In a significant shake-up for the Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball program, 11 players have departed following the transition from former head coach John Calipari to Mark Pope. This mass exodus includes a mix of NBA draft declarations, transfers, and graduations, reshaping the team’s roster for the upcoming season.
NBA Draft Declarations:
Reed Sheppard: The national freshman of the year declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.
Rob Dillingham: A projected lottery pick, Dillingham announced his intention to enter the NBA draft.
Justin Edwards: Once considered a potential top overall pick, Edwards declared for the draft despite a slight dip in his stock during the season.
Ugonna Onyenso: The sophomore center entered the NBA draft and is not expected to return to college.
Transfers:
Aaron Bradshaw: The former top-five recruit transferred to Ohio State after a challenging freshman season.
Zvonimir Ivišić: Following Calipari to Arkansas, Ivišić became the first commitment in the new era for the Razorbacks.
D.J. Wagner: Despite family ties to Calipari, Wagner entered the transfer portal and is exploring options, including a possible move to Arkansas.
Joey Hart: After limited playing time, Hart transferred to Ball State for increased opportunities.
Jordan Burks: The last to announce, Burks entered the transfer portal and is expected to join Calipari at Arkansas.
Graduations:
Antonio Reeves: The leading scorer for Kentucky last season, Reeves exhausted his college eligibility.
Tre Mitchell: A veteran presence, Mitchell also completed his eligibility after contributing significantly in his final season.
These departures mark a pivotal moment for Coach Mark Pope as he undertakes the challenge of rebuilding the Wildcats. The team is actively recruiting to fill the void left by these exits, aiming to maintain Kentucky’s competitive edge in the upcoming season.
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