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Men's Basketball

Two Top 10 Recruits Include Kentucky in Final Choices

Ahead of the 2025-26 season, Mark Pope and Kentucky have found their way into the final three for two top recruits in the following class.

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8 months ago

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Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope
Chet White | UK Athletics

In his second season at the blue and white helm, Mark Pope has pieced together one of the nation’s most exciting rosters for the 2025-26 season. Highlighted by the return of Otega Oweh and a band of upperclassmen transfers, some with more to prove than others, the latest iteration of Rupp Arena’s home team has more than earned their preseason #9 ranking, at least on paper.

But before that team even tips off, Pope and Kentucky are already in the final stretch of dual recruitments races for two of the nation’s biggest names.

Tyran Stokes

At the top of the list – only because he’s the top-ranked player in the nation – is incoming forward Tyran Stokes. Having made a widespread name for himself for his NBA-suited build and elite ball-stopping sensibilities, Stokes’ crown as the most sought after player in the 2026 class remains relatively uncontested as the group dwindles down and commitments fall into place.

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Kentucky has long been rumored as a leader in the forward’s recruitment, and now, according to an announcement from Stokes himself on X (Twitter), the Cats have made his final three options alongside the Oregon Ducks and Kansas Jayhawks.

Having been defined thus far by in-state recruitment and a focus on top transfers, Stokes’ potential commitment to Kentucky would represent Pope’s biggest grab in his young tenure as the head coach by far.

Given the 2026-27 class having not come together in Lexington just yet, adding the top player in the pool as your first official addition would be the best possible way to start.

Christian Collins

Adjacent to the aforementioned Stokes if forward Christian Collins who, while playing a similar game, brings his own positives and reputation to the recruitment table.

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Also a top-10 recruit in next season’s class, the five-star is down to Kentucky, USC and UCLA, according to a report from On3 insider Joe Tipton on X:

Renowned for his length and defensive prowess, having averaged 8.3 rebounds and two blocks on the EYBL summer circuit, Collins’ 6’8 frame presents a player ready to make an immediate physical impact on both ends of the court.

For a Wildcats team situated in the nation’s most physical conference, the SEC, this is the sort of invaluable add that can make or break a deep run; both in a conference tournament setting, as well as the one that takes place in March.

The Waiting Game

While commitment timelines for both players remain undecided for the moment, it shouldn’t be long before three hats hit their respective tables and a choice is made, one way or another. It’s unlikely that Kentucky gets both, but if either end up in Lexington, the big blue nation can expect droves of noise and attention to follow.

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Mark Pope and his staff are playing their hand heavily with two of the top players available, and one way or another, that’ll impact Kentucky’s program in a national light. Landing at least one, at this juncture in their respective recruitments, would do the trick and then some.

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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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Men's Basketball

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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