Portal

[Rondo#9]

Really
https://www.on3.com/rivals/jordan-burks-150275/
Ranked 424 and the number 73 SF
What have we sunk to?

Same thing happened with Sebastian Williams-Adams at 247 before they adjusted his rating and changed it 2 days later. He cracked the top 40 after that.

Do you realize how stupid you would have to be to believe Jordan Burks is the 73rd best SF in the portal? Did you do no research of your own? Do you not watch basketball?

Like I said already, he averaged 13.3 ppg on 46 % shooting from the field and 37% from 3 in the Big 12. I would ask if you watched him play when he dropped 20 on UCLA in the tournament, 20+ in a win over BYU, so on and so forth, but it's clear you don't watch much basketball outside of UK.

[OscarFan]

Burks is easily one of the best available players in the portal.

Really
https://www.on3.com/rivals/jordan-burks-150275/
Ranked 424 and the number 73 SF
What have we sunk to?

[KentuckyWild2020]

In a world of crazy anything can happen. We get Stokes and JQ comes back. JQ's stock is sliding, we need a PF, he owes us a favor..

[Rondo#9]

Burks is easily one of the best available players in the portal.

[Rondo#9]

Not sure you'd need to throw 2 mil at Burks. Not even sure he's worth 2 mil.

Are we just trying to fill out the roster or are we still trying to land a stud?

With the number of Small Forwards already on the roster, unless Burks can play the 4 I think we should be holding on to as much cash as possible for either Stokes, Momcilovic or Yesseffou.

Burks can play the 4. Not ideal, but apparently he played quite a bit at the 4 for UCF (if you believe what Aaron Torres says. He was talking about Jordan Burks being a potential Trevon Brazille replacement for Arkansas.) Burks won't exactly be cheap either, he just averaged 13.3 per game on 46% from the field & 37% from three. & He definitely passed the eye test in the games I watched this season (vs BYU, vs UCLA)

In the scenario I was talking about, they'd still have money for a "stud" .... We watched basically every other option dry up.

You wouldn't want Burks & 1 of Yessoufou/Momciliovic if Stokes falls through? That seems like best case scenario at this current juncture if Stokes doesn't come. All these scenarios still seem unlikely to me btw, I'm just spitballing

[UKHoops01]

I read that Crawford coming is a long shot, If Stokes' decision depends on that I wouldn't count on it. It was worth a try though.

I'd throw a couple million at Jordan Burks, then throw the remaining money (that would've went to Stokes), at Yesseffou & Momciliovic, see if you can get 1 of those 2 to bite, doesn't really matter which. And keep enough money available to round out the roster with guys like Dynes (or Devin Williams), and Morton from Washington State.

I already assume McBride to UK is a done deal, haven't heard about any other schools really being in hot pursuit of him but who knows.

Not sure you'd need to throw 2 mil at Burks. Not even sure he's worth 2 mil.

Are we just trying to fill out the roster or are we still trying to land a stud?

With the number of Small Forwards already on the roster, unless Burks can play the 4 I think we should be holding on to as much cash as possible for either Stokes, Momcilovic or Yesseffou.

[Rondo#9]

I read that Crawford coming is a long shot, he's got 3 kids that live with him in Seattle. If Stokes' decision depends on that I wouldn't count on it. It was worth a try though, I guess.

I'd throw a couple million at Jordan Burks, then throw the remaining money (that would've went to Stokes), at Yesseffou & Momciliovic, see if you can get 1 of those 2 to bite, doesn't really matter which. And keep enough money available to round out the roster with guys like Dynes (or Devin Williams), and Morton from Washington State.

I already assume McBride to UK is a done deal, haven't heard about any other schools really being in hot pursuit of him but who knows, nothing would surprise me at this point.

[Pobilly]

From Through the Phog site.

https://throughthephog.com/mark-pope-s-new-pursuit-of-tyran-stokes-should-actually-have-kansas-fans-worried-01kpy1dvc8xj

[TrueblueCATfan]

I will believe it when it comes from Stokes

[Pobilly]

From Kansas fan x account:
McWilliams Time
@McWilliamsTime
·
1h
Sounds like Tyran stokes to Kentucky is about a done deal. Pope threw the bank at stokes to the point he can’t say no. Mark pope has never coached a first round draft pick in his head coaching career, & UK hasn’t been to a final four in over a decade. Nike wins again.

https://x.com/McWilliamsTime

[Pobilly]

Senagalese forward Ousmane Ndiaye is on Kentucky’s radar, per Jacob Polacheck.

Ousmane Ndiaye (born March 19, 2004) is a 6'11" (211 cm) Senegalese forward/center known for his mobility, perimeter game, and 3-point shooting. As of 2025-2026, he has played for Vanoli Cremona in Italy's LBA, having previously developed in Spain with Baskonia and Palencia. He is recognized as a high-potential international prospect

This is not portal but heck this is where everyone is going. I will post on Roster as well.

https://edemirnba.substack.com/p/ousmane-ndiaye-scouting-report

[Rondo#9]

Per UCF he played the 4 this year and flourished. Before he was playing more of the 3 at Georgetown and only averaged 5.4 ppg.

I thought he started at the 3, with Stillwell at the 4 and John Bol the starting 5.
But
I don't see too many forwards or centers on UCF's roster so yea, I'm sure he played a large chunk of his minutes at the 4.

I'm not gonna get my hopes up, Pope probably won't even show any interest. Smh

[Pobilly]

Nevermind, it looks like he was only a junior somehow so he's eligible. I'd take him in a heartbeat. Doesn't fix our PF problem, but you start him at the 3 and make Kam Williams the 6th man. Both could play the 4 in a pinch.

Burks averages 13.3 ppg on 45.5% from the field & 37% from the 3 while playing in the Big 12. Yes please. Get on it Mark, start reaching out now.

Per UCF he played the 4 this year and flourished. Before he was playing more of the 3 at Georgetown and only averaged 5.4 ppg.

[Rondo#9]

Found an Instagram from 4 hours ago that states he is in fact in the portal.

Yup, I see him in the portal & you're right he was a junior this past season.


Off topic, but were the rumors of Christian Anderson from Texas Tech being in the portal fake news? I never saw him listed anywhere at any point in time.



1 more thing that's random & off topic. = John Blackwell said he picked Duke because he wanted to play on the ball more "and that's just not something I was not able to do at Wisconsin" .... does he not realize Duke has 3 point guards & he'll be playing off the ball again? How the hell does Scheyer do what he does? Duke chokes in embarrassing fashion year after year it's become a tradition at this point, yet players keep leaping at any chance they get to go play for John Scheyer. Weird if you ask me. I get that it's Duke & they probably have a decent sized war chest, but it's crazy how they literally get any & every player they want. (Yes, I'm salty)

[Pobilly]

J Burks game would fit the Pope style. He is a mobile big. Has shot as high as 40% from 3 in a season and shot 37% from 3 last year. He is strong and can drive and post up. Not huge on rebounds but would still take him. If we got him and McBride at the 4 it would be very serviceable for that position. Would really be a compliment to Wilkens and Diallo.