Mark Pope had a solid season in year one as the head coach at the University of Kentucky, taking the Wildcats to the Sweet 16 for the first time since the pandemic.

While year one was a great success, Coach Pope has put together a roster for year two that is going to be special and could lead to a national title.

Knowing how special this season could be, let’s take a look at some bold predictions about this 2025-26 season.

1) Kam Williams will average 15+ points a game
One player who could be an absolute star for the Kentucky Wildcats is Tulane transfer Kam Williams. As a true freshman, he shot 41.2% from three on 4.6 attempts per game. Williams is a lights out shooter and has a shot to be a star in Lexington. NBA Mock Drafts already have Williams going in the first round. There is a world where Williams could average double figures, and it would be huge for this team.

2) Andrija Jelavic’s upside is a top five PF in college hoops
The real wildcard on this Kentucky team is Andrija Jelavic, who is coming over from Europe. The 6’11 power forward’s upside is through the roof, but if it hits, he can be special. He will be starting the offseason fighting for a starting spot but he very well could win the job. If Jelavic finds this upside, Kentucky will be the best team in college basketball.

3) Mark Pope wins National Coach of the Year
Many believe Mark Pope’s name should have been in the running last season for National Coach of the Year, but it was not. His roster this season is good enough to win the SEC and the National Championship. If the Wildcats have the great season many experts predict them to have Pope should win this award.

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Lamont Butler spent the first four seasons of his college basketball career with San Diego State.

He finished his fifth year (last season) with the Kentucky Wildcats.

The 22-year-old averaged 11.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.6 steals per contest while shooting 49.8% from the field and 39.1% from the three-point range in 27 games.

Via B/R Hoops (on December 14, 2024): “Lamont Butler was PERFECT from the field against Louisville 33 PTS
10-10 FG
6-6 3PT
6 AST”

With the NBA Draft coming up next month, Alberto De Roa of HoopsHype reported that Butler has worked out for several teams (including the Los Angeles Lakers).

Via Bill O’Rear (on May 20): “Former Kentucky & San Diego State PG Lamont Butler is busy chasing his NBA dream. Lamont worked out Tuesday in the Pro Day session at the Lakers facility & did well. Overall, Lamont has 12 workouts with NBA teams with the NBA draft coming up on June 25-26. A busy time for Lamont.”

Over five college seasons, Butler had career averages of 8.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals per contest while shooting 42.8% from the field and 33.3% from the three-point range in 158 games.

O’Rear also wrote: “Currently, Lamont Butler isn’t projected to be chosen in the NBA Draft’s two rounds. However, he’s an NBA level defensive player & a strong athlete with a solid all-around skill set. If he impresses at least one NBA team enough during the workouts, that might change his status.”

The Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

They have the 55th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.