Mark Pope has already done a strong job reshaping Kentucky’s roster this offseason, and the addition that really pushed things over the top was Milan Momcilovic. That move lifted both the ceiling and the floor for this team, and it’s a big reason the Wildcats should be better than they were last season. Even so, there’s still one spot left to fill.
From everything Pope has said, it sounds like he intends to use it.
For a while, Kentucky fans were hoping that opening would go to Serbian star Nikola Kusturica. That now appears unlikely unless something unexpected happens, with Kusturica seemingly headed to UCLA. So the focus shifts back to Pope and how he should attack the final opening on the roster.
There are two obvious paths: add another guard or bring in another frontcourt piece. At one point, the guard route made a lot of sense. But with Mason Williams starting to take off and looking like he can help off the bench at the point, the need there feels less urgent now.
That changes the conversation.
The cleaner move, at least from here, is to use the spot on the frontcourt - and more specifically, on a backup center behind Malachi Moreno. Kentucky does have Franck Kepnang, and if the Washington transfer can stay healthy and stay on the floor, he’s the ideal option to spell Moreno.
The problem is that’s a major question mark. Over the course of his long college career, Kepnang simply hasn’t been able to stay healthy.
Pope has already taken a cautious approach by keeping him out of summer practice so he can be fully ready when the season starts. That makes sense. But it also underscores the risk: if Kepnang goes down, Kentucky would be in a tough spot at the five.
That’s why the final roster spot should be treated as insurance. Adding another center would give Pope protection in case Kepnang can’t hold up over the season. Realistically, that player would probably need to come from outside the country, since the portal doesn’t appear to have any remaining options who would be a major help.
It’s something worth watching in the months ahead.
In Other News...
Will Steins First Kentucky Season Just Got Even More Brutal
Will Steins first season in Lexington is already shaping up to be a grind, and the early read on Kentuckys 2026 slate only sharpens that reality. ESPN FPI has the Wildcats at No. 4 in the country for schedule difficulty, a brutal backdrop for a coach trying to establish a new identity while navigating a league schedule loaded with Alabama, Texas A&M, South Carolina and a long list of other familiar SEC headaches.
The challenge is obvious, but so is the reason for some optimism around the program. Stein has already started to build momentum on the recruiting trail, including a promising 2027 class, and his track record at Oregon gives Kentucky reason to believe the long-term picture can improve even if the short-term road is steep. The question now is how much patience the Wildcats will need if the results in year one get tested by one of the toughest slates in the sport. [Read more 🡒]
Mark Pope Just Added Fuel To Kentuckys Biggest Rotation Debate
Trent Noahs sophomore season at Kentucky never quite got off the ground the way some around the program expected, with his shooting wavering even as his rebounding and defensive effort continued to stand out. John Calipari had already pointed to Noahs impact on that end of the floor during preseason camp, and the conversation around him has only grown louder as fans debate how much run he should get this season, especially with the Wildcats looking for reliable help at the two spot.
Mark Popes latest comments only sharpened the discussion. He has been openly impressed with Noah through the first month of camp and sees a player whose value goes well beyond the box score, which is exactly why the rotation question has become so interesting. The remaining issue is whether Noah can make enough progress as a shooter and defender to turn all that praise into a real, every-night role. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Just Entered A Massive Battle For A Surging Elite Guard
Kentucky has jumped into the mix for one of the fastest-rising guards in the 2027 class, extending a scholarship offer to NaVarro Bowman Jr. after his recent surge on the national stage. The point guard helped lead the USA U17 National team to a gold medal, and his profile has only grown as major programs across the country continue to circle.
Bowmans recruitment is still in its early stages, but the list of suitors is already starting to look like a heavyweight fight. He is lining up official visits to Arizona and Texas, with North Carolina and Illinois also in the mix, giving Kentucky an immediate chance to make up ground in a race that figures to stay crowded for a while. [Read more 🡒]