Alex Wilkins is already giving Kentucky fans something to dream on, and the Shai Gilgeous-Alexander comparisons are only getting louder.
That kind of buzz is nothing new in Lexington. Kentucky has long been a place where player comps travel fast, especially when a new face flashes enough skill to make people start connecting dots. In Wilkins’ case, the nod he’s drawing is about as flattering as it gets.
Mark Pope said last month that Wilkins had "SGA" vibes, and the Kentucky Men’s Basketball X account brought that idea back into the spotlight on July 21, 2026. The post featured a clip of Wilkins slipping past Reece Potter with a smooth move before finishing at the rim, paired with the caption, "[Alex Wilkins] looking a little familiar."
The reaction from Big Blue Nation was immediate. When a player gets mentioned in the same breath as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - a two-time NBA MVP and NBA Champion - Kentucky fans are going to lean in. Casey of Bleed Blue Network wrote, "I need more Alex Wilkins highlights," a post that drew 160+ likes, while KSR’s Brandon Ramsey pointed to Wilkins’ ability to create his own shot as a "HUGE offensive luxury" this season.
There’s a real reason the comparison has traction. Wilkins is listed at 6-foot-5 and 175 pounds, which puts him in the same neighborhood physically as Gilgeous-Alexander’s 6-foot-6 frame. SGA is the more physical player right now, but Wilkins has time to add strength as he settles in, and the SEC won’t leave much room for him to stay as is.
The scoring profile is where the parallel gets even more interesting. Wilkins won’t be asked to come off the bench behind Quade Green the way Gilgeous-Alexander once did at Kentucky, and that alone changes the picture.
In his freshman season at Furman, Wilkins averaged 17.8 points, 4.7 assists and two rebounds per game while carrying most of the offense. Even in an 82-71 Round of 64 loss to UConn, he still turned in 21 points and hit 50% from three.
That kind of production is exactly why Kentucky fans are already talking big. If Wilkins can make a leap in his sophomore season in Lexington, the ceiling is obvious. And if the SGA comparison turns out to be even partly right, Mark Pope may have a special one on his hands at Rupp Arena in his third year.
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Mark Pope came away from Kentuckys recent trip to Las Vegas viewing it as more than just a change of scenery. The Wildcats used the visit to connect with recruits, spend time around former players now in the NBA and get in some work in a setting that carried a little extra buzz. Pope also pointed to the value of the off-court time, with the group taking part in bonding activities and a few events around town that helped the roster keep building chemistry.
Pope said the trip gave Kentucky a chance to see familiar faces and strengthen ties across the program, while also putting the team in front of an audience that matters beyond college basketball. The practice setting itself had a different feel because of who was watching, and the Wildcats were able to mix basketball with the kind of shared experiences that can matter over the long haul. For a team trying to grow together quickly, Las Vegas offered a useful step in that process, even if the bigger takeaway still has room to develop. [Read more 🡒]
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The appeal is easy to see from Kentuckys side: Daughtry has looked like one of the class fastest risers, and performances like his 43-point outing in a double-overtime game only sharpen the attention around him. With Kentucky also working through a crowded backcourt board that includes Beckham Black, King Gibson, Nasir Anderson and Reese Alston, the next step will be watching which recruits start lining up visits and which names move from interest to something more concrete. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Fans Suddenly Have A Real Scoring Debate On Their Hands
Alex Wilkins arrives in Lexington with the kind of rsum that naturally changes the conversation around a lineup. The Furman transfer averaged 17.8 points and 4.7 assists as a freshman last season, and Kentucky is already treating him as one of the main engines of the offense. With his ability to create shots and set up teammates, there is a real sense that he can be more than just a useful addition - he can be a focal point.
Milan Momcilovic is part of that same discussion, which is what makes this such an interesting early-season debate for Kentucky fans. Both players are expected to carry major scoring responsibility, and Wilkins' next step as a three-point shooter could determine just how high his ceiling goes in blue and white. If he makes that jump, the Wildcats may not have to wait long to find out whether he can become the teams top scorer. [Read more 🡒]