The countdown is officially on. Kentucky basketball tips off the 2025-26 season on November 4 against Nicholls at Rupp Arena. But before the games start to count, the Wildcats will get two major tests in preseason exhibitions — hosting Purdue on October 24 and Georgetown on October 30.
After a year of rebuilding from scratch, Mark Pope finally has a foundation in place. Four familiar faces are back, but once again, there’s no shortage of new blood in Lexington. Here’s the complete scouting report on who’s returning, who’s new, and what to expect from this year’s Kentucky squad.
Who’s Back for Kentucky Basketball
For the first time under Mark Pope, Kentucky actually brings back a core group. Four players return: guards Otega Oweh and Collin Chandler, and forwards Brandon Garrison and Trent Noah.
Oweh — last season’s leading scorer and the SEC Preseason Player of the Year — headlines the returnees after averaging 16.2 points per game. He’s expected to once again be the team’s go-to option on offense. Garrison returns as the likely starting center, while Chandler and Noah should provide veteran spark off the bench.
It’s not a huge returning class, but it’s a meaningful one for a program that had zero scholarship holdovers a year ago.
Who’s New to the Wildcats
Kentucky’s offseason was busy again, filling the eight-player void left by graduating transfers and portal departures.
Gone: Six seniors — Ansley Almonor, Koby Brea, Lamont Butler, Andrew Carr, Jaxson Robinson, and Amari Williams — all exhausted their eligibility. Guards Kerr Kriisa and Travis Perry also transferred, landing at Cincinnati and Ole Miss, respectively.
Incoming: Pope signed a mix of high school standouts, proven transfers, and international talent to reload the roster.
High school signees: Braydon Hawthorne, Jasper Johnson, and Malachi Moreno.
Transfers: Denzel Aberdeen, Mouhamed Dioubate, Jaland Lowe, Reece Potter, Jayden Quaintance, and Kam Williams.
International addition: Croatian forward Andrija Jelavić.
With 10 newcomers, chemistry and role definition will again be crucial in the early months of the season.
Player to Watch: Otega Oweh
No mystery here — Oweh is the engine of this Kentucky team. The physical guard returns as the SEC’s Preseason Player of the Year after a breakout sophomore season. His two-way energy, athleticism, and leadership make him Pope’s most reliable weapon on both ends. Expect Oweh to be the focal point of the offense once again.
Most to Prove: Brandon Garrison
With Amari Williams gone, Brandon Garrison steps into a bigger spotlight. The junior big man showed flashes of brilliance last year but was also prone to mistakes and foul trouble. This time, there’s no safety net. Garrison must anchor the frontcourt and fend off challenges from freshman Malachi Moreno and the injured-but-promising Jayden Quaintance. His consistency could determine how far Kentucky goes in March.
Newcomer to Watch: Jasper Johnson
Lexington native Jasper Johnson might be Kentucky’s next one-and-done story. The highly touted freshman guard has the size, shot-making, and confidence to make an immediate impact — and NBA scouts are already watching. With his blend of scoring and flair, Johnson could quickly rise into a featured role in Pope’s offense.
The Key Piece: Jaland Lowe
No player is more vital than Jaland Lowe. The sophomore transfer and projected starting point guard is the Wildcats’ lone true floor general. His ability to orchestrate the offense and stay healthy will make or break Kentucky’s season.
Lowe injured his shoulder during the Oct. 17 Blue-White game, putting his availability for the preseason exhibitions and early games — including the Louisville showdown on Nov. 11 — in question. If Kentucky wants to reach its first Final Four since 2015, Lowe must stay on the court.
By the Numbers
341: Three-pointers made last season — a program record.
910: Three-point attempts — another record.
Mark Pope wants both numbers higher this season. Expect Kentucky to keep firing from deep, spacing the floor, and leaning into Pope’s modern offensive philosophy.
