Returning just two players that played 5+ minutes per game last season, the biggest thing giving Kentucky fans any sense of optimism or hope is the incoming freshman class.

Featuring five players in the top 45, including three in the top 10, the 2023 class is Kentucky’s second No. 1 class since 2015. Even more interesting, the class features two of the three top five prospects the Wildcats have signed in that same span. In other words, there are high expectations.

Of course, five freshmen and two returnees can’t win a National Title, but while we await the staff to fill next season’s roster, the freshmen have started to move into campus at the Wildcat Coal Lodge.

On Wednesday, Reed Sheppard kicked things off as he backed out of the Kentucky-Indiana High School All-Star Classic to move in early. As the official Kentucky men’s basketball account put it, “the Sheppard Family legacy continues.”

On Friday, two more members of the freshman class moved into campus, Rob Dillingham and Aaron Bradshaw.

With Sheppard, Dillingham, and Bradshaw now moved in, that leaves just Justin Edwards and DJ Wagner to make their moves. That is expected to happen this week. With Kentucky representing the United States in Canada for GLBL Jam, starting July 7th, it will be important for this team to start building chemistry.

Kentucky’s off-season just got even more interesting. After Oscar Tshiebwe and Chris Livingston announced their intentions to stay in the NBA, it was announced that Kentucky has reached out to Creighton transfer forward Arthur Kaluma, one of the best front-court players available in the transfer portal, according to ESPN’s Jeff Borzello.

During his career at Creighton, Kaluma averaged 11.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, shooting 42.3% from the field. Kentucky is joined by Alabama, Texas Tech, and Texas who are pursuing the sought-after new transfer.

Kaluma will be a hot commodity in the transfer portal, one that will have plenty of suitors. As it stands, it is reported that Alabama and Texas Tech are recruiting Kaluma the hardest. However, Kentucky is very interested and could envision him on next season’s roster.

It will be interesting to see how Kaluma’s recruitment develops over the coming days and weeks. Check out some of his highlights below:

Outside of a TV interview for the Dan Patrick Show and a phone interview for a FOX Sports article, John Calipari talked to the media since the loss to Kansas State on March 19th. With the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline now passed and just seven scholarship players on the roster expected to contribute next season, there is reason for concern.

On Thursday morning, Calipari put out a statement on social media. Looking to ease those concerns, Calipari cited that while it has been quiet, Kentucky is “prepared for all scenarios” and “can move forward” to fill out the roster.

“We support all of our players as they weigh their options and pursue their dreams and it’s my job to make sure these kids are making informed decisions. It may not be what you think or I think, but it’s informed. But that also makes it hard to move until you really know what your roster is going to be. We’ve prepared for all scenarios and now we can move forward.

There’s so much misinformation out there and most of it we can’t address publicly. Numbers being thrown around just aren’t accurate, who we are in contact with or who we are not in contact with, we don’t make it public.

Advertisement

We want players who want this culture, who care about winning, understand what it means to play at Kentucky, both how hard and how rewarding it is, and have the ultimate drive to win and succeed on the biggest stage, which helps everyone,” Calipari said. “We have a talented group right now which isn’t finished yet, but when it’s done we will have a talented team who will chase the ultimate goal together and make #BBN proud.”

On average during the Calipari era, UK plays six players 20+ minutes per game, and eight players 10+ minutes per game. Looking at the roster, UK has four freshmen that are going to play significant minutes (20+ mpg): Wagner, Bradshaw, Edwards, and Dillingham. Two of the three players will play 10+ mpg: Onyenso, Thiero, and Sheppard.

With that said, Kentucky realistically has two significant roles and potentially a bench role to fill. The current top priority should now be re-recruiting Antonio Reeves, who announced he is returning to college but will weigh his options between returning to Kentucky and the transfer portal. Other names to watch are David Jones (St. John’s), Isaiah Miranda (NC State), and Arthur Kaluma (Creighton).

With Kentucky playing in the GLBL Jam in Canada starting on July 7th, they will have to quickly fill out the roster. Meaning an interesting few weeks are coming up, and Calipari says he is prepared.