Kentucky basketball’s Pro Day gave NBA scouts their first extended look at Mark Pope’s latest Wildcats, and one thing became increasingly difficult to ignore: this team has serious shooting ability.
For Kentucky fans who have been hearing about the roster’s offensive potential all offseason, Tuesday night at Rupp Arena felt like confirmation.
The Wildcats may not have an obvious lottery pick heading into the 2026-27 season, but that did not stop NBA personnel from showing up in strong numbers. Scouts watched Kentucky work through drills and short scrimmages, looking for players who could eventually translate to the professional level.
What they saw was a Kentucky team with plenty of questions still to answer — but also a collection of intriguing weapons.
Kentucky is finally letting it fly
One of the biggest takeaways from Pro Day was Kentucky’s willingness to shoot from deep.
Pope has wanted his teams to reach roughly 35 three-point attempts per game since taking over in Lexington. Kentucky has yet to reach that number, averaging 25.3 attempts during his first season and 23.9 last year.
This roster appears capable of changing that.
Milan Momcilovic once again demonstrated why his shooting is such a major part of Kentucky’s hopes. The Iowa State transfer showed an incredibly quick release from the corner and knocked down difficult shots from behind the arc.
Alex Wilkins was equally aggressive.
The Furman transfer confidently launched a transition three from several feet behind the line and connected, reinforcing the belief that Kentucky has players willing to stretch defenses well beyond the traditional 3-point range.
Freshman Mason Williams also showed confidence from deep, while Ousmane N’Diaye and Justin McBride demonstrated that Kentucky can potentially get shooting from multiple positions.
That versatility could make Pope’s offense much harder to defend.
Alex Wilkins continues to turn heads
If one player has consistently stood out during Kentucky’s preseason events, it has been Wilkins.
He dominated the 3-point competition at Big Blue Madness and followed that performance with another impressive shooting display at Pro Day.
The real intrigue, however, goes beyond his jumper.
Wilkins has the ability to change speeds, attack defenders and create shots for himself. Pope has also indicated that he expects Wilkins to spend significant time handling the ball in a two-lead-guard system.
There will inevitably be an adjustment period as Wilkins moves from Furman to the SEC, particularly after averaging 3.8 turnovers per game last season.
But the upside is obvious.
If Wilkins can improve his ball security while maintaining his shooting efficiency, he could become one of the most important pieces of Kentucky’s offense.
One position is still waiting for an answer
While Kentucky appears well-stocked with guards, wings and shooting, the power-forward position remains less certain.
N’Diaye showed flashes of exactly why Pope believes in him. His ability to shoot from deep at his size creates an intriguing matchup problem, but his shot selection and consistency will need to improve.
McBride brings something different.
The 6-foot-8 transfer offers the physicality Kentucky needs inside and has already shown his athleticism by winning the dunk contest at Big Blue Madness.
Still, neither player completely separated himself at Pro Day.
That competition could continue throughout the preseason.
The bigger message from Pro Day
Kentucky’s Pro Day was never going to settle every question surrounding this team.
The Wildcats still have exhibitions ahead before opening the regular season against Manhattan on Nov. 3.
But the early signs are encouraging.
NBA scouts saw a roster with legitimate shooting, multiple ball-handlers and several players with professional potential. Kentucky fans have been talking about those strengths for months, and Pro Day provided some of the first tangible evidence that the hype may have substance.
Pope still has work to do, particularly in figuring out the power-forward rotation and turning Kentucky’s shooting talent into consistent production.
But if the Wildcats can stay healthy, protect the basketball and maintain their confidence from deep, this could look like a very different Kentucky offense.
And after what NBA scouts witnessed at Rupp Arena, the excitement surrounding this team may be justified after all.
