Kentucky Wildcats basketball transfer portal target tracker
With the 2023-24 college basketball season coming to and end, which means it’s transfer season. The transfer portal is already loaded with players looking for new homes for next season.
The Kentucky Wildcats have already had one player enter the transfer portal, and could wind up with a few more entering their names soon. They have also been reaching out and making contact with players who have already entered the portal.
In today’s college basketball world, rosters change from year to year, and good teams have to be able to use the transfer portal to their advantage. Name, image, and likeness money further complicates matters.
John Calipari had begun to contact potential transfers to Kentucky, but with the coaching change, lots of things will be different. Some targets could change, some new targets may show up. Mark Pope will bring a different outlook on the transfer portal.
Here is a running list of players connected to Kentucky in the transfer portal and their remaining eligibility. It will be updated as more information becomes available, as players make commitments, and as current Wildcats make decisions.
Aidan Mahaney – Saint Mary’s (Two years)
Getting some quality guards into the program will be very important for Pope, and Aidan Mahaney would be a good one. He’s a terrific three-point shooter who averaged 14 points per game for Saint Mary’s in each of his two seasons there.
Sean Pedulla – Virginia Tech (One year)
Sean Pedulla is the first of a couple of former Virginia Tech players Kentucky has contacted. The 6’1″ guard averaged 16 points per game for the Hokies last season. He would provide a veteran guard who can handle the ball in March, wish is something Kentucky missed this year.
BJ Freeman – Milwaukee (One year)
One of the country’s leading scorers, BJ Freeman averaged over 21 points per game last year. Pope wouldn’t need him to maintain that pace, but his leadership at the guard position would be valuable. Guards are important in the NCAA Tournament, and Freeman could be a difference-maker.
Update: Signed with Arizona State
Clifford Omoruyi – Rutgers (One year)
The Cats love having size on the inside, and Clifford Omoruyi has that. He’s 6’11” and 240 lbs, and averaged 10 points and 8 rebounds last year. Last season, Kentucky had lots of size, but little experience, so getting a veteran big man could be a big help.
Tyler Nickel – Virginia Tech (Two years)
Forward Tyler Nickel didn’t put up gaudy numbers last season, but he did shoot well from three-point range, and was a key player off the bench for Virginia Tech. He averaged over 8 points per game and is the kind of player that fits on any team.
Update: Signed with Vanderbilt
Meechie Johnson – South Carolina (One year)
Meechie Johnson was part of the reason South Carolina beat Kentucky this season. The guard would provide the Cats with a proven leader and a veteran capable of handling the pressure of playing games on the biggest stages.
Update: Signed with Ohio State
Jordan Ivy-Curry – UT San Antonio (One year)