Kentucky is actively seeking a point guard as they work on building their roster for next season. After their Sweet 16 loss to Tennessee last week, the Wildcats are looking to see how head coach Mark Pope can shape the team for the upcoming year. Pope’s first Kentucky squad was largely made up of transfer players, a necessity after John Calipari’s departure. With young talents like Jasper Johnson set to join, the Cats will need to replace key players like Lamont Butler, who played a pivotal role in their NCAA Tournament run.
One player that could fit into their plans is Ja’Kobi Gillespie, a guard from Maryland who recently entered the transfer portal. Kentucky has reportedly reached out to Gillespie’s father about the potential of joining the Wildcats. Gillespie, a standout during his time at Belmont, was named to the MVC All-Defense team and also earned All-Big Ten honors last season with Maryland. He averaged 14.7 points and 4.8 assists per game, shooting 45.3% from the field and 40.7% from beyond the arc. Although Gillespie would be a valuable addition to the team, Tennessee is considered the favorite to land him, as he hails from Tennessee and previously played at Belmont. A prediction from a source suggests he is likely to choose the Volunteers.
In other transfer news, Dedan Thomas, a point guard from UNLV, has committed to LSU, eliminating another potential option for Kentucky. The Wildcats had expressed interest in Thomas early on, but it appears their focus has shifted, with other potential targets like Silas Demary Jr. from Georgia now being considered.
On a positive note, Kentucky recently secured Tulane forward Kam Williams, keeping their recruitment efforts alive and interesting. With more moves likely on the horizon, fans are hopeful Pope can finalize a competitive roster for the next season.
