Mark Pope has added another major piece to what could be Kentucky’s most talented roster yet.
The Wildcats received huge news Saturday night when former Duke and Missouri forward Mark Mitchell committed to Kentucky, giving Pope another proven scorer and versatile frontcourt player heading into the 2026-27 season.
Kentucky has now landed two five-star transfers in Mitchell and Milan Momcilovic, with both players ranking among the top 10 transfers nationally according to 247Sports.
Mitchell’s eligibility had been a major storyline. As a fifth-year player, he initially faced questions about whether he would be allowed to compete. However, a Jefferson Circuit Court judge granted him a temporary restraining order Friday, clearing the way for Mitchell to play for Kentucky this season.
Kentucky’s Projected Starting Five
Point Guard: Zoom Diallo
Shooting Guard: Alex Wilkins
Wing: Milan Momcilovic
Forward: Mark Mitchell
Center: Malachi Moreno
Mitchell should immediately step into a prominent role at the four.
The 6-foot-9, 239-pound forward brings size, scoring ability and floor-spacing to a Kentucky roster that already features plenty of offensive weapons. After spending two seasons at Duke and another two at Missouri, Mitchell enters Lexington with 134 career games under his belt and has started 133 of them.
Last season at Missouri, Mitchell averaged 18.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 38.8% from three-point range.
His ability to stretch the floor could be particularly important for Kentucky. With Mitchell capable of playing away from the basket, Malachi Moreno should have more room to operate inside while Kentucky can maintain multiple scoring threats around him.
Zoom Diallo
Diallo is expected to take over as Kentucky’s primary ball handler after transferring from Washington.
He averaged nearly 16 points and five assists per game and should be responsible for setting the tempo and creating opportunities for Kentucky’s talented group of scorers.
Alex Wilkins
Wilkins gives Pope another dynamic playmaker on the perimeter.
The 6-foot-5 guard arrives from Furman after averaging nearly 18 points and five assists per game as a freshman. His ability to create offense and make plays could make him an important piece of Kentucky’s backcourt.
Milan Momcilovic
Momcilovic was one of the biggest additions to Kentucky’s transfer class.
The former Iowa State standout averaged 17 points per game while shooting nearly 49% from three. At 6-foot-8, he gives Kentucky tremendous size on the wing and could also slide into the power-forward position depending on the matchup.
His shooting should be especially valuable alongside Moreno and Mitchell.
Malachi Moreno
Moreno is the lone returning player projected to start.
The 7-foot center averaged 7.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game as a freshman and is expected to take a significant step forward in his second season.
With Mitchell now joining the frontcourt, Moreno could benefit from having another big capable of scoring and stretching the defense.
A New-Look Kentucky Lineup
The addition of Mitchell gives Pope an intriguing combination of size, shooting, playmaking and experience.
Four of the projected starters would be transfers, with Moreno representing the only returning starter. That lineup could also give Pope plenty of flexibility because Momcilovic and Mitchell can both play multiple frontcourt positions.
On paper, Kentucky now has a starting five capable of creating matchup problems all over the floor.
And with Mitchell officially joining the Wildcats, expectations surrounding Pope’s third season in Lexington just got even higher.
