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Men's Basketball

Assistant Mo Williams Discusses Potential of a Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins Backcourt, “You can’t find a better fit.”

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2 months ago

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Photo via Imagn Images

The offseason has been fun so far, no? Kentucky’s team is several spots away from completion, we’ve been entertained with the NBA Draft drama and even Mark Pope has answered questions from the Big Blue Nation in a series of social media videos.

To add on to the fresh vibe of next year’s gameplan, UK Sports Network Host Michelle Knezovic spoke with assistant head coach Mo Williams, answering questions for the first time in sit-down fashion as a member of the Wildcats.

Williams discussed several topics during the interview, from his years in the NBA and how his experience translated to coaching, to his role and adjustment as a newly-hired staff member. However, one key talking point stuck out like a sore thumb: the new backcourt.

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Let’s face it, the Mark Pope era guards have been nothing short of fantastic, playmaking and hitting highlight shots when it mattered most. Nobody will forget the determination from Lamont Butler, or the pure clutchness from Collin Chandler, but that doesn’t mean it has always been sunshine and rainbows.

Jaxson Robinson and Jaland Lowe were sidelined for extensive time due to injury, with Butler and even Koby Brea missing games for Kentucky – a healthy duo of guards was a focal point for Pope and his staff this offseason.

Knock on wood, but you cannot help injuries on the court, it’s simply part of the game, so the goal was to find the best talent available. Luckily, the 2026-27 roster certainly features two of the most talented prospects in the country with Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins.

Williams had nothing but nice things to say about the transfer guards, opening up about Diallo first, ironically the first addition of the offseason.

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“Veteran kid, obviously been on this level, played on this level, ready for this moment,” said Williams. “I expect him to be really, really good for us. I expect him to be in a position where they’re talking about him at the end of the season on one of these three All-SEC teams.”

High praise for sure, but to his point, Diallo has proved himself already in his two years at Washington, averaging 15.7 points per game and 4.5 assists per game in his sophomore season.

Committing just three days after Diallo, Wilkins immediately sparked conversations as being one of those “hidden games” from low places, looking to show off a very different skill set at the two spot; one that can benefit the flow of Kentucky’s offense. He averaged 17.8 points per game for Furman in his freshman year, scoring quick and often.

“I think they mirror each other,” said Williams. “I mean, you can’t find a better fit. Two different guys. Zoom is more what we call bully ball…Alex is more shifty…more length.”

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To round off his compliments, Williams confirmed that the pressure will be on these two guards in the upcoming season.

“We’re going to ask those guys to do a lot for us this year, so we’re excited about our vision for how they can play together.”

Pope, Williams and eager fans are certainly hungry for a dynamic duo to shine at Rupp Arena and in the trenches of SEC play. All hope is now instilled in Diallo and Wilkins to thrive under the bright lights and prove that they are the new recipe for success.

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Men's Basketball

College Basketball Rankings: Where Kentucky Stands in Updated “way-too-early” Polls

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2 weeks ago

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July 3, 2026

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Where Kentucky basketball stands in ESPN and CBS Sports updated way-too-early rankings after more coaching changes, player additions, and injuries.
UK Athletics

Last offseason, Kentucky was considered a top-10 team and a true title contender, but ended the season as one of the most disappointing teams in the country, winning just one game in the NCAA Tournament.

This offseason, Kentucky is barely cracking the top 15 in most preseason rankings and will look to climb the rankings throughout the season rather than fall.

Still 120+ days out from the start of the regular season, ESPN and CBS Sports have updated their “way-too-early” rankings following Dusty May’s jump from Michigan to the NBA, more player additions for teams, and some early-season-ending injuries.

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The rankings remain fairly static, however, with the Wildcats holding steady in ESPN’s rankings while moving ahead of St. John’s in CBS Sports’ rankings following Donnie Freeman’s Achilles injury.

ESPN

17. Kentucky Wildcats

Previous ranking: 17 (no change)

Impact newcomer: Milan Momcilovic

Momcilovic was the best transfer in the portal, after a season in which he established himself as the best shooter in college basketball. The 6-8 forward withdrew from the NBA draft on the night of the deadline, committing to coach Mark Pope’s team a few days later after also being pursued by Louisville and Arizona. He’s immediately an All-America contender and the most dangerous player on the Wildcats’ roster, after averaging 16.9 points and shooting 48.7% from 3 last season.

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Projected starting lineup

Zoom Diallo (15.7 PPG at Washington)
Alex Wilkins (17.8 PPG at Furman)
Milan Momcilovic (16.9 PPG at Iowa State)
Ousmane N’Diaye (9.8 PPG for Cremona in Serie A)
Malachi Moreno (7.8 PPG)

CBS Sports

16. Kentucky Wildcats

Previous ranking: 17 (⬆️1)

This ranking is based on the Wildcats returning one of the top six scorers — specifically Malachi Moreno — from a team that finished 22-14 and advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. That core will be joined by a recruiting class highlighted by Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic, Washington transfers Zoom Diallo and Franck Kepnang, Washington State transfer Jerone Morton, James Madison transfer Justin McBride, Providence transfer Alex Wilkins, four-star prospect Mason Williams and international prospect Ousmane N’Diaye.

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Men's Basketball

Mark Pope Discusses Final Assistant Coach Position, “I’m not in desperate need of adding more pieces”

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2 weeks ago

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July 3, 2026

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Mark Pope isn't rushing to fill Kentucky's final assistant coach opening, saying pending NCAA rules on international players could shift his plans.
UK Athletics

Kentucky basketball has operated this offseason without a full staff. Assistant coaches Alvin Brooks III and Jason Hart left the program back in March, and Mark Pope has only filled one of the two spots since, hiring former NBA All-Star Mo Williams from Jackson State.

Despite that, Kentucky managed to bring in the 3rd ranked transfer class in the country, highlighted by Milan Momcilovic, and have secured a commitment from 2027 five-star Ryan Hampton.

“I like my organization a lot right now. I think this group is functioning at a high level,” Pope said about his staff in an interview with BBN Tonight. “I like the way our staff feels. I like the way we feel in the staff meeting every day. I like the way we’re executing on the road. I like the way we feel on the court right now.”

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With an assistant coach position sitting vacant, Pope is satisfied with how his staff is performing and says there is no urgency in filling the role. Instead, he’s waiting to see how NCAA guidelines and rules unfold in the coming weeks.

“I’m not in desperate need of adding more pieces, although I’m open to the idea,” he said.

“There are going to be a whole host of legal cases from our league testing the CSC and the NCAA on their current guidelines and rules on international players. And depending on what the outcome of those are, it could very much shift the direction we go with hiring.”

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Mark Pope Says Kentucky’s Final Roster Spot Is About Fit, “There’s got to be a very uniquely positioned piece”

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2 weeks ago

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July 3, 2026

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Mark Pope opens up on Kentucky Basketball's final roster spot, emphasizing fit over hype as the Nikola Kusturica recruitment nears a decision.
UK Athletics

Kentucky basketball is wrapping up its third week of practice in an eight-week summer training block. While the players are getting acclimated to Mark Pope’s system and to each other, there is still one roster spot to be filled.

“I am enjoying coaching these guys, but we’re also still really active in recruiting,” Pope said in an interview with BBN Tonight.

One name that Wildcat fans have been keeping a close eye on in recent weeks is Nikola Kusturica, a 17-year-old prospect from Serbia, who is currently playing for FC Barcelona and is a projected lottery pick in the 2028 NBA Draft. His recruitment is down to Kentucky and UCLA, with the latter having the momentum and a decision expected soon.

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Whoever the final roster piece will be, Pope emphasizes that they must fit with the other 14 players on the roster.

“Where we are with our roster, there’s got to be a very uniquely positioned piece that fits,” he said.

“There are several different archetypes of piece that would fit this roster really well, but there’s also a lot of guys who are popping up as available or have been available for a little while who don’t turn out to be the fit that’s going to work for this team.”

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