The Kentucky basketball team is the bluest of Blue Bloods. No school has made more NCAA Tournaments (62), won more conference tournament titles (33) or been ranked in the final AP Poll more times (55) than UK basketball. New head coach Mark Pope will hope to add to those totals when he takes over for John Calipari, starting with the 2024-25 Kentucky basketball season. There's a reason why Calipari left the school since his teams' recent performances didn't meet the expectations of Big Blue Nation.
Calipari leaned heavily on his Kentucky basketball recruiting chops for roster construction, but Pope is utilizing more of the college basketball transfer portal to construct the 2024-25 Kentucky basketball roster. Will this different approach yield different results than the single NCAA Tournament victory Calipari gathered over the last five seasons? If you love the Wildcats, or just want the latest roster updates and college basketball transfer portal news, be sure to see what the proven team of insiders are saying at CatsPause, the 247Sports affiliate that covers Kentucky.
The team of insiders atCatsPause.comare providing up-to-the-minute scoop on the latest intel surrounding the Kentucky basketball coaching transition and roster changes. CatsPause has built a solid reputation over its 20+ years covering the Wildcats, and has deep-rooted sources inside and around the Kentucky athletic department. And right now, CatsPause is offering 50% off the first year of an annual subscriptions*, so now is the time to sign up.
The team at CatsPause has full coverage of who is coming and who is going on the Kentucky basketball roster. Head to CatsPause now to see all the insider info.
Kentucky basketball roster departures
Pope had to hit the ground running when he was named Kentucky's new head coach since several members of last year's Kentucky basketball roster have departed Lexington. Forward Zvonimir Ivisic is the first player to follow Calipari to Arkansas, and guard/small forward Adou Thiero followed after playing his past two seasons with Coach Cal. Aaron Bradshaw joined Ohio State, and guard Joey Hart will be on the Ball State roster next season. Point guard D.J. Wagner will follow Calipari to Arkansas.
Justin Edwards, Rob Dillingham and Ugonna Onyenso have all made the final decision to declare for the Draft. Kentucky will also be without top scorers Tre Mitchell and Antonio Reeves next season since both players graduated.Join CatsPause to see the latest on all of Kentucky's roster changes.
Kentucky basketball news, roster
The 2024-25 Kentucky basketball roster is nearly complete with 14 players having signed their letters of intent. That includes nine incoming transfers, three incoming freshmen and a pair of holdovers from the Calipari era in Grant Darbyshire and Walker Horn. The freshmen class includes a couple of in-state products in point guard Travis Perry and small forward Trent Noah. They are the top-two ranked prospects in the state of Kentucky, per 247Sports, with Perry No. 1 and Noah No. 2.
The latest frosh to join the 2024-25 Kentucky Wildcats was also the top-ranked player from his state in Collin Chandler of Utah. He originally committed to BYU when Pope was at the helm but is opting to follow the coach to Lexington, Ky. Chandler hails from the Class of 2022 but spent the last two years on his mission trip, making him an incoming freshman. He was the No. 6-ranked combo guard in the nation for the Class of 2022 and averaged 21.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists as a senior.Join CatsPause to get the latest on all of Kentucky's roster additions.
How to get insider Kentucky basketball roster updates
Pope could also be bringing at least one big-time BYU player with him, so be sure to join CatsPause to see who that is and get the rest of the insider roster news.
Who are the top names Kentucky basketball is pursuing under coach Mark Pope, and what former BYU player could land in Lexington? Go to CatsPause to see their insider information, all from a team of reporters with years of experience covering the Wildcats, and find out. And reminder, CatsPause is offering 50% off the first year of an annual VIP membership*, so subscribe now before it's too late.
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