grew up a Cats fan.

If we add Santos as well:

G Diallo/M. Williams
G Wilkins/Morton
F K. Williams/Hawthorne/Noah
F N’Diaye/McBride
C Moreno/Santos/Potter

Then all the holes seem to be filled and Pope can concentrate on trying to secure that final piece to the puzzle: a star/go to guy.

Momcilovic?

Joksimovic?

Ryan Hampton(reclass)?

Someone who hasn’t even been discussed at all?

Or is the roster finished with the additions of Morton and Santos (if we can get him)?