Kentucky’s search for backcourt help is far from over — and a new name has officially entered the mix. After missing out on a recent Syracuse transfer target, Mark Pope and his staff have turned their attention to St. John’s guard Joson Sanon, a former four-star recruit now generating serious interest across the country.
Sanon, ranked No. 58 in the transfer portal, has quickly become one of the more sought-after guards available. According to League Ready’s Sam Kayser, Kentucky is among a long list of major programs to reach out, including Alabama, Auburn, North Carolina, Kansas, Oregon, Texas A&M, UCLA, Texas Tech, and Texas, among others.
The 6-foot-5 guard from Fall River, Massachusetts is coming off a 2025–26 season at St. John’s where he averaged 7.9 points and 2.4 rebounds per game, shooting 34% from the field, 34% from three, and 77% from the free-throw line.
Before that, he spent his freshman season at Arizona State — alongside current Kentucky big man Jayden Quaintance — where he showed more offensive production, averaging 11.9 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 42% overall and 37% from deep.
In total, Sanon has appeared in 64 career games with 23 starts, offering a mix of experience and upside that clearly appeals to high-major programs.
Kentucky has already seen flashes of what he can do. In a matchup earlier this season, Sanon scored 12 points — going a perfect 12-for-12 from the free-throw line — while adding two rebounds and two steals in 19 minutes. Other standout performances include 16 points against Auburn, 15 against Seton Hall, and 13 at Georgetown, highlighting his ability to contribute offensively in key moments.
Coming out of high school, Sanon was highly regarded — ranked No. 25 overall and the No. 6 shooting guard in the 2024 Rivals Industry Rankings. He originally chose Arizona State over several major programs and even made an unofficial visit to Kentucky in March 2024, just before the program transitioned from John Calipari to Mark Pope.
Now, there’s a chance that early connection could come full circle.
With roster spots still to fill and a clear need for perimeter shooting, Kentucky’s interest in Sanon signals that the staff is continuing to prioritize scoring guards who can stretch the floor. The question now is whether that interest turns into something more — or if the competition from other powerhouse programs proves too much to overcome.
