Kentucky basketball may not have a clear-cut first-round NBA prospect heading into the 2026-27 season, but that did little to keep professional scouts away from Rupp Arena.
A strong group of NBA personnel was on hand Tuesday night for Kentucky’s annual Pro Day, giving scouts an early opportunity to evaluate Mark Pope’s revamped roster.
What they saw was a team with plenty of questions—but also a collection of intriguing talent that could become much more interesting as the season develops.
The biggest takeaway was Kentucky’s shooting.
Kentucky Has Serious Range
Pope has spent the past two seasons trying to build an offense that emphasizes 3-point volume. His previous Kentucky teams never reached his preferred target of 35 attempts per game.
That could change this season.
Pro Day showcased a roster filled with players who aren’t afraid to shoot.
Milan Momcilovic was among the most impressive. The Iowa State transfer, who led the nation in 3-point shooting last season, knocked down a quick-release corner three before hitting an extremely difficult deep fadeaway.
Alex Wilkins also continued his impressive preseason.
After winning the 3-point contest at Big Blue Madness, the Furman transfer once again displayed his shooting range, confidently pulling from several feet beyond the 3-point line.
Freshman Mason Williams showed similar confidence, while Ousmane N’Diaye and Justin McBride demonstrated that Kentucky’s frontcourt players can also stretch the floor.
That type of shooting depth could force opposing defenses into uncomfortable decisions.
Wilkins Could Be the Surprise
While Moreno and Momcilovic are currently viewed as Kentucky’s leading NBA prospects, Wilkins may be the player who generates more attention as the season progresses.
The 6-foot-6 guard offers more than a shooting stroke.
He can handle the ball, attack closeouts and create off the dribble. Pope has also indicated that Wilkins will play both point guard and combo guard as Kentucky experiments with a two-lead-guard approach.
That versatility could be extremely valuable.
The biggest challenge will be adjusting to the increased competition and defensive pressure that comes with playing in the SEC.
Wilkins also needs to improve his ball security after averaging 3.8 turnovers last season at Furman.
If he can clean that up, his combination of size, shooting and playmaking could make him one of Kentucky’s biggest breakout candidates.
NBA Scouts Also Saw Some Unfinished Business
Pro Day wasn’t entirely positive.
The power-forward position remains Kentucky’s biggest uncertainty.
Pope attempted to strengthen that spot during the offseason, but after Mark Mitchell returned to Missouri, the Wildcats were left without the proven addition they had hoped to make.
N’Diaye has intriguing potential but remains inconsistent as a shooter.
McBride brings size and physicality, but he hasn’t clearly separated himself as the obvious answer at the position.
That could become one of the most important battles of the preseason.
The Bigger Picture
Kentucky’s Pro Day wasn’t a draft workout featuring a guaranteed lottery pick.
Instead, it was something potentially more valuable for this particular team: an early look at several players whose stock could rise dramatically over the next few months.
Moreno has the size and skill to attract NBA attention. Momcilovic has elite shooting ability. Diallo provides playmaking.
And Wilkins may have the combination of shooting and versatility that allows him to emerge unexpectedly.
The Wildcats still have plenty to prove before the regular season begins.
But NBA scouts didn’t need to see a finished product Tuesday night.
They were looking for talent, potential and traits that translate to the next level.
Kentucky gave them plenty to watch.
Now, the Wildcats have to turn those flashes into consistent production once the games actually count.
