With Kentucky still holding one roster spot open, Mark Pope has some flexibility to work with - and a recent ruling has only widened the field. Judge Charlotte Sweeney of the U.S. District Court of Colorado granted a class wide preliminary injunction that will allow players who graduated high school in the 2022 class and used all four years of their college eligibility to receive another year.
That matters because the market just changed in a hurry. Plenty of players who thought they were out of eligibility are suddenly available again, and one of them is former Wildcat Denzel Aberdeen, who is back at Florida to use his final year. Pope left that last scholarship open on purpose, and this ruling is part of why.
So what should Kentucky target with that final slot? There are three clear areas that stand out.
The biggest need may be size and versatility in the frontcourt. There are real concerns about Franck Kepnang’s health, and his college career has already been marked by trouble staying on the floor.
If he misses time, Kentucky would be thin behind Malachi Moreno. A player who can handle the five but also has enough athleticism to play the four would give Pope and his staff some protection there.
Wing shooting is another obvious lane. Kam Williams is currently sidelined with an injury, and BBN is hoping he returns soon.
If he ends up missing time, adding a wing who can really stretch the floor would make plenty of sense. More shooting is never a bad thing on a Pope-coached team, so this feels like a natural area to explore.
Guard play was the concern that stood out most heading into the summer, but Mason Williams has started to ease that worry. With Zoom Diallo, Alex Wilkins, Jerone Morton, and Williams all able to handle the point, the position looks more stable than it did before. Still, it remains the least of the three priorities Pope could choose to address if he decides he wants another ball-handler in the mix.
In Other News...
Bombshell NCAA Ruling Could Reopen A Door Kentucky Thought Closed
A fresh NCAA court ruling has created an unexpected wrinkle for college basketball rosters across the country, and Kentucky is among the programs now watching closely. Judge Charlotte Sweeney of the U.S. District Court of Colorado granted a class-wide preliminary injunction that requires the NCAA to declare eligible all high school class of 2022 athletes who exhausted four seasons of eligibility this spring, opening the door for another year of college play if they want it.
For Kentucky, the practical impact could go beyond simple eligibility. Those players are also allowed to enter the transfer portal, which gives them another layer of flexibility as rosters and lineups continue to shift. The ruling may also touch some athletes who already signed professional contracts, though how it applies in those cases is still unclear, leaving plenty of room for programs to sort through the fallout. [Read more 🡒]
Jerone Morton Gives Kentucky A Backcourt Presence Fans Will Appreciate
Jerone Morton arrives at Kentucky with the kind of background that tends to resonate in Lexington. A senior guard from Winchester, he is expected to provide depth behind the Wildcats starting backcourt of Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins, and he brings plenty of experience with him after appearing in 92 career games and making 51 starts. For a team that always values backcourt steadiness, Morton looks like a useful piece who already understands what it means to wear the jersey.
Morton has also made it clear he is comfortable embracing whatever role Kentucky needs from him, whether that comes on defense or offense. There is a natural appeal in the fact that he grew up supporting the program, because the opportunity is not just another stop for him, it is a chance to contribute to the team he followed as a kid. That combination of local roots, experience and willingness to help could make him one of the more appreciated additions to the rotation. [Read more 🡒]