Mark Pope and Kentucky Basketball’s Key Targets in the NCAA Transfer Portal
Following Kentucky basketball’s 78-65 defeat to Tennessee in the 2025 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16, coach Mark Pope is preparing to reshape the Wildcats’ roster for next season. Although he is not expected to overhaul the entire team as he did last offseason, significant changes are expected. The NCAA transfer portal will once again play a crucial role in building the Wildcats’ lineup.
With several players exiting due to eligibility or transfer, including Ansley Almonor, Koby Brea, Lamont Butler, Andrew Carr, Jaxson Robinson, and Amari Williams, as well as Kerr Kriisa entering the portal, there are several vacancies on the team. Freshmen Collin Chandler, Travis Perry, Trent, sophomore Brandon Garrison, and junior Otega Oweh are expected to return. Additionally, Kentucky is set to welcome incoming freshmen such as Malachi Moreno, Jasper Johnson, and Acaden Lewis, all of whom have committed to the program.
Kentucky is also in pursuit of five-star recruit Nate Ament, the top uncommitted player in the 2025 high school class. This leaves significant room for Kentucky to further strengthen its roster through the transfer portal, with the Wildcats already securing the commitment of Kam Williams, a former freshman wing at Tulane.
Here are the prominent players that Kentucky is currently eyeing in the portal:
- Reed Bailey (Davidson): A 6-foot-10 forward who led Davidson in scoring, rebounding, and assists, Bailey averaged 18.8 points per game, with a 41.5% success rate on 3-pointers. He is considered one of the top 60 players in the portal.
- Abdi Bashir Jr. (Monmouth): Bashir, a 6-foot-7 guard, had an explosive season at Monmouth, leading the team in scoring with 20.1 points per game. His high shooting volume—especially from 3-point range—has drawn attention. His twin brother, Abdul Bashir, is committed to Auburn, making this a notable family connection.
- Silas Demary Jr. (Georgia): A versatile 6-foot-5 guard who started 69 games for Georgia, Demary saw significant improvement in his shooting from his freshman to sophomore year, particularly from beyond the arc. As a former four-star recruit, he ranks as the 17th-best player in the portal.
- Josh Dix (Iowa): A 6-foot-6 guard from Iowa, Dix had a breakout season, posting career-highs in points, rebounds, and assists. His 3-point shooting was the best on the team, and he delivered several standout performances, including a buzzer-beater against Northwestern. Dix is ranked as the 15th-best player in the portal.
- Magoon Gwath (San Diego State): Standing at 7 feet, Gwath was a defensive powerhouse for the Aztecs, leading the team in rebounds and blocks, averaging over 2.6 blocks per game. He is regarded as one of the top defensive players available in the transfer portal, ranked fourth nationally in that category.
With these players in mind, Pope is set to continue shaping Kentucky’s roster through the portal as he looks to build a competitive team for the upcoming season.
