Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball are starting to piece together their roster for the upcoming season, and a recent development has made one of their key decisions much clearer.
After securing point guard Zoom Diallo through the transfer portal, Kentucky has addressed its primary need at the position. With that settled, the coaching staff has turned its attention to building a strong supporting cast—particularly in the backcourt.
A Narrowed Choice at Shooting Guard
Kentucky had been evaluating two standout options for the shooting guard role: Alex Wilkins and Cruz Davis. Both were seen as strong fits, and the expectation was that the staff would choose between them after further evaluation.
But that decision has now been made externally.
Cruz Davis Commits Elsewhere
Cruz Davis opted to skip his planned visit to Kentucky and instead committed to the Texas Tech Red Raiders men’s basketball. His decision removes one of Kentucky’s top targets from consideration.
This leaves Alex Wilkins as the clear remaining option—and a very appealing one at that.
Why Wilkins Makes Sense
Wilkins, formerly of the Furman Paladins men’s basketball, had an impressive freshman season. He averaged 18 points per game while contributing nearly five assists and about a steal per contest.
He also proved himself on a bigger stage, scoring 21 points on efficient shooting in an NCAA Tournament game against the UConn Huskies men’s basketball.
With his combination of size, scoring ability, and playmaking, Wilkins appears well-suited for SEC competition and could pair effectively with Diallo.
A Simpler Path Forward
Although missing out on Davis limits Kentucky’s options, it may ultimately benefit the team. Rather than splitting focus, Pope and his staff can now fully commit to pursuing Wilkins.
If they succeed, a backcourt featuring Diallo and Wilkins could become one of the most exciting duos in college basketball next season.
