Mark Pope has been one of the most active figures in college basketball this offseason as he reshapes Kentucky’s roster for the 2025–26 season. The 52-year-old, a former Wildcat and member of UK’s last NCAA title team, has been working hard both in recruiting and the transfer portal.
Kentucky’s 2025 recruiting class is looking strong, headlined by top prospects Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno, along with international addition Andrija Jelavic from Croatia.
In the transfer portal, Pope secured six new players, complementing the incoming freshman class. One notable addition is 7-foot-1 center Reece Potter, a Lexington native and former Lexington Catholic standout, who transfers from Miami (Ohio). Pope praised Potter’s fit with the team, calling him “a lengthy big with mobility and skill” and someone who “truly understands what it means to wear the Kentucky jersey.”
Potter played 56 games across two seasons with Miami, averaging 6.5 points and 3.7 rebounds as a sophomore. His final game for the RedHawks was in the MAC championship loss to Akron, where he logged 2 points and 4 rebounds in 14 minutes.
The rest of Pope’s transfer class includes:
- Denzel Aberdeen (Florida), an NCAA champion,
- Mouhamed Dioubate (Alabama),
- Jayden Quaintance (Arizona State), a 6’9″ center,
- Jaland Lowe (Pittsburgh), and
- Kam Williams (Tulane).
Pope enters his second season at the helm after leading Kentucky to a 24-12 record and a Sweet 16 appearance in his debut year.
Leave a Reply