Kentucky basketball under Mark Pope: Transfer portal news, 2024 roster, targets, recruits, and expert insight

The John Calipari era is officially over at the University of Kentucky, and the Mark Pope era will get underway when the 2024-25 college basketball season tips off this fall. After 15 seasons in Lexington, Calipari moved on to Arkansas following the 2024 NCAA Tournament, while Pope was hired away from BYU to be his replacement. Several players followed Calipari to Fayetteville, leaving Pope with a Kentucky basketball roster that returned zero scholarship players from last season.

Pope and his staff hit the ground running and have compiled the No. 27 overall and No. 5 transfer class in the country according to 247Sports. The Wildcats have landed 11 total players, and still have two scholarships available as they build their Kentucky basketball lineup for the upcoming season. 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 at CatsPause.com are 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

Pope and his staff got a massive boost when Jaxson Robinson withdrew from the 2024 NBA draft and committed to Kentucky. Robinson was BYU’s leading scorer in 2023-24, and his familiarity with the system Pope is implementing should allow him to make an immediate impact in the SEC. Robinson averaged 14.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game for the Cougars in 2023-24, and was rated as the No. 34 overall transfer prospect in the country by 247Sports.

On the high school side, Pope stayed local and signed two prospects. Lyon County (KY) point guard Travis Perry was the one Calipari recruit that stuck with Kentucky. 247Sports listed Perry as the No. 1 player in Kentucky and No. 79 overall player in the country. Pope also signed Harlan County (KY) small forward Trent Noah, who was ranked the No. 2 player in Kentucky and 110th overall player in the country. 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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