Mark Pope still has plenty of work ahead as he continues building Kentucky’s roster for the 2026–27 season—and this weekend could be a big turning point.
Right now, the Wildcats have just seven players expected to be on next year’s team. Only one of those additions has come from the transfer portal so far: former Washington guard Zoom Diallo, who committed earlier this week and is widely expected to step in as Kentucky’s starting point guard.
But even with Diallo in the fold, Kentucky is far from done.
Commitment Watch: Freeman and Wilkins
Two major names are at the center of attention heading into the weekend—Donnie Freeman and Alex Wilkins.
Freeman, a 6-foot-9 forward from Syracuse, is one of the top players in the portal after averaging 16.5 points and 7.2 rebounds last season. Kentucky has been heavily involved in his recruitment, and while programs like Alabama and UConn were once threats, both have shifted their focus elsewhere. Still, St. John’s is making a late push.
One factor working in Kentucky’s favor? Freeman’s prior connection with assistant coach Mikhail McLean, who coached him on the Bahamas national team during Olympic qualifying.
Wilkins, a 6-foot-5 guard from Furman, is another key target. After averaging nearly 18 points per game, he’s emerged as a strong backcourt option who could pair nicely with Diallo. Kentucky has prioritized him throughout the process, even making an early visit to see him before hosting him on campus. Alabama is also in the mix here, making this one to watch closely.
Another Frontcourt Option Visits
Kentucky also recently hosted Colorado forward Sebastian Rancik. The 6-foot-11 sophomore averaged 12.3 points and 5.6 rebounds last season and brings size and versatility to the table. While not as highly ranked as Freeman, Rancik remains a solid option as Pope looks to strengthen the frontcourt.
Some Targets Moving Elsewhere
Not every portal target is trending toward Lexington.
Utah guard Terrence Brown, who averaged nearly 20 points per game, had a visit to Kentucky scheduled but postponed it due to a family matter. North Carolina is currently seen as the favorite in his recruitment.
Meanwhile, VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr.—one of the top guards in the portal—has already taken visits to Kansas and Tennessee and is not expected to consider additional schools. Forward DeSean Goode has also been making the rounds, visiting several programs without Kentucky firmly in the picture.
Jasper Johnson Nearing a Decision
Former Wildcat Jasper Johnson also appears close to finding a new home.
After a tough freshman season at Kentucky, the former five-star recruit entered the portal and has drawn interest from several SEC programs. However, recent projections now point toward Oregon as the likely destination.
SEC Competition Isn’t Waiting
While Kentucky continues to build, other programs—especially Texas—are wasting no time reloading.
The Longhorns have already secured multiple high-impact transfers, including TCU forward David Punch and Colorado guard Isaiah Johnson. Just as importantly, they’ve retained key pieces from last season, putting them in a strong position heading into next year.
Kentucky still has major gaps to fill, but the pieces are starting to move. With multiple key decisions looming, this weekend could play a huge role in shaping what Mark Pope’s roster ultimately looks like.
