Connect with us

Men's Basketball

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

Published

4 weeks ago

on

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

“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.”

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

Related Topics:
Advertisement

Men's Basketball

Jersey Numbers Revealed for 2026-27 Kentucky Basketball Team

Published

4 days ago

on

June 8, 2026

By

Kentucky basketball's new-look roster has its numbers. See every player's jersey assignment for the 2026-27 season and what it means for the Wildcats.

It’s been an exciting weekend for Kentucky basketball. In addition to Mark Pope getting a commitment from his highest-ranked prospect in his career, 2027 top-10-ranked wing Ryan Hampton, this coming season’s roster arrived on campus this weekend.

As they prepare to get their first workouts in the Joe Craft practice facility, with practice set to start later this month, player lockers are ready for them. In a social media video posted by assistant coach Mo Williams, player numbers were revealed for this upcoming season.

Of the returnees, Braydon Hawthorne is the sole player to make a change in number, choosing #2, the number he wore in high school and was taken by Jasper Johnson last season.

Advertisement

As for the incoming players, the majority of them are wearing numbers that have been worn in recent seasons. However, Ousmane N’Diaye is choosing #19 and will be the first player since Willie Rouse in 1954 to sport the number.

Player numbers listed below:

  • Zyon Hawthorne #0
  • Jerone Morton #1
  • Braydon Hawthorne #2
  • Kam Williams #3
  • Mason Williams #4
  • Zoom Diallo #5
  • Trent Noah #9
  • Alex Wilkins #10
  • Franck Kepnang #11
  • Ousmane N’Diaye #19
  • Justin McBride #21
  • Milan Momcilovic #22
  • Malachi Moreno #24
  • Reece Potter #33

Also posted on A Sea of Blue.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

BB Recruiting

Kentucky Earns Commitment From No. 6 Prospect in 2027 Class Ryan Hampton

Published

5 days ago

on

June 7, 2026

By

Photo via UK Athletics


How about a Sunday boom in the recruiting world for you BBN? 

Ryan Hampton, the No. 6 overall prospect in the 2027 class, has officially committed to the University of Kentucky! This is Mark Pope’s first top-10 prospect that he’s earned a commitment from.

Hailing from Rockwall, Texas, Hampton recently took an official visit to campus with his family, which began on Friday, June 5 and spilled into Sunday, June 7, his commitment day. 

Advertisement

The five-star wing averaged 21.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game during the most recent EYBL Circuit, playing for LivOn and Nightrydas.

Hampton was the first recruit in the 2027 to officially visit with the Wildcats, and now he’s the first to call their shot early and choose the blue and white. 

Pope has signed Milan Momcilovic, the No. 2 ranked transfer, and Hampton, his first top-10 high school prospect just in the past week.

It’s been a crazy week for recruiting, with the narrative around Pope’s ability slowing fading as the top guys continue to be attracted to the Kentucky brand. 

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Men's Basketball

Rankings Roundup: Where Kentucky Basketball Stands After the NBA Draft Deadline

Published

1 week ago

on

June 5, 2026

By

ESPN, CBS, FOX, and other national media have all released Kentucky basketball preseason rankings after the NBA Draft deadline. Here's the full breakdown — and what it means for BBN.
IMAGN

Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats have been a hot topic of debate this college basketball offseason.

Things didn’t start off great, as Kentucky only had two commitments for the first three weeks of the portal period and missed on multiple targets, including Rob Wright and Donnie Freeman. That gave opportunity for critics to voice their opinion on Mark Pope and his roster building, including the national media.

There are certainly valid criticisms, such as the pursuit of Tyran Stokes, despite all signs pointing to him signing with Kansas, which he ultimately did, for months. In the weeks since, Kentucky has recovered to build a roster that has even upgraded in some areas from last season. They retained Malachi Moreno and finished with the second-ranked portal class, which features Milan Momcilovic, one of the best players in the portal.

Advertisement

Let’s see where the national media has the Wildcats at this point in the offseason.

EvanMiya

Roster Ranking Range: 8-13

ESPN

17. Kentucky Wildcats

Previous ranking: Unranked

Momcilovic’s commitment dramatically changes the Wildcats’ 2026-27 outlook, giving them the best shooter in the country and a legitimate focal point on offense. Transfer guards Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins are both dynamic off the dribble, and Momcilovic’s gravity and spacing will make them far more effective. Malachi Moreno‘s decision to withdraw from the NBA draft was another massive boost for Pope; Moreno is a potential first-round pick at this time next season. International prospect Ousmane N’Diaye and returnee Kam Williams should battle for a starting spot. The offensive potential of this group is as high as any team in the country.

Projected starting lineup

Advertisement

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

17. Kentucky

Previous Ranking: NR

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.

FOX Sports

25. Kentucky

Previous Ranking: NR

Advertisement

Big Blue Nation was starting to worry that Kentucky wouldn’t have a top-25 roster. The late addition of Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic changes that. He was the top-ranked transfer available in May, and Kentucky landed him.

The retention of Malachi Moreno, who averaged 8 points and 6 rebounds per game last season, is also huge. He’s due for a breakout year. A projected starting five of Zoom Diallo, Alex Wilkins, Momcilovic, Ousmane N’Diaye, and Moreno looks very solid and should have Kentucky firmly in the top-25 conversation.

Aaron Torres

15. Kentucky Wildcats

Key Returnees: Malachi Moreno, Kam Williams, Braydon Hawthorne (redshirt), Trent Noah
Key Additions: Milan Momcilovic (transfer), Zoom Diallo (transfer), Alex Wilkins (transfer), Justin McBride (transfer), Jerone Morton (transfer), Franck Kepnang (transfer), Ousmane N’Diaye, Mason Williams, Zyon Hawthorne
Key Departures: Otega Oweh, Jayden Quaintance (NBA Draft), Collin Chandler (transfer), Jaland Lowe (transfer), Brandon Garrison (transfer), Denzel Aberdeen (transfer), Jasper Johnson (transfer), Mo Dioubate (transfer), Andrija Jelavic (transfer)

It took Mark Pope a little longer to finalize his roster than anyone (including Mark Pope) would’ve hoped. But he has his team, and I’ve got to say: I think it has a chance to be really good. And transparently, the pieces fit much better than they did a year ago.

Advertisement

The big splash was the most recent one, as the Wildcats added transfer star Milan Momcilovic. The former Iowa State star averaged 16.9 points on nearly 49 percent three-point shooting this year and should be able to continue to put up big stats in Pope’s system. Malachi Moreno could be a national breakout star after a productive freshman season and a very productive NBA Draft cycle where he was talked about as a buzzy, fringe first-round pick. And I personally believe the transfer backcourt of Zoom Diallo (Washington) and Alex Wilkins (Furman) fits better than most.

Finally, don’t sleep on returnees Kam Williams and Braydon Hawthorne (who redshirted this past year) as high-upside wings that can knock down shots.

For all the criticism of Pope this off-season — including by me

Also posted on A Sea of Blue.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Trending