Kentucky

Mark Pope has a backup plan for Kentucky if the Robert Wright III deal falls apart

Published

9 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Mark Pope has a backup plan for Kentucky if the Robert Wright III deal falls apart

After all signs earlier this week seemed to point at Robert Wright being Kentucky’s answer at point guard, the BBN went ahead acquainted themselves with the high-scoring floor general. Banners were hung on houses in Lexington and, in droves, fans followed Wright and posted about him online. It seemed surefire, in part because everyone outside of the bluegrass seemed to think so.

Until they didn’t and, suddenly, it wasn’t. BYU pages began to come out of the woodwork and claim a Wright return to Provo was imminent. The confidence dropped off completely on Kentucky’s front, and what at first seemed like a naer-certainty turned into a toss-up. Of course, Cats fans reacted in anarchy.

But beyond the panic and potential pain of losing arguably the best guard in the portal, Mark Pope may already have the perfect backup plan in place. If Wright ultimately decides elsewhere, previous visitor Zoom Diallo should slot right in as Kentucky’s obvious preference at point guard.

Pope’s Perfect Backup Plan

Diallo not only visited prior to Wright but, for a time, looked like Kentucky’s preferred option. Until Wright was brought on campus alongside No. 1 recruit Tyran Stokes, Diallo was hanging out with Coach Pope at Keeneland. What’s more, the only other major suitor for the guard, in Arizona, just added two players in their backcourt.

Effectively, it seems, the runway if clear for Kentucky to pay Diallo and bring him on board. Wright’s indecision can only hold Pope and his staff hostage for so long; pivoting to “Plan B” isn’t necessarily a bad thing and, in this case, could even be a better outcome for the Wildcats.

Mar 11, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Huskies guard Zoom Diallo (5) brings the ball up court against the Southern California Trojans during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Diallo is a textbook SEC guard who is likely to come at a lower financial rate than Wright, too. As far as I’m concerned, Kentucky may as well pull the trigger now.

Pivoting to Diallo to Prioritize the Roster

If Pope and Kentucky are in a bidding war for Wright, what does it look like if the staff waits a few more days to land him? Especially if the price is further raised, Kentucky could miss out on an array of solid complimentary pieces.

Wright played alongside AJ Dybantsa last season at BYU and, in spite of that ultra-exciting combo, the Cougars were a first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament. Not that Wright wouldn’t be a good addition but, if he puts off a decision much longer, Pope could be better off pursuing Diallo before it’s too late.

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Kentucky

Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman has arrived in Lexington for Kentucky visit

Published

21 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Press Room

Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman has arrived in Lexington for Kentucky visit

One of Kentucky’s top portal targets has arrived in the Bluegrass State.

According to The Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman, Syracuse transfer forward Donnie Freeman made it to Lexington on Tuesday night. Kentucky was quick to reach out to Freeman once he officially entered the portal last week. That led to a Zoom call between the two sides, and now a visit to UK’s campus.

A 6-foot-9 rising junior, Freeman averaged 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds in 31.3 minutes per outing last season for Syracuse while shooting 47.4 percent from the field. On3 ranks him 20th overall and the fifth-best power forward to enter the portal so far this offseason. Alabama and UConn are also after the talented forward prospect.

Syracuse transfer Donnie Freeman is currently in Lexington for a visit to Kentucky, source told @TheFieldOf68.
He just landed at the airport.
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— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 15, 2026

A former five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American, Freeman spent the last two seasons with the Orange under head coach Adrian Autry. Freeman averaged 13.4 points and 7.9 rebounds in 25.5 minutes per contest on 50.4 percent shooting as a true freshman, logging six double-doubles along the way. But both his college seasons have been marred by foot injuries. He’s played just 37 college games — 14 as a freshman, 23 more as a sophomore.

Kentucky has already hosted a couple of top portal guards since the weekend. Washington’s Zoom Diallo and BYU’s Rob Wright III have both been in Lexington over the last several days, as has five-star high school wing Tyran Stokes. Freeman is the fourth known visitor of the portal season so far. Kentucky is still searching for its first new commitment for the 2026-27 roster.

It’s Transfer Portal SZN on KSR+

If you’ve ever been curious about KSR+, our premium sister site, now is the time to try it out. We’re doubling down our efforts to bring you bonus coverage of the Cats and the intel and analysis you can’t get anywhere else. Subscribe now for an inside look at a pivotal offseason for Mark Pope and Kentucky Basketball and Will Stein’s first year at the helm of Kentucky Football, along with access to KSBoard and House of Blue, the most vibrant message board communities in BBN. Join the club right now for 50% off an annual subscription.

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Kentucky

New Roster Numbers to Monitor at the Kentucky Spring Game

Published

1 day ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

New Roster Numbers to Monitor at the Kentucky Spring Game

The Kentucky Blue-White Game is on the horizon. Saturday morning’s exhibition might be the only chance you get to see the new-look Wildcats in action before Will Stein‘s team takes the field this fall against Youngstown State. The SEC Network is not broadcasting the event, so be sure to secure your free tickets in advance.

Kentucky football fans will see plenty of new faces on the field. Stein added roughly 50 new players this offseason. Even folks like myself who cover the team regularly will struggle to figure out who is who. Before making your way to Kroger Field, do a little advanced scouting to spend less time looking at the roster during the Kentucky Spring Football Game.

New Kentucky Football Jersey Numbers

0 — LB Elijah “Bo” Barnes
The Texas transfer is a former Top-100 recruit who has high expectations as the Cats’ middle linebacker.

1 — RB CJ Baxter
2 — RB Javontae Barnes
Neither transfer running back is expected to participate in the contact portions of the Kentucky spring game.

3 — QB Kenny Minchey
That Boy’s Good. The Kentucky QB will not take any hits, but keep a keen eye on his elusiveness in the pocket and his accuracy when he’s off-platform.

3 — DB Aaron Gates
4 — WR Nic Anderson
It’s unlikely that the LSU transfer will participate in the contact portions of the spring game.

5 — DB Jordan Castell
5 — WR Ja’Kayden Ferguson
The one-time UK commit spent one season at Arkansas and has popped during the second half of spring practice.

6 — DL Ahmad Breaux
6 — WR Shane Carr
The twitchy pass-catcher from Southern Utah is due for an explosive play or two in the Kentucky spring game.

7 — DL Jamarrion “Chops” Harkless
This is an enormous human being in the middle of the Kentucky defensive line.

8 — OLB Lorenzo Cowan*
8 — TE Mikkel Skinner*
9 — OLB Antonio O’Berry
10 — WR Davis McCray
10 — DB Dyllon Williams*
11 — DB Braxton Urquhart
12 — WR Brock Coffman
The Lexington Sayre product has been a reliable target for Kenny Minchey.

12 — DB Hasaan Sykes
The cornerback transfer from Western Carolina has picked off a pass in each of Kentucky’s first two spring scrimmages.

13 — WR Denairius Gray
13 — DB Cyrus Reyes
15 — QB Carson Cruver
16 — DB Jesse Anderson
16 — QB JacQai Long
No. 16 could very well end up being QB2.

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18 — WR Xavier Daisy
18 — CB Mark Manfred III
19 — WR Kenny Darby
The Louisiana wide receiver became the highest-ranked player in Kentucky’s 2026 recruiting class after Joe Sloan pulled off the late flip.

22 — RB Delvecchio “Deuce” Alston
25 — LB Tavion Wallace
27 — DB Isaiah McMillian
48 — P Thomas O’Hara
50 — IOL Max Anderson
52 — OL Cameron Miller Jr.
53 — OT Lance Heard
The left tackle is out to prove that he’s a first round pick in next year’s NFL Draft. Marvel at the way the big fella moves in the trenches.

57 — IOL Jordan Knox
There are multiple players fighting for a starting offensive guard spot. Don’t sleep on the JUCO transfer who logged a few starts at Northwestern early in his career.

67 — OT Mark Robinson
72 — C Coleton Price
73 — OL Olaus Alinen
77 — IOL Tegra Tshabola
88 — K Adam Zouagui
92 — DE/EDGE Ben Duncum
96 — DT Dominic Wiseman
97 — LS Spencer Radnoti
97 — DE Tyler Thomas
* Indicates a number change.

[Take a closer look at the entire 2026 Kentucky football roster.]

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Kentucky

Kentucky adds three transfers to the growing visit list this week

Published

2 days ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Kentucky adds three transfers to the growing visit list this week

The visitor list is getting really long for Kentucky basketball this week and it’s getting clear who they are prioritizing on the roster. After getting visits from Zoom Diallo, Rob Wright, Jalen Cox, Donnie Freeman, and the #1 player in the 2026 class, a pair of guards and a big have been added. According to KSR, Furman guard Alex Wilkins, Utah’s Terrence Brown and SDSU’s Magoon Gwath are also set to visit later this week.

As for Wilkins, it seems like Kentucky is eying for him to be at the shooting guard spot, but it all depends on Diallo’s decision. The staff is open to the possibility of Diallo playing alongside Rob Wright if that does in fact end up working out, but is he? It’s clear that Kentucky is really starting to prioritize Wilkins, who is a very good scorer coming from Furman. Wilkins is also a very capable shooter. Averaging 17.8 points, 4.7 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game, shooting 46.0% overall and 32.8% from three this past season, fitting into a system like Pope’s would do wonders in boosting his three-point percentage. This is one to continue keeping an eye on as decisions start to shake out.

With Gwath, he just had a zoom meeting on Sunday with Mark Pope and now, it looks like the staff is getting him on campus for a visit. Gwath would be a massive (literally) depth piece for the Wildcats at the big man position. The 7-footer averaged 8.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game this season and was the best shot-blocker in the Mountain West. Kentucky is looking for depth at the five spot and Gwath would be an important get there.

Brown has received a lot of North Carolina buzz as of late since their leading point guard entered the transfer portal. But, he is set to visit Kentucky on Friday, as well as Kansas before that. Brown is seen as a combo guard as well, able to play either the one or the two spots. At 6-3, he played the point guard role for the Utes this past season, averaging 19.9 points, 3.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds, shooting 45.3% overall and 32.7% from three. It’s uclear as to how the staff would use him, but his ability to play either guard spot is intriguing. Like Wilkins, Brown is a great scorer. His best game this past season was 33-point game against Kansas State, where he added four rebounds, two assists and four steals.

Kentucky’s visitor list is growing, but the ones later this week could change depending on the clarity the staff gets from Wright and Stokes and what their plans are. Things are moving fast, but the Kentucky staff looks to have contingency plans for whatever happens with the two sought-after players, as well as Zoom Diallo, who Kentucky is continuing to trend for.

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