Mark Pope is on an international search to help fill Kentucky’s roster. Already singing Senegalese prospect Ousmane N’Diaye last week, a new target has emerged.

On Tuesday night, following a visit with the top ranked prospect prospect in the 2027 class, CJ Rosser, Pope caught a flight to JFK airport in New York City, and from there to Tel Aviv, Israel to visit 23-year-old Brazilian prospect Marcio Santos. Note, he would be 24 years old at the start of next season.

Santos currently plays for Maccabi Tel Aviv Basketball Club, a club that plays in the Israeli Premier League and internationally in the EuroLeague. Having won six EuroLeague titles, and sending a number of players to the NBA Draft, including Deni Avdija and Omri Casspi, the club is considered to be one of the best in all of Europe.

In his first season with the club, Santos is averaging 6.9 points, 1.6 boards and 0.6 steals on 40% shooting from deep.

Prior to playing with Maccabi, Santos spent a season with German club Ratiopharm Ulm, averaging 8.4 points, 3.7 boards and 0.8 steals in the German League, helping them reach to the playoff finals.

Santos started his career with Franca in his native Brazil, helping secure three straight Brazilian League crowns. In 2022-23 was part of the side that won the FIBA Intercontinental Cup and BCL Americas titles.

With a 6-8, 250-pound frame, Santos plays currently as a four or a five, being undersized for the latter with taller matchups, leading to rebounding and interior defense struggles. That said, his coach, Oded Katash, loves his versatility.

“He can finish plays near the rim and step outside to shoot,” Katash said. “He plays with passion and enthusiasm, and knows how to show toughness and defensive aggressiveness. He’s a smart physical player who helps the team in many areas of the game. He’s a solid playmaking big man with sharp passing instincts.”

Pope flying to visit Santos shows very real interest, and according to sources, Kentucky has made an offer and are in “advanced talks” with Santos. Signed to a three year deal with Maccabi, earning $600k annually, part of the NIL agreement would be a buyout of his current contract.

The wait is officially over, we have a commitment and the long-awaited mystery is over. 

Tyran Stokes, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2026 class, has officially committed to the University of Kansas. Stokes chose the Jayhawks over the Wildcats, who were in a bidding war for nearly a calendar year. Oregon and Washington were also top destinations, but fell out of contention as time slowly rolled by, with the Ducks remaining in Stokes’ top three before his decision.

He visited Kentucky last June, and revisited the university on Monday, April 13 amidst the new coaching changes. Hype began to build within the Big Blue Nation, as Stokes would go live on his Instagram and show off his moves on Rupp Arena’s court. From that point on, the Big Blue Nation was ready to see him play on that floor again.

Unfortunately for Mark Pope and the staff, that won’t be happening.

If you haven’t watched the now Jayhawk play, he’s one of those “unguardable” players that can beat you in any area. He has unmatched size and strength, can shoot the lights out and features one of the most athletic skill sets seen in past years. Stokes can score from anywhere on the court, but has shown jumps in his playmaking bag during his final year before college.

Stokes is just 18 years old and has built his reputation and aura from the ground up, drawing comparisons to some of the most dominant wings we’ve seen in college basketball in the last 10 years, such as Jayson Tatum and Scottie Barnes.

Stokes will suit up for Bill Self in the 2026-27 season and will meet the Wildcats in the Champions Classic in November.

How about a mid-week boom for you Big Blue Nation?

The Kentucky Wildcats have officially received a commitment from James Madison forward Justin McBride, the team’s first addition to the frontcourt this offseason! Sources told KY Insider that he verbally committed during his visit with Kentucky on Wednesday, April 22, but legalities had to be taken care of.

Standing at 6-foot-7, the Plano, Texas native averaged 15.3 points per game and 5.6 rebounds per game in his junior season with the Dukes, providing efficient shooting clips from the field (49.4%), from deep (40.0%) and from the line (78.2%).

Ranking as the No. 203 overall player in the portal, Mark Pope will have a very offensive-heavy four with McBride, who can score from anywhere on the court and has steadily improved athletically in his three stops throughout college.

McBride committed to Oklahoma State out of high school, where he played alongside former Wildcat Brandon Garrison and appeared in 24 games, averaging over five minutes per outing.

He would then enter the transfer portal and drop to the mid-major level, committing to Nevada. With the Wolfpack, he nearly tripled both his minutes and production, averaging 7.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

Now playing with his fourth team in four years, Pope and his staff will welcome McBride with open arms and do their best for him to enjoy his senior stop with the Wildcats.