Portal

[Los Gatos]

Doubtful he'll enter the transfer portal, but if he does it may be even more doubtful that Pope would seriously consider him. He may view him as "backup plan material" like he did Rancik and miss out on him to a team that prioritizes him. The way Pope is being so picky about who he recruits seriously versus just who he mentions/contacts, it's hard to get a feel for who he might land.

Multiple sites reporting that he will return to Wisconsin.

[UKHoops01]

Los Gatos ...that sucks. He was sounding like one of our better potential options, considering what's left and how late in the game it is.

[Rondo#9]

Folgeuiras to Louisville

& Tonde Yessoufou is in the portal. Some sites have him listed as a PF but I think he's more of a 3.

Could him or Kam start at the 4 in the SEC?

[UKHoops01]

Folgeuiras to Louisville

& Tonde Yessoufou is in the portal. Some sites have him listed as a PF but I think he's more of a 3.

Could him or Kam start at the 4 in the SEC?

Sure......on a sub .500 team, which is what it's looking like UK is going to be in the SEC in 2026-2027.

Unless things change drastically, this year is going to be Pope's swan song at Kentucky.

[Pobilly]

Saw this at late portal entries. But I thought these entered back a week ago or so. Am I wrong?

• Tounde Yessoufou (Baylor, Wing): A major late entrant, the former five-star recruit averaged 17.8 points for Baylor last year.
• Juke Harris (Wake Forest, Wing): A strong shooter and playmaker who entered the portal late.
• Dwayne Aristode (Arizona, Wing): (Arizona, Wing): A high-upside forward (6'8" 215lb)

[Rondo#9]

Saw this at late portal entries. But I thought these entered back a week ago or so. Am I wrong?

• Tounde Yessoufou (Baylor, Wing): A major late entrant, the former five-star recruit averaged 17.8 points for Baylor last year.
• Juke Harris (Wake Forest, Wing): A strong shooter and playmaker who entered the portal late.
• Dwayne Aristode (Arizona, Wing): (Arizona, Wing): A high-upside forward (6'8" 215lb)

Aristode has been in there for awhile. Juke Harris has been in there since the beginning. Yessoufou is the only new entry of those you listed.

[Rondo#9]

Yessoufou has a do not contact tag. Joe Tipton says UCLA is his most likely destination.

[UKHoops01]

Saw this at late portal entries. But I thought these entered back a week ago or so. Am I wrong?

• Tounde Yessoufou (Baylor, Wing): A major late entrant, the former five-star recruit averaged 17.8 points for Baylor last year.
• Juke Harris (Wake Forest, Wing): A strong shooter and playmaker who entered the portal late.
• Dwayne Aristode (Arizona, Wing): (Arizona, Wing): A high-upside forward (6'8" 215lb)

Juke Harris was SUPPOSED to be a Michigan commitment....but then somehow, some way (agents?) Tennessee popped into the equation. As of now it looks like he went from an actual Michigan addition to now he's supposedly leaning towards the Vols. Maybe his agent thinks UK will get involved and drive the price up even more?

[WeWant9]

Were there any late, last second portal additions to keep an eye on? I know Yessoufou, but didn't seem like there were really any late surprises this portal cycle. Feels like the staff is going have to go hard after some of these guys testing the draft waters.

[Pobilly]

Were there any late, last second portal additions to keep an eye on? I know Yessoufou, but didn't seem like there were really any late surprises this portal cycle. Feels like the staff is going have to go hard after some of these guys testing the draft waters.

It can take up to 48 hours from the time a player puts his paperwork in for it to clear and then we would know. Unless the player would put something out on social media. So could be a surprise update today or tomorrow even but I doubt it.

[Pobilly]

Were there any late, last second portal additions to keep an eye on? I know Yessoufou, but didn't seem like there were really any late surprises this portal cycle. Feels like the staff is going have to go hard after some of these guys testing the draft waters.

Key Additions to the Transfer Portal (April 21-22, 2026):

• Tounde Yessoufou: The Baylor forward and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention entered the portal just before the deadline on Tuesday night, according to Pete Nakos of On3.
• Adam Miller: Gonzaga guard entered the transfer portal, becoming the seventh Bulldogs player to do so, as reported on April 21.
• Divine Ugochukwu: Michigan State guard entered the portal before the deadline with a "Do Not Contact" tag, per his representatives at WME.
• Christoph Tilly: The Ohio State 7-foot center entered the portal to keep his options open as he seeks a fifth year of eligibility, as reported on April 21.
  Instagram +5

The transfer portal window closed for new entrants at midnight on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, for men's basketball, though names may take until Wednesday to be fully processed

[Rondo#9]

Taylor Bol Bowen to Oregon. Another PF off the board.

McBride really might be a starter next season.

[UKHoops01]

Taylor Bol Bowen to Oregon. Another PF off the board.

McBride really might be a starter next season.

No big loss, Bol Bowen didn't do much for me. He wasn't a particularly good offensive OR defensive player. McBride is at least a decent offensive player.... I'd just like to see him as the backup rather than starter.

EDIT: Of course....the way this portal cycle is going and has gone for Kentucky and Mark Pope, Bol Bowen might actually wind up looking like a great option for the 4!

[bucsrule8872]

Taylor Bol Bowen to Oregon. Another PF off the board.

McBride really might be a starter next season.

I think we go small, if McBride is the only true PF on the roster.

I could see Kam and Hawthorne (don’t forget he was a 4-star out of HS and has a year of weight training/practice under his belt) being the 3 and 4 combo.

G Diallo/M. Williams
G Wilkins/Morton
F K. Williams/Noah
F Hawthorne/McBride
C Moreno/Dynes/Potter

Not great, unless Hawthorne is the real deal and K Will comes on strong. That’s a middle of the road SEC bubble team at best, IMHO.

Really need Stokes at this point to have any semblance of hope.

[Pobilly]

I think we go small, if McBride is the only true PF on the roster.

I could see Kam and Hawthorne (don’t forget he was a 4-star out of HS and has a year of weight training/practice under his belt) being the 3 and 4 combo.

G Diallo/M. Williams
G Wilkins/Morton
F K. Williams/Noah
F Hawthorne/McBride
C Moreno/Dynes/Potter

Not great, unless Hawthorne is the real deal and K Will comes on strong. That’s a middle of the road SEC bubble team at best, IMHO.

Really need Stokes at this point to have any semblance of hope.

If that is our roster without Stokes, he will not be coming here. His word to the media for the last 10 days is he is waiting to see roster make up before making a decision. If we do not have 2 bigs (PF and C) he is not coming here to battle down low. He wants to be in a situation where he has free range. Hawthrone (by all reports) has not gained weight. He is a 3 as a skinny guy. Williams has much more weight and would be the 4 in that situation. But McBride would beat both out as the 4 as he can battle a bit down low for rebounds. I hope and pray Pope has other options (either portal guys in the draft or Euro Big PF with some range).