Top 25? Top 15? National Media on the Impact of Jaxson Robinson's Commitment to Kentucky

It took a little longer than fans may have liked, but Jaxson Robinson is a Kentucky Wildcat. The news that the former BYU star was pulling his name out of the NBA Draft and following Mark Pope to Kentucky broke shortly after lunchtime, a welcome addition to a roster that needed another big piece. Before Robinson’s announcement, Kentucky was on the cusp of most preseason Top 25s. With the Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year in the fold, most college basketball writers have moved the Cats up, some as high as the top 15.

“Kentucky getting Jaxson Robinson is EXACTLY what Mark Pope needed,” Jeff Goodman tweeted. “Now the ‘Cats have a guy who can go make a play and get a bucket. I think they are a lock Preseason Top 25 team now, maybe even Top 15’ish.”

Kentucky getting Jaxson Robinson is EXACTLY what Mark Pope needed.

Now the ‘Cats have a guy who can go make a play and get a bucket.

I think they are a lock Preseason Top 25 team now, maybe even Top 15’ish.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) May 30, 2024

Aaron Torres went even further, arguing that Kentucky’s roster is on the cusp of the top 10 and can win the SEC.

Kentuckys roster includes:

* Four players who averaged double figures in Power 5 last year
* The best shooter in the portal
* The best defensive guard + big in the portal
* A McDonald's All American back-up center

If that isn't a Top 10-15 team, I don't know what is

— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) May 30, 2024

Been traveling, but quick reaction to Jaxson Robinson committing to Kentucky

I'll be blunt, I just dont understand how you can argue this is anything other than a Top 10-15 in the country with the pieces UK has put together.

Now please @CoachMarkPope let me enjoy vacation 🏀🏖 pic.twitter.com/JanmnK32ih

— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) May 30, 2024

ESPN’s Jonathan Givony had Robinson No. 66 in his NBA Draft prospect rankings and said he wasn’t a lock to be selected. A year under the spotlight at Kentucky could change that. Last season, Robinson averaged a team-high 14.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists for BYU, shooting 42.6% from the field and 35.4% from three-point range en route to Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year honors. A three-level scorer, Givony believes Robinson could be the center of Mark Pope’s first Kentucky squad.

“Robinson now has a chance to be the go-to guy on what should be a preseason top-25 team in Pope’s first season. He’s the ninth transfer addition this spring, as Pope took over a roster with zero returning players and only one recruit committed. He’s likely to operate on the wings alongside Oklahoma transfer Otega Oweh and Dayton transfer Koby Brea, leading the way for one of the best shooting teams in the country.”

This morning, CJ Moore ranked Kentucky No. 24 in his preseason Top 25 for The Athletic, calling the Cats “a team full of really good complementary players without a star.” Robinson’s news changes that, he wrote on Twitter.

Wrote today it felt like Kentucky didn't have a star. Here's the star. And more shooting for Mark Pope. https://t.co/JKzmnUrUz1 https://t.co/6UpUck2PKo

— CJ Moore (@CJMooreHoops) May 30, 2024

Rob Dauster isn’t quite ready to call Robinson a star but said the addition gives Kentucky a “loaded” roster of shooters, veterans, and defenders.

Jaxson Robinson withdrawing from the draft and committing to Kentucky is a big one.

All of a sudden, the Wildcats have a roster loaded with shooters, veterans and a could of lockdown defenders. A little concerned they lack a star, but I think there is enough there to make up for…

— Rob Dauster (@RobDauster) May 30, 2024

We’ve got months to predict how Mark Pope’s first season will go; today’s news only amplifies the excitement. Check out more national media reactions below.

The Cats are gonna be fun. https://t.co/uAEgBdNPTA

— Trilly Donovan (@trillydonovan) May 30, 2024

Wow. That’s a big big move for Mark Pope’s squad. https://t.co/9jI2TZUupl

— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) May 30, 2024

One more shooter for Mark Pope and Kentucky… this time the Big 12's reigning Sixth Man of the Year.

Big question with this group will be a lack of traditional shot creation… but the spacing will put a ton of pressure on defenses. https://t.co/z8KzeKqCaQ

— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) May 30, 2024

Want more Kentucky Basketball roster intel? Join the KSR Club for access to bonus content and KSBoard, KSR’s message board, to chat with fellow Cats fans and get exclusive scoop.