Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports Things appear to be moving fast with Bamba, while Carr would be a great frontcourt option. We have two more names to monitor for Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats. According to Cats Illustrated’s David Sisk, Kentucky has reached out to Wake Forest center Andrew Carr. Meanwhile, Kentucky has not only reached out to Villanova guard TJ Bamba, but they are also on his list of six schools in consideration. The Louisville Cardinals, Oregon Ducks, and Florida Gators are among the other schools in the mix. Villanova transfer TJ Bamba tells @LeagueRDY he’s down to si ..read more

Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports Would be an extra player in a room that is facing some injuries. The last few days have been filled with the BBN tracking players in the transfer portal for the basketball roster, but now we also have to start paying attention to the football transfer portal as well. The Kentucky Wildcats are starting to look to round out their roster, and one position of need is the defensive line. With several players missing spring practice due to injury, Mark Stoops and his defensive staff are looking to find some bodies to help fill up the room, and it sounds like an FCS pr ..read more

Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports Aidoo is a high-profile transfer who would be a huge addition for Mark Pope. The Kentucky Wildcats are eyeing a familiar face as Mark Pope’s staff has reached out to Jonas Aidoo, a transfer from the Tennessee Volunteers, according to KSR’s Jacob Polacheck. Originally from Durham, North Carolina, Aidoo spent the last three seasons with the Vols, more than doubling his scoring in each season. Aidoo became a full-time starter for the first time last season, averaging 11.4 points per game. He’s also a strong rebounder, averaging 7.3 rebounds per game, seeing those alm ..read more

Dylan Ballard - A Sea Of Blue North Carolina and Arkansas are also in the hunt. The Kentucky Wildcats weren’t expected to keep anyone from last season’s roster after John Calipari left for Arkansas. While that still is the likely outcome, Adou Thiero hasn’t completely shut the door on a return. Per ESPN’s Jeff Borzello, Thiero has cut his list to five, which includes Kentucky. The Pennsylvania native also included Pitt, North Carolina, Arkansas, and Indiana. Thiero is testing the NBA Draft process, but the expectation is he’ll play at least one more season of college basketball. NEWS: Kentuc ..read more

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports Mark Pope is building a strong staff. Kentucky Basketball head coach Mark Pope is working quickly to finalize his coaching staff. So far, he has reportedly landed Cody Fueger, Jason Hart, and Mark Fox. Fueger was with Pope at BYU since 2019, while Hart was an assistant at USC from 2013-2021 and most recently coached the NBA G League Ignite from 2021-24. Fox — former Georgia Bulldogs head coach from 2009-18 — comes to Kentucky with his most recent stop at California from 2019-23. He and Pope date back to the early 90s when Pope was recognized as Pac-12 Freshman of t ..read more

Clare Grant/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK The most recent Mr. Kentucky Basketball winner is still deciding on his future in Lexington. For the second year in a row, the winner of the Mr. Kentucky Basketball award committed to their hometown school to play for the Kentucky Wildcats in Lexington. Reed Sheppard was stellar in his freshman season for Kentucky and has officially put his name in the upcoming NBA Draft. The most recent winner and State Champion, Travis Perry, was originally committed to Kentucky, but with the change in the head-coaching position in Lexington, Perry is still dec ..read more

Clare Grant/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK The newest head coach is working to build a strong roster in Year 1. With the Mark Pope era officially underway in Lexington, the newest head coach has started the process of putting together a roster for next season. According to Kyle Tucker, Pope has also been working to put together his staff with the Kentucky Wildcats. Tucker says he expects Cody Fueger to be brought on the staff very soon, while Pope is also bringing Mark Fox and Jason Hart to Lexington. Both guys have tremendous experience in the coaching and playing world. Back to the rost ..read more

Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports Two notable names are coming to Kentucky. Mark Pope’s first Kentucky Basketball staff is rounding into form. Cody Fueger has been confirmed as the first member of Pope’s staff, and we have two more names who are likely to join them in Lexington. Per The Athletic’s Kyle Tucker, Kentucky is set to add Jason Hart to one of the primary assistant coaching roles, while Mark Fox is set to take a Bruiser Flint-type non-recruiting role on the support staff. CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander confirmed the Hart news. RE: Mark Pope’s UK staff … Expect his longtime assistant, Cod ..read more

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports The Bears have drawn several predictions for the Duke Basketball standout. After Jeremy Roach jumped into the transfer portal, initial reports tabbed Arkansas, St. John’s, and Kentucky as the early favorites to land the transfer point guard from Duke. Now, according to Jeff Goodman, the Baylor Bears and Scott Drew are emerging as the favorites to land the senior guard. In addition, Baylor has received three predictions for Roach over at 247 Sports, including one from national recruiting guru Travis Branham. So it appears Roach is a no-go for Kentucky. Drew, of cour ..read more

Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports Together again. Earlier Thursday, it was reported that the Kentucky Wildcats tried getting Kenny Payne back to Lexington. That won’t be happening, as Payne is instead heading to Arkansas to rejoin John Calipari. Arkansas confirmed the hire Thursday evening. Nearly 20 years of coaching experience on the collegiate and professional levels. Let's welcome associate head coach @coachkennypayne pic.twitter.com/9aDbrwEkHH — Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball (@RazorbackMBB) April 18, 2024 Payne will team up with Calipari in Fayetteville after the two worked toget ..read more