4-Point Play: Hitting a brief pause on the Kentucky roster
Trent Noah fell into Kentucky’s lap when he was granted his release from South Carolina, signing with the Wildcats just a day later to move the roster from nine to ten. The Harlan County star joins Travis Perry and Collin Chandler among freshmen while Amari Williams, Lamont Butler, Otega Oweh, Andrew Carr, Brandon Garrison, Koby Brea and Kerr Kriisa make up the incoming transfers.
The core is set with only three scholarships remaining — and one could be reserved for a late redshirt this summer or a second-semester addition in January. As for the others, Pope has made it clear what he’s looking for to close out the roster.
For starters, Kentucky will “probably try to add one more really, really shot-driven piece on that frontline, maybe somebody that will feel like a four or three,” the new head coach said on The Leach Report last week. Elsewhere, “there are some players that are taking a little bit longer because they’re fully engaged in draft workouts, and they’re trying to consider what path is going to be best for them.”
Among those names? BYU’s Jaxson Robinson, North Florida’s Chaz Lanier and Miami’s Wooga Poplar, who are all knee-deep in the draft process with a big week ahead at the G League Elite Camp and Draft Combine in Chicago.
Things will be a bit quiet regarding that top-end star talent until the dust settles there, but we do have one note on a name to keep an eye on, among other national leftovers. Let’s dig in today on 4-Point Play, shall we?
Chaz Lanier details draft process ahead of G League Elite Camp
The North Florida star and Kentucky target declared for the draft as an early entrant back in March and has since been invited to the G League Elite Camp scheduled for this weekend in Chicago (May 11-12). Top performers there will then be moved into the Draft Combine pool — a similar position for Antonio Reeves last offseason, who ultimately decided to return to school.
What is Lanier looking for as he works out for teams and tries his luck at the NBA ahead of the May 29 withdrawal deadline to maintain his eligibility?
“It’s all new for me and my family. It’s all God, it’s all a blessing. It’s all brand new for me and my family, so I’m enjoying the process and staying where my feet are planted. I’m truly enjoying every day,” he told Stephen Gillaspie of No Ceilings. “Just based off the numbers and my film, you know that I can shoot the ball. I really want to put my defense on display — I’ve really been working on my defense this pre-draft process. Also, my playmaking ability, coming off of screens and getting others involved. I was really known for my scoring, and I really want to put my passing and playmaking abilities, being dynamic with my dribbles all on display.”
Lanier averaged 19.7 points on 51.0% shooting, 44.0% from three and 88.0% at the line in his breakout season for the Ospreys. A true scoring star in college, he immediately emerged as one of the top players in the portal when he entered on April 24.
Whether it’s a college or pro team depending on how the draft process wraps up, he’s ready to be an impact piece both on and off the floor.
“I’m a versatile guard. I can really shoot the ball and use my athleticism to get downhill,” Lanier said. “But, most importantly, you’re getting a genuine guy who loves the game and who really just love people and supporting people — a true servant. You’re going to get somebody who gives 100% effort every day and who is a true dog. I stay down for everything I have, and I’ve earned it. And I give glory to God.”
The 6-4 guard is thought to be down to Kentucky and Tennessee should he decide to withdraw. Can Mark Pope pull off the major recruiting win for Lanier?
NCAA approves unlimited official visits
Pope had to be calculated in his approach to the portal when he first arrived in Lexington, a full roster to fill with a limited number of visitors allowed each cycle. He couldn’t bring just anyone to town for Keeneland trips and Jeff Ruby’s dinners — schools had been allowed only 28 officials over two-year periods, this one dating back to 2023. The hit rate had to be high.
Until now, conveniently after the bulk of Kentucky’s roster has been filled.
The Athletic broke the news Thursday that a blanket waiver has been approved by the NCAA to allow an unlimited number of official visits, effective immediately. It was recommended by the men’s and women’s basketball oversight committees due to the current portal climate with roster construction an absolute disaster across the sport. With so many teams having so many holes to fill — like Kentucky — the NCAA had no choice but to abort mission on the current setup, granting complete freedom regarding visitors.
According to the report, the waiver may turn into legislation if two pending legislative proposals are adopted by the Division I Council in June. As things stand currently, the waiver is set to run through July 31, 2025.
Blasts from the past make portal moves
Cam’Ron Fletcher announced his commitment to Xavier on Wednesday following a three-year stint at Florida State and opening his career at Kentucky in 2020-21 — better known as the season we all try to forget. He joined fellow 9-16er Devin Askew making a stop away from a stop, the latter taking his talents to Long Beach State after a two-year stint at Cal-Berkeley (and Texas the season prior).
Speaking of that season, Lance Ware and Dontaie Allen also hit the portal this offseason and remain uncommitted, the former coming from Villanova and the latter from Western Kentucky.
As for this past group and its transfer moves, Aaron Bradshaw is now at Ohio State while Adou Thiero and Zvonimir Ivisic are with Coach Cal at Arkansas, followed by Joey Hart to Ball State and Jordan Burks to Georgetown. DJ Wagner and Ugonna Onyenso are both still available with the former visiting Fayetteville this weekend and the latter testing the draft waters.
As for other past Wildcats still fighting the good fight at their post-Kentucky locations, Daimion Collins remains at LSU while Bryce Hopkins is at Providence.
Frank Vogel is a free agent head coach
Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns were swept by Karl-Anthony Towns and the Minnesota Timberwolves in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs in April. The result? A familiar name getting canned as head coach.
Frank Vogel, who was a student manager and junior varsity player — yes, that was a thing — at Kentucky under Rick Pitino, was fired after just one season in Phoenix. He led the Suns to 49 wins, accomplished just twice before dating back to 2010-11, but it wasn’t enough to keep his job following a disappointing postseason finish for a team with the third-highest payroll and tax in the NBA.
Mike Budenholzer, most recently of the Milwaukee Bucks in 2022-23, has emerged as an early favorite to replace Vogel in Phoenix.
Will he be the coach to help lead Booker to his first NBA title?
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