Kentucky Wildcats: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Mark Pope might have to look across the globe for a power forward

Power forward is the position that has sparked some issues for the Kentucky Wildcats so far in the transfer portal. Mark Pope and the staff went all in on Donnie Freeman and missed, which set off a snowball effect that led to them missing Sebastian Rancik.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Kentucky has added a new player to the 2026-27 basketball roster

On a week full of frustration for Big Blue Nation, finally, there is some good news as Braydon Hawthorne is officially back and will play for the Kentucky Wildcats next season, he announced.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / April 21

A school other than Kentucky and Kansas is making a push for Tyran Stokes

For months now, Mark Pope has been working his tail off to try to land the #1 player in the 2026 class, Tyran Stokes. This has been one of the most interesting recruitments we have seen in a really long time, as it has been quiet, and as of April 21st, Stokes still hasn’t made a decision, plus a commitment date is not set.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Yardbarker / April 21

Mark Pope might be under more pressure following Billy Donovan's decision

Kentucky coach Mark Pope might be under even more pressure following Billy Donovan's Bulls decision

Pope's seat just got hotter.

Billy Donovan linked to 2 teams after leaving Bulls

Billy Donovan opts out as head coach of Bulls

The 'Men's basketball national champion coaches' quiz

Mark Pope News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / April 21

Mark Pope and Kentucky need to hope these two players pull out of the NBA Draft

As the Donnie Freeman saga is officially over with him picking to play for Rick Pitino at Saint John’s next year rather than Kentucky, Mark Pope has to make a pivot.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / April 21

Where does Kentucky go from here in the frontcourt after missing on Donnie Freeman?

Big Blue Nation is incredibly frustrated this morning, knowing that last night the Kentucky coaching staff missed on Donnie Freeman, with him committing to play for Rick Pitino at Saint John’s.

College Basketball News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / April 20

This quote on Donnie Freeman's decision to pick St. John's will frustrate Kentucky fans

For the last few days, Mark Pope and the Kentucky coaching staff have been in a really good spot for Syracuse transfer forward Donnie Freeman, but this morning, things started to swing in the direction of St.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / April 20

Kentucky target Donnie Freeman has committed elsewhere

After an eventful weekend regarding Kentucky and Donnie Freeman, the forward has officially chose to go play for Rick Pitino and St. John's. Someone Mak Pope and the Widcats prioritized hard, Freeman is now heading elsewhere.

Mark Pope News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / April 20

The Donnie Freeman sweepstakes is heating up and Mark Pope needs to make a move

Things are coming down to the wire for power forward Donnie Freeman in the transfer portal, and things are not going great for the Kentucky Wildcats and Mark Pope.

Mark Pope News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / April 19

Mark Pope has two new transfer portal players coming to visit Kentucky next week

Mark Pope has officially landed two players in the transfer portal, as Washington point guard Zoom Diallo and Furman point guard Alex Wilkins have picked Kentucky.

Mark Pope News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / April 19

This 7'5 Kentucky native could be a perfect backup five for Mark Pope

The plan at center next season for the Kentucky Wildcats will be the return of Malachi Moreno. Last season as a true freshman, Moreno averaged 7.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 58.2% from the field.

Mark Pope News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / April 19

Missing on this PF in the transfer portal could be a good thing for Kentucky

Power forward has been one of the positions that Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats have to fill with Andrija Jelavic and Mo Dioubate gone. The two players that Pope has had on campus at the power forward position are Syracuse’s Donnie Freeman and Colorado’s Sebastian Rancik.

Mark Pope News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / April 18

Mark Pope and Kentucky have landed a future star point guard in the transfer portal

Mark Pope has been searching far and wide in the transfer portal to reload the Kentucky backcourt, which has lost every single player from last season.

Mark Pope News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / April 18

Will Mark Pope and Kentucky get involved with the best shooter in the transfer portal?

Mark Pope is starting to make some moves in the transfer portal, but one of the things that this roster still needs a ton of is three-point shooting. Obviously, shooting wasn’t elite last season, and the Wildcats lost their best three-point shooter as Collin Chandler has gone home to play for BYU.

Mark Pope News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / April 17

Where do things stand between Kentucky and star PF transfer Donnie Freeman?

Currently, Mark Pope and Kentucky only have one player committed in the transfer portal, and that is Washington point guard transfer, Zoom Diallo. The Wildcats are in desperate need of some forwards in the portal, and Kentucky’s number one target is Donnie Freeman.

Mark Pope News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / April 17

Mark Pope has targeted a new forward in the transfer portal

There are multiple positions on the floor for Kentucky that will need a full revamp, and one of them is the entire frontcourt. Obviously, Mark Pope plans to have Malachi Moreno back once he tests the NBA waters and pulls his name out of the NBA Draft, but the Wildcats will still need a backup center and multiple power forwards.

Mark Pope News / The SportsRush / April 17

Kentucky misses on Rob Wright as point-guard focus shifts to Zoom Diallo

Mark Pope’s search for a transfer point guard hit a wall and found a solution in the same week. Rob Wright III pulled out of the transfer portal and returned to BYU on April 15, ending what had become one of Kentucky’s most closely watched recruitments this offseason.

Mark Pope News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / April 16

Tyran Stokes commented on Zoom Diallo's commitment to Kentucky

Mark Pope still has a long way to go to put together his 2026-27 roster, but yesterday evening, he landed his first commitment via the transfer portal.

College Basketball News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / April 16

Zoom Diallo's high school coach calls him an 'ultimate winner'

Kentucky basketball picked up their guy in Washington transfer point guard Zoom Diallo. The 6-4 guard took a visit to Lexington over the weekend and after going after both he and BYU's Rob Wright, Mark Pope and the staff zeroed in on the guy they want.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Kentucky Wildcats on SI / April 15

Kentucky needs to surround Zoom Diallo with the right guys

The Kentucky Wildcats have picked up their starting point guard in Washington transfer Zoom Diallo. This comes after an eventful last few days where Kentucky also targeted BYU's Rob Wright, that ultimately fell through, which led the Wildcats back to pushing hard for Diallo's services.

Mark Pope News / Yardbarker / April 15

Washington guard Zoom Diallo transferring to SEC powerhouse

Diallo entered the transfer portal after spending his freshman and sophomore seasons with the Washington Huskies.

Florida forward Alex Condon makes decision on 2026-27

College Basketball News / Athlon Sports / April 15

Kentucky Forward Predicted to Transfer to Rising College Basketball Team

Forward Mouhamed Dioubate was solid in his first season with the Kentucky Wildcats. The junior appeared in 31 games and made 10 starts, averaging 8.8 points (career-high), 5.5 rebounds and one assist.

College Basketball News / Stadium Rant / April 13

Explosive Week FOR Kentucky: Tyran Stokes + Rob Wright Take Center Stage

Kentucky Wildcats finds itself at a pivotal crossroads, and this week in Lexington could go a long way in defining what comes next. Elite prospects Tyran Stokes and Rob Wright both set to be on campus, the spotlight isn’t just bright it’s unavoidable.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Stadium Rant / April 13

Kentucky Wildcats Land Future Powerhouse QB Jake Nawrot In Major Recruiting Win

Will Stein is building up the Kentucky Wildcats. They are showing real signs that football is shifting toward something sustainable and dangerous in the SEC.

Kentucky Wildcats News / Yardbarker / April 8

Kentucky to lose guard Collin Chandler to NCAA transfer portal

Collin Chandler had a strong season for the Kentucky Wildcats. He also became a fan favorite in Lexington for his ability to put up monster dunks. Big Blue Nation will certainly hate to see Chandler go, but that's exactly what is expected to happen.

Kentucky's Mouhamed Dioubate needs to find right fit in transfer portal

Cal guard Justin Pippen, Scottie Pippen's son, enters transfer portal

Kansas State's PJ Haggerty enters transfer portal again

The 'Men's basketball national champion coaches' quiz