Mark Pope’s 2025–26 Kentucky Wildcats are already being hyped as one of the deepest and most talented rosters in college basketball. That reputation was reinforced this week when Bleacher Report released its 2026 NBA Mock Draft, and several Wildcats earned recognition.
Three Wildcats Landed in the Draft
According to the projection, three Kentucky players were selected:
Jayden Quaintance — No. 4 overall to the Charlotte Hornets
Kam Williams — No. 38 overall to the Portland Trail Blazers
Otega Oweh — No. 57 overall to the Houston Rockets
Quaintance’s ceiling is sky-high, with his elite athleticism and defensive instincts making him a projected future NBA Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Williams fits the mold of a modern 3-and-D wing at 6’8, while Oweh’s slashing ability and defensive toughness give him the tools to carve out a role at the next level—especially if his jump shot continues to improve.
Notable Omissions: Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno
Two of Kentucky’s prized freshmen, Jasper Johnson and Malachi Moreno, didn’t appear in this mock draft. Both are local Kentucky products and are expected to have major roles in Lexington. If they stay beyond their freshman season, they could be breakout stars in 2026–27 and push themselves into future draft conversations.
Jaland Lowe’s Future in Question
Another surprise omission was Jaland Lowe, the Pitt transfer point guard who lit up the ACC last year with 16.8 points per game. Now set to run the Wildcats’ backcourt, Lowe has two years of eligibility left. If he delivers in the SEC, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him rise into the first-round conversation next year. Should he return for a second season in Lexington, he’d give Kentucky one of the strongest backcourts in the nation.
Big Picture
While only three Wildcats cracked the mock draft, the outlook is overwhelmingly positive. Pope’s roster is loaded with NBA potential—some ready now, some just a year away. Kentucky’s balance of proven veterans and high-upside freshmen makes them one of the most dangerous teams in college basketball heading into the 2025–26 season.
