Nobody in the “Bluegrass State” is saying no to a Kentucky kid… especially not if he’s seven-foot-two. Big Blue Nation, meet Reece Potter.

The latest to join Mark Pope’s ever-growing repertoire for the 2025-26 season, Potter is a junior center who spent his first two seasons of collegiate basketball with the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks.

In his sophomore season, the big averaged six points, four boards and one block per game in 17 minutes, shooting a 47/37/60 split. Potter’s sheer size and athletic potential on either end make him an intriguing prospect, especially as he enters a system built for offensively-inclined centers such as himself.

“They didn’t really have to sell me on anything,” Potter said of Kentucky, to KY Insider, “I have always known what the blue and white means being a Kentucky kid, so it’s kind of hard to say no.”

Although he’s set to join what will potentially be one of the deepest, most varied front court arsenals in the nation, Potter still brings a unique skillset to the team that could emerge to no surprise as the season develops over time. To boot, he takes the title of the tallest player on the roster. You can’t teach 7’2″.

Not including the potential return of Otega Oweh, Potter slots in as the 12th of 15 potential scholarship players on Kentucky’s incoming roster. His being a native to the Commonwealth in tandem with the especial ability he brings to the table is likely to make him a fan-favorite from day one.

You’re a Wildcat, Mr. Potter. Welcome (back) to Lexington.

Travis Perry, a “hometown hero” for Kentucky fans, as well as the only player who remained on the roster during the transition between the John Calipari and Mark Pope tenures, has officially committed to Ole Miss.

Perry’s surprising entry into the transfer portal came just before the final hour of eligibility, throwing his name in the hat right before the door closed. Despite his fairly active role in the Wildcats’ rotation last season, with the influx of guards incoming on next year’s roster, his departure is sensible from a playing time perspective. Though the loss is still an unfortunate one, as the Big Blue Nation loves their Kentucky kids.

Ole Miss was involved in Perry’s recruitment before his initial commitment to Kentucky prior to last season, gracing his “final five” list as a team with a real chance to land the Lyon County guard. It’s apparent that, the second time around, Rebels’ coach Chris Beard wasn’t ready to lose out on him again.

“Addicted to Basketball”

Just over one month ago, during March Madness, Beard reflected on his first chase for Travis Perry, saying, “I love Travis. He’s one of those guys that’s addicted to basketball.”

“I enjoyed recruiting him, getting a relationship with his family,” Beard continued. “In recruiting, you don’t get so many more guys than you do get… But I was really happy for him that he found a great fit and played a great role as a freshman for Coach Pope’s team.”

Not even one month later, Perry would enter the transfer portal, and now the rest is history. Now, ‘Cats fans can look forward to a rendezvous with their former point guard in Rupp Arena this season, as Perry and the Rebels are set to make the trip to Lexington during conference play.

When it comes to the portal, you win some, you lose some, and you make sacrifices along the way. Perry’s loss is a harrowing reminder of what college basketball has become, as well as the shifting importance of what it means to a player to “stay home.”

Kentucky’s non-conference schedule just keeps getting stronger, with the latest addition coming in the form of an exhibition game at Rupp Arena.

It has been officially announced that, on Friday, October 24, Matt Painter and the Purdue Boilermakers will travel to Lexington to take on Mark Pope and the ‘Cats in a preseason bout unlike any other.

Kentucky has spent the majority of recent memory spinning wheels in exhibition games against unranked, mid-major programs. Rupp Arena fills up either way, sure, but the prospect of a potential top 10 team taking one of those spots brings a whole different kind of excitement to the scene.

High Class Competition

The Boilermakers have cemented themselves as one of the greatest, most consistent powers in college basketball, making the national title game as recently as two years ago against the UConn Huskies. Despite their shortcomings in that battle, the program that Matt Painter has built in the B10 is nothing short of a powerhouse. They won their conference tournament as recently as 2023.

In addition, Purdue’s incoming class is as strong as any, coming in at #1 nationally on FOX Sports’ early top 25 rankings list. Their retaining star guard Braden Smith has much to do with that placement, no doubt. For comparison, Kentucky slots in at #8 on the list; one place below Louisville, and one above Duke.

Regardless of the exhibition, “it don’t count” nature of the game, amping up the competition before the season officially begins will benefit both squads in the long run, giving them a chance to hone their skills against another ranked, highly-touted team.

First it was the St. Johns game, and now Purdue, who join one of the most difficult growing non-conference schedules in the nation. Mark Pope and the Wildcats will have their work cut out for them, though it’s clear he wouldn’t have it any other way.