Robert Wright III, who was the No. 6 total prospect and the top-ranked level guard out there within the switch portal, is returning to BYU, CBS Sports activities reported on Wednesday. Wright was seen as a prime goal for Kentucky after taking a go to to the varsity earlier this week, however immediately’s transfer takes the Wildcats out of competition and again to the drafting board.
Wright was coming off a breakout season at BYU after averaging 18.1 factors, 4.6 assists and three.5 rebounds. Wright was one among a handful of really game-changing gamers out there within the switch portal, making him a logical match with any program.
Whereas Kentucky waited on Wright to probably commit, Georgia guard and No. 31-ranked switch Jeremiah Wilkinson tried to decide to the Wildcats final weekend, sources advised CBS Sports activities. As an alternative, Wilkinson dedicated to play for Arkansas and coach John Calipari on Tuesday night time.
Kentucky is actually retooling its roster from the bottom up. A number of gamers from final yr’s staff, together with Collin Chandler, Andrija Jelavic, Denzel Aberdeen, Mouhamed Dioubate, Brandon Garrison, Jasper Johnson and Jaland Lowe, have already entered the switch portal.
School basketball switch portal motion tracker: Grades for each prime dedication from 2026 cycle
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Kentucky’s main scorer from final season, Otega Oweh, is out of eligibility. Jayden Quaintance, essentially the most high-profile participant from final season’s roster, is getting into the NBA Draft after showing in simply 4 video games whole for the Wildcats this season. For these counting at house, 9 of Kentucky’s 12 main scorers will not be on the roster subsequent season.
So, what’s subsequent for Kentucky after failing to land Wright? All eyes flip to (no shock) the switch portal as soon as once more.
Who’s returning and who’s Kentucky concentrating on subsequent?
Kentucky had one of many highest-priced rosters within the sport final season. It massively underachieved after shedding to Iowa State within the second spherical of the NCAA Event. A reset was essential to steadiness out the roster with gamers who match Pope’s system. Touchdown Wright would’ve been a game-changing addition, however Kentucky has no time to dwell on not touchdown him as a result of the switch portal strikes shortly.
On Wednesday night, Kentucky landed Washington switch Zoom Diallo. Diallo averaged 15.7 factors, 4.5 assists and three.9 rebounds final season for the Huskies. He’ll possible be Kentucky’s start line guard this season. Diallo was the primary participant to go to Kentucky final week, however he left with out committing to the varsity on the time. Diallo is the No. 26 total participant within the 247Sports switch rankings.
One other participant nonetheless within the combine for Kentucky is Syracuse ahead Donnie Freeman. The previous five-star recruit is the No. 15-ranked participant, based on 247Sports. He averaged 16.5 factors, 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 23 video games. Touchdown him would imply Kentucky would have its beginning energy ahead.
Proper now, Kentucky could have two gamers from final yr’s roster returning: Kam Williams and Trent Noah. Williams began seven video games final season after transferring in from Tulane, whereas Noah was a deep bench piece and averaged 10.6 minutes per sport.
Crucial retention piece Pope would have is heart Malachi Moreno. He began 30 video games final season and confirmed actual promise, averaging 7.8 factors, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per sport. Moreno introduced he can be getting into the 2026 NBA Draft, however left the door open to return to highschool.
Two necessary dates to know for Kentucky: the switch portal closes on April 21, and the deadline to withdraw from the NBA Draft is Might 28 to take care of school eligibility. Whereas the switch portal would be the main roster-building software Kentucky makes use of to construct out its 2026-27 roster, the Wildcats are nonetheless within the combine to make a significant splash from the highschool recruiting ranks.
Tyran Stokes might make or break Kentucky’s offseason
Expectations for the 2026 highschool recruiting class ought to be tempered after this previous season’s freshman class was among the finest in school basketball historical past. There is not the depth of blue-chip expertise on this yr’s highschool class like there was in final yr’s. Nonetheless, some gamers might swing the end result for his or her respective groups this season.
A type of gamers is Stokes, the top-ranked participant from the 2026 recruiting class by 247Sports. Stokes has but to pledge a dedication to a college, and a timeline for a choice is unclear.
Stokes visited Kentucky earlier this week. For all intents and functions, it has been a two-horse race between Kentucky and Kansas for weeks. Oregon can be within the combine, however all eyes are on the Jayhawks and the Wildcats to see who lands the top-ranked participant within the class.
Nonetheless, latest developments might tip the scales in favor of Kansas. Jason Hart, who left Pope’s employees to affix SMU, was the first recruiter for Stokes when he was an assistant coach at Kentucky. Additionally, after retirement rumors for Kansas coach Invoice Self circulated instantly after the season ended, he introduced his return for not less than yet another season.
After Calipari primarily constructed his roster yr over yr by touchdown blue-chip highschool expertise, an emphasis has shifted since Pope took over to construct the roster through the switch portal. Kentucky and Pope aren’t alone, however it’s nonetheless a large shift.
If Stokes lands at Kentucky, it will be a game-changing addition for Pope. It could even be one of the best NBA Draft prospect he is had since taking on his alma mater. Kentucky goes all-in on Stokes so far as highschool prospects go. The Wildcats have only one commit of their 2026 recruiting class. That will be four-star guard Mason Williams, the son of former NBA star Mo Williams, who joined Kentucky’s employees days after his son dedicated.
After lacking out on Wright, all eyes are on what Kentucky does subsequent. The Diallo dedication will ease the nervousness for a bit In Bluegrass nation, however Pope’s roster for subsequent season is way from the place it’s anticipated to be. The switch portal has been open for simply over one week, and there’s nonetheless loads of time for Kentucky to get this proper and construct a championship-level roster.
Contemplating that Kentucky’s in-state rival, Louisville, has had no hassle touchdown its prime switch portal targets this offseason, lacking out on Stokes and different prime switch portal prospects would ramp up the drama in Lexington forward of what ought to be a make-or-break season for Pope.