The final buzzer has sounded on a challenging Kentucky basketball season, and now all eyes are on the offseason's most unpredictable event: the Transfer Portal.
With the portal window opening soon, Coach Mark Pope and his team face some big decisions. It's not uncommon for players to say one thing in the heat of a season-ending loss and do another later.
But right now, we have their initial reactions. As the Wildcats pack their bags, here's what players had to say about returning to Lexington next season after their loss to Iowa State.
The Non-Committal Core
When emotions are still raw, players often sidestep questions about their future. It's understandable-they're human, and there's a lot at stake. But some responses carry more weight.
Collin Chandler, a key player Pope wants to build around, was non-committal. "That’s not what I’m thinking about right now," Chandler said. "I’m grateful for this season, for this team, and I hope we can celebrate the memories and relationships we made."
Freshman guard Jasper Johnson shared similar sentiments, focusing on his teammates rather than future decisions. "I'm not really thinking about it right now... just talking to all of my friends on the team."
Trent Noah, whose future role is debated, was blunt: "I mean I have spent 0 seconds thinking about that."
Weighing the Draft and Final Eligibility
For some Wildcats, the decisions go beyond the portal.
Malachi Moreno, another cornerstone for Pope, is contemplating the NBA Draft. "There’s a lot of thoughts in my head," he said.
"After a couple days, I’ll process it with my family and make a decision." He emphasized that any draft decisions will involve family discussions.
Mo Dioubate, entering his final college year, is focused on development. "This is something I'm going to be in the gym for every day.
It's my last year of college, so this is it... I still have time to think about my decision."
The "Plan on Staying" Crowd
While some players dodged the question, a few Wildcats were clear about their intentions, though mutual interest is key.
Brandon Garrison was definitive: "Yes, for sure," he said about returning.
Kam Williams also expressed a desire to return. “Yeah, that’s the plan," he noted. "I love it here, so definitely I would love to be back."
Andrija Jelavić spoke passionately about his love for the fanbase and his hope to stay. "It's all about the moment," he said, "but I hope so."
Braydon Hawthorne confirmed his plan to return earlier this month, and Reece Potter affirmed that redshirting and returning was always his choice.
Jaland Lowe, too, confirmed his intention to stay. "I don’t think about leaving the team or the coaching staff. My plan has always been to come back."
As the saying goes, it takes two to tango. Now the ball is in Mark Pope's court. He emphasized that "retention" is crucial for this roster, and now he must work to keep the team together.