The Kentucky Wildcats lost to Iowa State in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, and they want to advance significantly further next season.
Wildcats head coach Mark Pope is looking to retool his roster with some new players, especially after losing several key pieces in the transfer portal.
Kentucky HC Mark Pope Rebuilds Its Roster Through Transfer Portal
Pope and the Wildcats got some good news when Zoom Diallo announced he is transferring to Kentucky.
Diallo transfers into the Kentucky program after averaging 15.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game across 33 games (29 starts) with the Washington Huskies this season.
He shot 48.9% from the field and 31.5% from outside the 3-point arc. In announcing his departure from Washington to Kentucky, Diallo shared some warm thoughts about those who supported him throughout his time with the team.
“To my teammates over the last two years, thank you for everything,” Diallo wrote. “The bond we built means a lot to me, and that’s something I’ll carry with me forever. And to the fans and the Seattle community, thank you for always showing love to a hometown kid and sticking with me through the ups and downs. I’m forever grateful, for real.”
While Diallo will wear a Kentucky jersey next season, a number of Wildcats players are leaving the program. They include:
- Jaland Lowe
- Denzel Aberdeen
- Jasper Johnson
- Brandon Garrison
- Mo Dioubate
- Andrija Jelavic
- Collin Chandler
Lowe, a 6-foot-1 junior, appeared in 9 games this season after suffering a shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery. Lowe averaged 8.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.
Garrison played in 36 games, including 5 starts, this season. He averaged 4.7 points per game. Garrison shot 55.6% from the field and 23.5% from just beyond the 3-point arc.
Aberdeen was part of the Florida Gators’ national championship team before joining Pope’s squad. He averaged 7.7 points and 1.7 rebounds over 39 games played, starting in 5 games.
Chandler averaged 9.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.0 3-pointers, and 1.2 steals. He shot 43.5% from the field, 41.0% from 3-point range, and 83.3% from the free-throw line.
After losing all of these players, Pope will have his work cut out for him in the portal and next season. It remains to be seen who else he will land from the portal and if Diallo will be the first of many to join the program. The Wildcats finished 22-14 overall in the 2025-26 season, including 10-8 in Southeastern Conference play.
Kentucky is recognized as one of the top blue-blood programs in the college basketball world, so expectations are always extremely high. Now, all eyes are on Pope to see if he can assemble a juggernaut that can contend for a national championship.
